256 Joshua: Possessing the Land

After twelve chapters of action, miracles, and conquest, our journey through the book of Joshua enters a long stretch of mind-numbingly boring descriptions of towns and boundaries. What in the world could the division of the land into tribal territories have to do with us today?

In trying to answer that, I began to ask myself some questions: Why did God assign certain people to live in certain places? Was it simply to demonstrate His authority? Or could it be that He had bigger, Kingdom reasons for wanting them there?

In my pondering, I came to this conclusion: When it came to occupying ground for the Kingdom, the Lord assigned His people the territory where they could uniquely make an impact.

This idea of the Lord sovereignly placing people is carried over to the N.T. where we read that “God began by making one person, and from him came all the different people who live everywhere in the world. God decided exactly when and where they must live.” (Acts 17:26 NCV)

I want to suggest that the Lord might well do the same with you and me.  Could it be that, of all the places you could be living, you are in the exact place God wants you to be to make a Kingdom impact? What would it be like if, as surely as the tribes of Israel possessed their land, you and your tribe—your family— would possess your land? Your city, your zip code, your neighborhood, your street? How might you make a Kingdom impact in your land?

1.     Recognize that you have been given a land.

God has put you there as His representative. You have been given a land in which you are to represent the Kingdom of God. And, for good or for bad, you do.  It’s not a matter of if you will represent your King, but how you represent your King.  That leads to the next point.

2.     Honor the Lord in your land.

From the words we say to the attitudes we display to the actions we take, we are to glorify the One we represent.

3.     Pray for your land. 

Pray for the peace, prosperity, and people of your neighborhood. Take a prayer walk and intercede for individual homes. If there’s a nearby school, pray for it. Pray over the fire station.  Pray over the parks. Pray over governmental buildings.

4.     Engage with other believers in your land.

While you have been placed in a specific part of the land, you are likely not the only Christ-follower who has been placed there. God has given others that territory as well. Ask the Lord to show you who those people are, then look for ways to engage them in the mission.  

5.     Seek to impact the unbelievers in your land.

Jesus said, “You are the light of the world… let your light shine before others so they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Mt. 5:14-15) Be the kind of people your neighbors are glad to live beside. Serve with kindness and sacrifice, and pray for opportunities to have spiritual conversations with those in your land.

Text: Joshua 13-21

Originally recorded on November 6, 2016, at Fellowship Missionary Church, Fort Wayne, IN