Friday, 12 September 2025
TAKE POSSESSION OF THE NATIONS
And Joshua said unto the children of Israel, How long are ye slack to go to possess the land, which the LORD God of your fathers hath given you? (Joshua 18:3).
The book of Joshua opens up a very important period in the Israelites’ journey. Remember that it was Moses who brought them out of Egypt, but it was Joshua who took them into the Promised Land. After many years of fighting and defeating 31 kings, Joshua brought the children of Israel into their place of inheritance.
The Bible says, “And the whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled together at Shiloh, and set up the tabernacle of the congregation there. And the land was subdued before them” (Joshua 18:1). The land was subdued before them, and they were at rest. They moved in happily and even set up church in Shiloh. The next verse, however, reveals that more than half of the tribes hadn’t taken over their inheritance even though it had been divided for them: “And there remained among the children of Israel seven tribes, which had not yet received their inheritance” (Joshua 18:2).
Joshua, at his old age, was concerned and asked, “...How long are ye slack to go to possess the land, which the LORD God of your fathers hath given you?” (Joshua 18:3). The Israelites knew where the land was because God had described it to them. Rather than possess it, they were content with squatting with their brethren and enjoying the peace.
God has given us the nations of the world, and it's important we don’t delay in possessing what already belongs to us. He said in Psalm 2:8, “Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.” We’ve asked and we’ve received. Don't wait for some special occasion to win souls. You're in that occasion now.
God has given you the land, that place where you are; what are you doing about it? Where are your outreaches? Where are the souls you’ve won to the Lord? It’s time to take evangelism to the next level. Whatever you want to do by way of winning souls, if you work with the Spirit, He’ll do mighty things with and through you. There's no country or city whose doors could be closed against us. When we move into a place, regardless of how small we start, the Word of God spreads and prevails. Hallelujah!
CONFESSION: I proclaim the Gospel everywhere with boldness and urgency, knowing that the Lord has given us all nations. No door can be closed against me for the Lord is mightily at work in me to declare His truth to the nations in demonstration of the Spirit and of power. Hallelujah!
FURTHER STUDY:
John 9:4; 2 Timothy 4:17; Deuteronomy 1:8; Numbers 33:53 NIV
1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: 2 Corinthians 11:16-33 & Ecclesiastes 1-2
2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Luke 22:35-43 & 1 Samuel 31