“So Joshua said to the people of Israel, ‘How long will you put off going in to take possession of the land, which the Lord, the God of your fathers, has given you?..’
“So the men arose and went, and Joshua charged those who went to write the description of the land, saying, ‘Go up and down in the land and write a description and return to me...‘ So the men went and passed up and down in the land and wrote in a book a description of it by towns in seven divisions. Then they came to Joshua to the camp at Shiloh… And there Joshua apportioned the land to the people of Israel, to each his portion.” Joshua 18:3,8-10
More than half of Israel’s tribes had not yet been assigned land, and Joshua determined that they take responsibility for ownership. Get familiar with it, know its features and challenges, then I’ll guide you in possessing it. Don’t delay, rise from your waiting, and go! The Lord had brought them across the Jordan and would establish them there forever, but they needed to traverse it and settle in their portion.
To understand aspects of our personalities and character that need to be conquered, we need to be willing to assess their topography. It’s important for spiritual growth that we know the crevices where evil lurks, the plateaus that breed complacency, the breadth of potential as far as we can currently see. Describe them, own them, bring them to the Lord and turn them over to His authority to allot His order of conquest. He knows best what needs addressing first, He grants strength to battle pesky enemies, He matches task to ability and vice versa. (Joshua 17:17-18)
It’s also prudent to get acquainted with the riches and fruit of the Spirit we’ve been allotted in Christ so we can possess them to the full. As our days and unique identities, so is His strength. Searching out His treasury of wisdom, love, and spiritual power will avail us of our inheritance for application now and in the future. (Deuteronomy 33:25b; Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 1:3; Philippians 4:19; 2 Peter 1:3-4)
How well do we know ourselves? Do we gloss over character weaknesses and areas of grave temptation to put on a polished appearance? Have we fallen to Satan’s ruse of moral comparisons and dismissed sin habits as ‘just how I am and I’m not as bad as he’? Do we hurry through or neglect altogether time in thoughtful confession? To schedule and keep seasons of praise and earnest prayer does much to reveal and renew our heart inclinations.
And how familiar are we with our Savior? When are we going up and down in His word to take note of His attributes and comprehend His ways? Knowing who He is and all we own in Him exposes our needs and energizes spiritual vitality. How can we apply His choice and adoption to present identity insecurities, or riches of grace and wisdom to shame, fear, and confusion? We can delight in and cling to what we know. (Ephesians 1:4-12)
Lord, keep me rejoicing in all the land You’ve assigned, taking full possession of everything You have for me to understand, express, implement, share, and apply for fruitfulness to Your glory.
As the rain and snow 