You Can Do More!

Today’s Verse:

And Joshua spake unto the house of Joseph, even to Ephraim and to Manasseh, saying, Thou art a great people, and hast great power: thou shalt not have one lot only: ~Joshua 17:17

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As Christians, we know the importance of being content. Contentment is when we are satisfied with everything in our life, good or bad, and giving God the glory for what He has entrusted to us. However, there are times when we should be stirred in our heart and determination to do more, pray for more, and work for more. This morning, let us see the importance of doing more than the minimum, more than the status quo, and more than what is expected. Let us see how and why we can do more.

We see a faulty perspective.

“And the children of Joseph spake unto Joshua, saying, Why hast thou given me but one lot and one portion to inherit, seeing I am a great people, forasmuch as the Lord hath blessed me hitherto?” The children of Joseph received their inheritance, but felt that their size and favor among the tribes should have entitled them to receive more than one lot. Like the children of Joseph, all of us can fall into the trap of comparing ourselves with others and feeling “deprived” of what we deserve. This faulty perspective presumes that we are deserving of more than what is given to us. Their question was fair, but it was also faulty. Let us be careful that we do not develop an entitlement mentality.

We see a faith persuasion.

“And Joshua spake unto the house of Joseph, even to Ephraim and to Manasseh, saying, Thou art a great people, and hast great power: thou shalt not have one lot only.” The children of Joseph said, “I am a great people.” Joshua replies to them that they were! First, God is firmly persuaded that we are a great people. We are great because He has given us the resources of Heaven at our disposal. Second, they needed a faith persuasion, that by faith and hard work, they could accomplish and gain more. We must always have a faith outlook. Without faith, it is impossible to please God. We must look ahead in faith. We must make plans in faith. We must pray in faith. Let us walk by faith and not by sight!

We see the favorable permission.

“And Joshua answered them, If thou be a great people, then get thee up to the wood country, and cut down for thyself there in the land of the Perizzites and of the giants, if mount Ephraim be too narrow for thee.” It was God’s will that the children of Joseph could attain more land. Joshua gave them permission to expand their inheritance. He described the area and commanded them to get up and cut down. God is pleased when we exercise faith. Like Joshua, God gives us the green light by telling us where and how we must proceed in order to take on more than what we have in our possession. God, many times, gives us enough to encourage us to do more than what we have done in the past.

We see a fervent performance.

“But the mountain shall be thine; for it is a wood, and thou shalt cut it down: and the outgoings of it shall be thine: for thou shalt drive out the Canaanites, though they have iron chariots, and though they be strong.” Joshua told them that the wooded, mountain area was theirs for the claiming. However, it was their responsibility to go up there, drive out the Canaanites who dwelt there, and cut down the trees. When God says yes, He expects us to get to work and make every effort to get it done. Faith must be put to work. Faith without works is dead. When there is a desire for more, it is time to do more. God blesses determination, diligence, and drive. When God gives you permission, be ready to roll up your sleeves and work for it.

Have a diligent God Morning!

Bible Reading Schedule: 2 Kings 18-19

#Determination #Foresight #Initiative #Joshua