Growth Takes Effort

The tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh were the descendants of Joseph, and they were large tribes with great power. When the land was distributed by lot, they did not feel their parcel of land was large enough. Therefore, Joshua told them to take over the mountain country like Caleb had done in Hebron and drive out the Canaanites who lived there, even though they were strong and had iron chariots. It was a difficult task to clear the forests and drive out the enemies, but they could do it with their effort and their trust in the Lord for His power and direction. (Joshua 17:17,18) Sometimes, we want the easy way, too, and we have to be encouraged to trust God and press forward to accomplish the difficult things in life. Then, when the job is done, there is great satisfaction.

What is difficult for you in your life right now? What do you think you need, but God is just not handing it to you? Could it be that He is asking you to put forth effort, so that your faith in Him grows and your spiritual strength is built up? That is how God works. He will not do for us what we can do for ourselves if we will trust Him in the process. We all need to learn this lesson, because it is why we have so many weak believers. They think that everything they need should be supplied by God on a silver platter. If God did that, we would never grow strong in faith and in knowing what He can do in and through us.

Tomorrow, I intend to read Joshua 18-20.