March 26, 2025 -What Did He Really Say

JOSHUA 12:7-15:19

Chronological Bible Readings

Joshua 13:6 “As for all the inhabitants of the mountain regions from Lebanon to Misrephoth Maim, that is, all the Sidonians, I myself will drive them out before the Israelites. Be sure to allocate this land to Israel for an inheritance, as I have instructed you, 7 and divide it as an inheritance among the nine tribes and half of the tribe of Manasseh.”

After review of all the lands that were already theirs God reviews with Joshua all the lands that He was still to give over to the Israelites. There is a list of all the ones that they are still to take over but these He says He will drive out on His own. We don't know why. He knows, they don't, so there is no questioning as to why He would do that. I am sure it is a relief to have some lands that they don't have to fight for but at the same time every time they went to war and won they were seen as a nation to be feared. I would think that there could be some pride in this and that some people would be disappointed that they did not get to fight for these lands. Could it be that God knew that it would be too difficult to fight a battle in the mountains? Could it be that there were things going on there that He was able to use to drive them out that would show His power even better? Could it be that there were some getting prideful who needed to remember that He is the one who is giving them their victories?

I could go on all day with could it be questions, but we just don't know. Now think about times when things don't go the way you would expect even when looked at it in light of God's word or what He has led you to. He told them He would give them the promised land and that no one would be able to stand against them. He didn't say they would go to battle against every land but after all these years and all these experiences the people could come to expect that to be true. We can also come to a place to expect something to be what we are supposed to do based on what we know and what we have experienced. When it doesn't work, we ask God, "Why did you let me down? You said.... This should have worked." But when you look back at what God actually said it isn't what you have turned it into in your head.

I was just praying about one of these situations. It is about Kino the young Haitian man in the Dominican Republic that I have helping for the last 2 1/2 years. When I met him in Punta Cana my heart went out to him to try to help him come to America. I spent time in prayer and shed many tears down there crying out to God to let me know what I should do. I felt God said that I should do whatever I can to help him and it was confirmed by my husband. He also told me that it would take time. So here I am today 2 1/2 years later with no change. 2 years ago there was hope because I was able to apply to be his sponsor to come to the United States. We were so excited and optimistic especially when people that Kino knows received approval and were able to come to the states. But we have heard nothing for over 2 years. There is no way to contact anyone there is no way to know if we did something wrong in the application process and we don't even know if it is still an active program. Every time I try to find information I am brought to tears in frustration and sadness. I cry out to God all the time. But today while praying I had the thought "what did God really tell you?". Then I read this and the post goes in this same direction. What He said was "Do what you can to help him." Not "Do what you can to help him come to the United States." I added the last part. I am not saying that God is not going to bring Him to America, but it's not my place to decide if, when or how. He drove out the people in the mountain lands for a reason many years after the promise. He didn't need the Israelites to do any of it. He doesn't need me to fight against anything that He is going to take care of. I don't know any of the "Could it be"s of this situation I just need to trust and obey.