March 17 – Reading 76

MARCH 17 – Reading 76

by Chris Rainey | March 17

“SAY NO TO SETTLING”
(Joshua 14:1 – 15:63 & 1 Chronicles 2:5-55; 4:1-23)

For Moses had given an inheritance to the two and one-half tribes beyond the Jordan...  – Joshua 14:3a

But the Jebusites, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the people of Judah could not drive out, so the Jebusites dwell with the people of Judah at Jerusalem to this day. –  Joshua 15:63

Don’t settle. Don’t finish bad books. If you don’t like the menu, leave. If you’re not on the right path, get off. — Unknown

Ever felt like you should do something, but ended up just settling? It happens to a lot of people. We give up on our dreams and goals for many reasons. We might be scared of the cost, the time, or the effort. Sometimes, we go for the easier option, even if it’s not the best, just because it seems doable. We settle for less than we really want.

This is what happened to the Israelites.

God had promised land to Abraham’s descendants almost 700 years earlier (Genesis 12:7).  It was a long and bumpy road, but they finally reached the promised land and defeated the Canaanites under Joshua’s leadership. After seven years of war, the land could finally rest (Joshua 14:15).

But along the way, they started settling for less. The tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh settled for land “beyond the Jordan” (14:3), which wasn’t even in the promised land. They made this choice without even seeing the promised land. They settled.  And at the end of chapter 15, the people of Judah couldn’t drive the Jebusites – a Canaanite people – out of Jerusalem, so they just let them stay, even though they had been commanded to drive them out. The Jebusites became a thorn in Israel’s side for years to come because the Israelites settled. There’s a price to pay when you settle.

Maybe you’ve decided to settle in your life, too. Maybe it’s time for all of us to say no to settling.

Application:
Be thankful for how Jesus loved us “to the end” (John 13:1), meaning to the full extent. He did not settle for less than the best for us even at the cost of his own life. 

Reflections:
What are some ways you have settled in your life? What are some opportunities you have right now to change the pattern of settling?

Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father, We come before You with hearts filled with gratitude. We thank You for the boundless love Your Son, Jesus, showed us. He loved us to the very end, to the full extent of His divine grace and mercy. We, like the Israelites, are prone to settle for less than Your best, Lord, but Jesus chose to endure the ultimate sacrifice for our sake. This is truly a gift. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.