What steps can we take to ensure we follow God's plan for our lives? Setting the Scene Israel stands on the threshold of fully possessing the Promised Land. God tells Joshua: “Now therefore divide this land as an inheritance for the nine tribes and the half-tribe of Manasseh.” (Joshua 13:7) From this command we can draw clear, practical steps for aligning our lives with God’s plan. Principles Drawn from the Allocation of the Land • God’s plan is specific, not vague. • Each tribe (and each believer) receives a unique inheritance. • Obedience precedes enjoyment of the promise. • Divine guidance does not cancel human responsibility; it directs it. • God’s larger covenant purposes frame every individual assignment. Step 1: Acknowledge God’s Specific Instructions • Joshua did not invent a strategy; he followed God’s. • Proverbs 3:5–6: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart… He will make your paths straight.” • Listen to Scripture first, opinions second. Daily exposure to the Word clarifies God’s detailed will. Step 2: Accept Your Allotted Portion • Each tribe’s borders were fixed by God (Numbers 34:2). • Contentment guards against envy and discouragement. • Psalm 16:5–6: “LORD, You are my portion and my cup… the lines have fallen to me in pleasant places.” Step 3: Act in Faithful Obedience • Joshua had to measure boundaries, mark cities, record deeds—practical tasks. • James 2:17: “Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” • Move from hearing to doing; schedule, budget, and serve in line with what God has shown. Step 4: Walk in Unity with God’s People • No tribe could claim land meant for another; harmony preserved inheritance. • Ephesians 4:3: “Make every effort to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” • God’s plan for your life will never require trampling another believer’s calling. Step 5: Leave Room for God to Complete the Work • God promised, “I will drive them out” (Joshua 13:6). • We labor while trusting Him for results beyond our ability. • 1 Corinthians 3:6: “I planted, Apollos watered, but God caused the growth.” Step 6: Keep the Larger Covenant in View • The land pointed forward to a greater inheritance in Christ (Hebrews 4:8–9). • Ephesians 2:10: “For we are God’s workmanship… prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” • God’s individual plan always fits His grand redemptive story. Living It Out • Start each day with Scripture to discern specific guidance. • Thank God verbally for the “portion” He has assigned. • Take one concrete action that aligns with what you’ve learned. • Encourage another believer in his or her calling, strengthening unity. • Rest in God’s sovereignty, trusting Him to finish what you cannot. Following these steps positions us to experience the fullness of God’s purposeful, promised plan—just as each tribe did when Joshua faithfully divided the land. |
    |