Taking Possession of the Land

Joshua 21:43–45

So the LORD gave Israel all the land He had sworn to give their fathers, and they took possession of it and settled there. The LORD gave them rest on every side according to all He had sworn to their fathers. None of their enemies were able to stand against them, for the LORD handed over all their enemies to them. None of the good promises the LORD had made to the house of Israel failed. Everything was fulfilled.

God’s Word was fulfilled. They took possession of the land.

Now, they had not taken possession of all of it. There were yet enemies to be driven from the land. The fact is: they never took full possession of all God promised to them… just as we have not taken full possession of all that God has promised us. Alan Redpath wrote:

“We have not taken possession of our full charter in Christ. Our deed promises so much more than we have experienced.”

Consider an example. The Bible says: “For His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3, HCSB). Wow! Really? Everything necessary for godly living! Are we living up to that promise? Are we experiencing in our day-to-day living what the Bible says is ours by right of redemption? Are we living each day a holy and fulfilled life?

I have a confession to make: Not me! There is still so much deeded to me in Christ that I have not taken possession of yet.

Are you as convicted as I am? Today may we take another step into what God has promised. May I venture to go today by faith where I have never been and claim what is mine by right of redemption. Leonard Ravenhill said: “One of these days someone is going to come along, pick up this Bible, read it, believe it, and put it into practice—and the rest of us will be ashamed!”