Stopping Short
They said
(the sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad), “If we have found favor in your
sight, let this land be given to your servants as a possession; do not take us
across the Jordan (river).” (v.5)
How often
do WE stop short of God's revealed will for our lives? Stopping on our journey
of faith, substituting programs or in this case negotiating a deal, instead of
having simple, saving faith in our Lord and trusting in the intentions of our
God. We, like the sons of Ruben and the sons of Gad, stop short of crossing the
river.
So, what
happened to Gad and Reuben for going their own way? Gad was later taken captive
by Assyria and the Ammonites seized their lands and territories. A similar fate
awaited the Reubenites. The half-tribe of Manasseh settled near them but more
to the north, and they, too, were ultimately lost to captivity in Assyria. They
got what they wanted and then lost—everything.
What looks
good to us, what is attractive, what we can work out in some kind of
negotiation, is not necessarily what we need. What is in front of us may seem
desirable, but we cannot see the future. Only God can, because He is already
there.
The Truth
“By faith
Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive
as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.” (Hebrews
11:8)
