“Stop Complaining – Get
Moving”
“And Joshua
answered them, If you be a great people, then get you up to the wood country,
and cut down for yourself there in the land of the Perizzites and of the
giants, if mount Ephraim be too narrow for you.” (v.15)
Joshua,
as a public person, had no more regard for his own tribe than of any other, but
governed without favor or affection. Here in our text he leaves us a good
example on how to do just that. Joshua rejects his own tribe’s request for
additional land and tells them that their share would be a sufficient lot for
them, if they would but work and fight.
Some
men today excuse themselves from labor by counting on others who able to
provide for them. But there is more real kindness in pointing out the
advantages within reach, and in encouraging men to work and make the best of
themselves, than in granting indulgences to those who don’t, but desire extravagance.
Therefore,
if we belong to Him, He will stir us up to our best endeavors and we will work to the glory of God. Then our coast
will be enlarged (1Ch 4:9,10), our complaints silenced, and our hearts turned
into joyful thanksgivings.
Take
a page from the book of Joshua and from his own example and encourage those
around you to work for what they want. Then watch as joy will fill their hearts.
The
Truth
“The ants are a people
not strong, yet they prepare their food in the summer.” (Proverbs 30:25)
