By the time Joshua was ready to cross the Jordan, the Israelites had already occupied a great deal of territory east of the Jordan. This would be the inheritance of the Reubenites, the Gadites and half of the tribe of Manasseh. Although these tribes already had their land, they were not permitted to rest until their brothers had occupied their land west of the Jordan. They were instructed to first help their brothers and then they could go back and settle in their land. This is because the conquest was not about people getting what they wanted. It was about God getting what he wanted. It wasn’t about acquiring property, it was about establishing God’s Kingdom. And this was a task for everyone. No one was permitted to rest, even if their share was won, until everyone had what God wanted for them. If your prayers and efforts pertain only to your own acquisitions, then your perspective has become distorted. Even if you are focused on your own ministry calling, if you only focus on this, then you have become too narrow minded. Focus is good, but it needs perspective. Your task is part of the bigger Kingdom building endeavour. If your ministry endeavours are succeeding, therefore, do not rest there. Pray and help someone whose ministry is not succeeding. Otherwise you may use the failure of others to bolster your pride. And if you are failing, don’t be too proud to ask someone for help. All Christians in all churches must work together to see the Kingdom established in this world.
Pray for a church or ministry that is struggling.
Read Joshua 1:10-18
