And the children of Joseph spake unto Joshua, saying, Why hast thou given me but one lot and one portion to inherit, seeing I am a great people, forasmuch as the LORD hath blessed me hitherto? And Joshua answered them, If thou be a great people, then get thee up to the wood country, and cut down for thyself there in the land of the Perizzites and of the giants, if mount Ephraim be too narrow for thee. Joshua 17:14-15 KJV
The tribes of Joseph went to Joshua and complained about the size of their allotment of land. The problem was not their allotment was too small. The land allotments were not given by chance, or the whim of Joshua, but the will of God. The Lord had given each tribe what they needed to grow and live victoriously. The real problem was they were not willing to do what was required in order to take possession of it. There were trees to be cleared and enemies to be defeated. That is a point we too must often grapple with. We sometimes complain about what we have or don’t have. Usually that is not the problem at all. Usually, like the tribes of Joseph, we have failed to take possession of all God has given to us. Joshua instructed the tribes of Joseph to claim their inheritance by cutting down the trees and confronting the giants. To claim our inheritance we must do the same.
Lord, I often complain about what I do not have. Forgive me. It is a mark of ingratitude when you have given so much. Help me see all you have given and by faith take possession of it that I might enjoy the full blessing of your allotment in my life.
