Reading: Joshua 15
“But the people of Judah could not drive out the Jebusites,
the inhabitants of Jerusalem; so the Jebusites live with the people of Judah in
Jerusalem to this day.” Joshua 15: 63
Every detail of this land is marked out by boundaries
surrounding the people of Judah according to their families. They numbered
their cities and the villages attached to them. They supplied springs where
needed. Their borders were clearly marked out north—south—east—west, by rivers
and hills and wadis.
And yet still in the very center remained a tribe of
Jerusalem that they could not expel and so they stayed. As a reminder of their
limitations? Like Paul, was this to be a thorn in their side? Or because God
had His own plans of redemption for that tribe and only by living alongside the
people of Judah would they ever hear His truth?
Do these landmarks listed in such detail apply to us
spiritually as well? What boundaries surround us physically, spiritually or
vocationally? Perhaps we do not have literal landmark markings but we have a concrete
territory we abide in. Who or what is at the center? Which springs of water are
we drinking from?
Caleb’s daughter trusted him to provide for her and her
family, just as God had provided their homes and lands and rivers and
pastures. Do we trust or do we
question?
Lord, the questions explode almost to the point of collapse.
Please keep us in Your peace in the midst of friend and foe knowing that You
set our boundaries and are present in the midst of us. Give us Your wisdom that
we might live in the heritage You give us daily with confidence and compassion.
Psalm of Worship: Psalm 135: 12 & 14
“And gave their land as a heritage, a heritage to his people
Israel.”
“For the Lord will vindicate his people, and have compassion
on his servants.”
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