Prayer: Father, may I learn from those whose story is written about in the Chronicles. May I not be willing to settle for less than what You want for me. I am listening and ready to learn. Amen.
Reading: 1 Chronicles 5 key vs.: 23- 26 “Now the children of the half-tribe of Manasseh settled in the land from Bashan to Baal-hermon, Senir and Mount Hermon. They were numerous. These were the heads of their clans: Epher, Ishi, Eliel, Azriel, Jeremiah, Hodaviah, Jahdiel. They were mighty men of valor, famous men, heads of their clans. But they were unfaithful to the God of their fathers, and prostituted themselves to the gods of the peoples of the land whom God had destroyed before them. So the God of Israel stirred up the spirit of King Pul of Assyria—the spirit of Tillegath-pilneser king of Assyria—and he carried away the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh, and brought them to Halah, Habor, Hara and to the river of Gozan, to this day.” TLV
Attention: I want to set up a hypothetical situation with you. Let us say that you are a grandparent, and you bought a gift for your grandchild who lives in another state, but instead of having it shipped to their door, you provided them with the store name and address where it was awaiting their pick-up. Upon receiving your e-birthday or e-graduation card, they reply to you that they do not want the gift, if it requires them to pick it up. How do you feel?
Today’s account of the half-tribe of Manasseh is found in Numbers 32. Adonai has given Joshua the directive to march the Hebrew nation into Canaan land, their gift and possession. However, the half-tribe of Manasseh tell Moses, we are satisfied to stay in this land, located outside of His gift to all tribes of the Hebrew nation. Yes, they had to go into the land to obtain and receive the gift Adonai had promised Abraham. Yes, they were going to need to battle to obtain the land. Something which they were unwilling to do. They settled in the land bordering the promised land, which they felt was sufficient for them. How did God feel?
How many times have we acted the same way with God. He has promised us eternity if we will call on the name of Yeshua and follow Him the rest of our days. We say the prayer, but we refuse to give Him our whole heart and follow Him. We settle for less than His gift of eternity. We settle for less than a full relationship with Him. We forfeit His gift and say, this is good enough.
Action: I choose to accept Adonai’s best for me and His gift of salvation and eternal life.
Yield: I choose to submit to the plan of scriptures for eternal life with Adonai.
Engage: I choose to engage with the Holy Spirit in knowing God and experiencing relationship with Him.
Relationship: I choose to live in intimate, obedient relationship with Adonai.
Prayer: Father, I desire fullness of relationship with You. I desire to be in Your presence every minute of every day. Amen.
Memory Verse: Psalms 16:11 “You make known to me the path of life. Abundance of joys are in Your presence, eternal pleasures at Your right hand.” TLV
Music Video: Joe Nester—In Your Presence https://youtu.be/vNPHLcwhcnY?si=B0NtYl7RTOTgNqmd
Remember, “Abide in Yeshua, today!”