King James Daily Bible Study: Be Content, But Look
Date: Saturday March 19, 2011
Chapters: Joshua 17-19
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com/bible-march-19
Details of Today's Reading: The division of the promised land continues for the remainder seven tribes of Israel and the tabernacle is set up in Shiloh.

Hello My Friend/Guest,
The word content is defined as to be satisfied with what one is or has, not wanting more or anything else. The Bible says, “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content...Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” - I Timothy 6:6-8,17-19.

The key to being content and seeing God give us all things richly through it, is following His commands. Think about it. A person is hired for a job and gets paid minimum wage, at first he is content with making minimum wage, but after a while he gets tired of it and wants more. If he wants to advance he must show an effort, do the labor needed. This does three things, it shows the employer that he is a hard worker to keep what he has, is willing to work to advance, and shows that he can be trusted with more responsibility. “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” - Hebrews 11:6.

I imagine that not one of us are doing today what we even imagined doing as a kid. I remember growing up wanting to be an artist, I even got accepted for a scholarship at an art school. Then when I got out of high school I did not go to art school, but a trade school and became an electronic technician. Today, I am a website designer and a Sunday school teacher. How those two would mix, I have no clue, but God does. God used my abilities to design websites to be used to serve Him, not only in reaching the lost with the Gospel via cyberspace, but keep them growing in their faith with Bible studies, knowledge, and encouragement to keep going. You see, if I had just been content with wanting to be an artist I would have never stepped foot in the world of computers, thus being here today. While God does want us to be content with what we have, He does not want us to be so content that we lose sight of our vision. The Bible says, “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” - Proverbs 29:18. It is good to be content with what we have, but we must look to see what other things God has in store for us.

The Israelites were on the promised land, each tribe was given a part of the land, which was divided by how many people were in the tribe. What the tribes did not account for was the people already dwelling in the land, not God or Joshua, the people. The command from God was to drive them out, the Israelites were not to dwell with the Canaanites. However, many of the tribes did not want to fight and were content to live among them, which caused problems for the smaller tribes.

“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. And the children of Joseph said, The hill is not enough for us: and all the Canaanites that dwell in the land of the valley have chariots of iron, both they who are of Bethshean and her towns, and they who are of the valley of Jezreel. And Joshua spake unto the house of Joseph, even to Ephraim and to Manasseh, saying, Thou art a great people, and hast great power: thou shalt not have one lot only: But the mountain shall be thine; for it is a wood, and thou shalt cut it down: and the outgoings of it shall be thine: for thou shalt drive out the Canaanites, though they have iron chariots, and though they be strong.” -Joshua 17:14-18.

Joshua was himself of the tribe of Ephraim, but was far from supporting the demands of his kinsmen, he tells them that they were given enough of the land to share amongst them, plenty of it, and if they fought for it like they were told to do then they would see that. God has much more to give us, but we must show Him that we are content and thankful with what we have first and follow through with what He asks us to do. We can do anything that God asks us to do, He never gives us anything that we can not handle, above all He strengthens us through Christ, “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” - Philippians 4:11-13.

In the midst of the division all the Israelites came together to set up the Tabernacle. “And the whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled together at Shiloh, and set up the tabernacle of the congregation there. And the land was subdued before them.” - Joshua 18:1. The setting up of the Tabernacle in Shiloh gives a hint of the coming Shiloh (Christ) of whom Jacob had spoken. “The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.” - Genesis 49:10. When Jesus returns all who are His will gather together, Jew and Christian alike will become one nation lead by our King of kings. “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” - I Thessalonians 4:16,17.

God has me on a huge task right now, I admit I am struggling with it and know that it does have an impact on some of the trials I am facing. However, I know that I can do it because God knows I can, it's just time for me to get over the fear and let Christ walk me through it. We all have something that we fear that hinders God's blessings, but Christ will walk us through them and allow us to get them done. Oh, it might take some time, but we will get there as long as we remain content with where we are looking forward to the riches that can only come as we diligently do the work He calls us to do. “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises...And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. ” - Hebrews 6:10-12,15.

Jesus Christ Revealed: Today Jesus is revealed through Shiloh, one day Jesus will return, just as He promises to claim all that are His. “In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” - John 14:2,3.

Thanks and God Bless You, I am praying for you, enjoy your weekend.
Christina

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