Thankful to See the Faithfulness of God
Scripture Passage: Joshua 18:21-28 (NASB)
21 Now the cities of the tribe of the sons of Benjamin according to their families were Jericho, Beth-hoglah, and Emek-keziz, 22 Beth-arabah, Zemaraim, and Bethel, 23 Avvim, Parah, and Ophrah, 24 Chephar-ammoni, Ophni, and Geba; twelve cities with their villages. 25 Gibeon, Ramah, and Beeroth, 26 Mizpeh, Chephirah, and Mozah, 27 Rekem, Irpeel, and Taralah, 28 Zelah, Haeleph, the Jebusite city (that is, Jerusalem), Gibeah, Kiriath; fourteen cities with their villages. This is the inheritance of the sons of Benjamin according to their families.
SUMMARY
The territory of lots of the tribes of the sons of Benjamin lay between the sons of Judah and the sons of Joseph. They received 26 cities as inheritance according to their families.
REFLECTION
The tribe of Benjamin received their portion of the Promised Land and the 26 cities they could move into according to their families. I went back to Deuteronomy 33:12 to search how the tribe of Benjamin was blessed by Moses. ‘Of Benjamin he said, “May the beloved of the Lord dwell in security by Him, Who shields him all the day, And he dwells between His shoulders”’. The blessings they were given was to dwell in security. God fulfilled His promises by allocating them the territory that was surrounded by tribes of Judah, Joseph, Dan, Gad, and Reuben. Benjamin was the youngest and beloved of his father Jacob. His descendants were blessed to dwell in these 26 cites in security. And God is the One to shield them under His wing and carry them between His shoulders. When I meditated on today’s QT, God revealed his faithfulness and everlasting love to me. I am reminded of how many answered prayers in my life. My marriage, my children and my workplace are all evidence of His faithfulness and His love. I looked up my quiet time blog when I meditated Deu33:12 in November 2020, I was so touched again by His agape love for me. 15 months have passed. God has been shielding me through the peak of pandemic. God has been carrying my household on His shoulders safely in this time of loss of main income. Furthermore, God listened to my prayers during 21 days fasting and prayer this month. He promises to extend His mercy and grace to my family in Taiwan. I was so thrilled to hear Him with such clarity. So thankful that our God is merciful and gracious.
APPLICATION
It was on Day 20 of my fast and prayer period when I heard God with clarity. In the Prayer driven life book, Pastor Oh pointed out, “to listen to God is to obey Him”. “When is a good time to obey?” “As soon as you are certain that God has spoken to you, that is the time that you need to move. ” God has spoken to me in my prayer. God has also spoken to my husband in his quiet time through His Words in Joshua chapter 14. God wants my complete obedience. He desires me to listen and obey. Like how Israelites listen and obey God’s command, they entered and conquered the Promised Land. I want to receive God’s promise for the salvation of my family in Taiwan by preparing to obey it. Put it in action by sharing good news to them.
PRAYER
Father in heaven, teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; Your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. Help me, my husband and my children to follow You wholeheartedly, like how Caleb followed You fully in the wilderness and in the battlefield. Give us strength now and faith to conquer the hill country and great fortified cities. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.
Please share your personal meditations on this Scripture passage with the HolyWave community in the comments section below. (We reserve the right to moderate comments.)