Good Enough?

God -- under the leadership of Moses -- put into motion the plan to deliver Israel from bondage in Egypt and GIVE THEM a land described as “a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey.” ( Exodus 3:8; Deuteronomy 31:20) During the journey there were numerous times the nation thought returning to Egypt would be better, but the blessing of a land God was going to GIVE THEM was described as not being like the land of Egypt where they had sown their “seed and irrigated it, like a garden of vegetables” ( Deuteronomy 11:10), but instead a land that drank “water by the rain from heaven” ( Deuteronomy 11:11); a land that the LORD their “God cares for.” ( Deuteronomy 11:12)

Even in view of this blessing, there were some who chose to stop short and settle for less than what GOD DESIRED TO GIVE THEM. They saw something they determined was “good enough” and asked if they could settle there. The tribes of Reuben and Gad saw the land on the east side of the Jordan as a place good for livestock and asked if they could have that land instead. ( Numbers 32:1-5) They were joined in this desire by half of the tribe of Manasseh. ( Numbers 32:33) Moses’ first reaction was that their desire would discourage the rest of the nation from entering as had happened prior to the forty years of wandering in the wilderness. ( Numbers 32:6-15) However, upon their agreement to go ahead of the other tribes and lead in the fight and not return to the land east of the Jordan until after the rest of the nation received their inheritance ( Numbers 32:16-27) Moses agreed to let them have the portion they requested.

We read…
“AND MOSES GAVE TO THEM, to the people of Gad and to the people of Reuben and to the half-tribe of Manasseh the son of Joseph, the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites and the kingdom of Og king of Bashan, the land and its cities with their territories, the cities of the land throughout the country.” ( Numbers 32:33 ESV)

Though God apparently tolerated this choice, what strikes me is these two and a half tribes asked for less than what God was ready to GIVE THEM and took what “Moses gave to them” as “good enough”! Under the leadership of Joshua, they were content to receive as “their inheritance” the land “which Moses gave them, beyond the Jordan eastward.” ( Joshua 13:8)

How many times is that what we have done? How often have we settled for what man can offer as “good enough” instead of keeping our focus on what GOD DESIRES TO GIVE?

In Jesus’ sermon on the mount He dealt with such an attitude in relation to three actions of life. With regard to those who gave to the needy in such a manner as to receive the praise of men, who prayed for the purpose of drawing the attention and praise of others, and who fasted in a fashion that others would be sure to notice them, Jesus stated for each of these three that “Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.” ( Matthew 6:2, 5, & 16) They had become content with receiving the praise of others and stopped short of receiving the blessing GOD DESIRED TO GIVE. These actions done in a proper manner with the right attitude will be met with the ultimate blessing that “your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” ( Matthew 6:4, 6, & 18)

Let us be encouraged we don’t have to settle for just what can be received in this realm! We may be encouraged by the praise of others, but let us not settle for that as being “good enough”. May we not stop short to what GOD DESIRES TO GIVE. It is HIS GIFTS that are the truly “good” and “perfect” ones! ( James 1:17) Praise God for His desire to bless us so abundantly and completely!

Have a great day SEEKING TO GAIN WHAT GOD DESIRES TO GRANT!
Carl

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