Numbers 34:1–2: “Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Command the children of Israel, and say to them: “When you come into the land of Canaan, this is the land that shall fall to you as an inheritance—the land of Canaan to its boundaries.”‘”

February 13th, 2023 by Pastor Ed in devotional

Today when someone acquires property, they record the deed at the local county recorders’ office. But when God gave land to His people He had it carefully recorded in Scripture for eternity: “the land that shall fall to you as an inheritance” (Num. 34:2). As Jesus said, “Heaven and earth will pass away but My words will not pass away.” God gave very precise instructions to Israel describing the boundaries of the land of Canaan. We find, however, that the actual conquest of the land fell short of these borders. In other words God’s children never realized all God intended for them to have as a possession.

How strange that God wanted them to have it, they seemed to desire to have it, but it never fully happened. This should make us wonder about the things God wants us to possess but that we fail to take possession of. God wills us to have many things we never claim or take for His Kingdom. Perhaps this sounds too materialistic and crass to our ears. The land of Canaan would actually always belong to God and not to any man. In that sense, God’s children never own anything here on earth, as it all belongs to the Lord. But God did want His children to enjoy all of the land while they lived here on earth; however, they had to go out and take more of it. The prayer of Jabez speaks to this issue.

And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested (1 Chron. 4:10).

Most people do not want to think about having to do more in their life, but this man thought differently. Jabez wanted to live larger than life. If we desire to possess everything God wants for us, we must also live larger than life. We need to ask God to move the boundaries lines of our lives. We need to pray differently by asking for more rather than for less. God does have more for us.

“LORD, help us to live this day larger that yesterday. Expand our boarders we ask in Jesus’ name.”