Joshua 18:1-3 – “The entire Israelite community assembled at Shiloh and there they set up the tent of meeting. Though they had subdued the land, ² seven Israelite tribes had not been assigned their allotted land. ³ So Joshua said to the Israelites: “How long do you intend to put off occupying the land the Lord God of your ancestors has given you?”

As I read, prayed, and mused on the Word of God today, I saw a themed progression in my reading. In Joshua 18:1-3, Israel had subdued the land, but 7 tribes had not yet taken possession of or occupied their allotted land. 

The voice in my heart said, “After you dispossess, you must actively possess.  Just as you labored vigorously to dispossess, you must labor vigorously to possess.”    Winning the battle is only step one in the process and progression of life and spiritual development.   Emptying out is necessary, but filling with the new afterward is vital.  

Sometimes we become so focused on knowing that we fail to become!   Knowing can be equated with dispossessing and becoming with possessing.   We must become who God designed and desires us to be to be usable and effective for the kingdom in these last days.  

In 1 Timothy 4:14-15, Paul instructed Timothy to recognize the confirmed spiritual gifts in him.  He was charged to develop those gifts and take time to absorb himself in the prophetically confirming words spoken over him.  Do warfare with the prophetic words.

Our focus is God, not positions or possessions.  1 Timothy 6:6 is intriguing.   “Now godliness combined with contentment brings great profit.”   Then, in verse 9, we have the warning against longing to be rich.  In verse 11, we are instructed to take the path of pursuing spiritual things, not earthly.   We justify our craving for wealth, saying, “Look what I could do for God with it.”  That is still craving riches.   Our craving should be for God; then we use what He brings rather than being owned by the desire for wealth.

Our focus in life must not be on position or possession, but on becoming who God designed us to be so as to fulfill God’s purposes!     My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory.    Nothing is more important than God.   Let’s ensure our focus is on God.  Dispossess and Possess.  Empty out to be filled.  Seek first the Kingdom, and He will bring to you that which is to flow through you!

LORD, help us to become who You have designed us to be!