“And the border shall go down to the Jordan, and its limit shall be at the Salt Sea. This shall be your land as defined by its borders all around.” (Numbers 34:12, ESV)
Often, we stand back and survey our domain as if we have achieved something that attests to our own greatness. This is a very subtle and dangerous self-deception. Granted, we have probably worked very hard. Yet we should never get so proud and arrogant. What about the person who has worked hard and has little? What about the missionary who has worked for years with perhaps only a few or no converts? What about the church planter who has strove for years with only a congregation of twenty? Who are we to judge the effectiveness of their ministries in the Lord’s great redemptive program?
In this passage, the Lord has defined the domain for the nation of Israel. He set them out on the conquest of Canaan and He was giving them the land. Their part was to join Him in the conquest by faith. The Lord established the boundaries of their domain just as He establishes ours.
This is the proper perspective that recognizes the sovereignty of the Lord and that He works providentially to accomplish His great program. It is an appropriate perspective in our individual lives. David had this perspective when He gathered the collection from the people for the construction of the Temple.
“But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you.” (1 Chronicles 29:14, ESV)
Moses understood this when he recounted the work of the Israelites as the Lord led and provided for them on their 40 years of wandering in the wilderness.
“For the Lord your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands.” (Deuteronomy 2:7, ESV)
This principle does not mean that we can live on the dole. The Scriptures clearly teach that we must work (2 Thessalonians 3:10). We also may seek higher paying jobs, bigger homes and property, etc. However, in this we must also realize that like the Israelites we are really joining the Lord in His sovereign program. This perspective keeps us from prideful and destructive attitudes (Proverbs 16:18).
This perspective on the Lord’s sovereignty is also vital in ministry. All too often, I hear pastors talking, perhaps boasting, about the number of adherents or the magnitude of their Sunday worship attendance. I find those with small congregations depressed and embarrassed about their size. Is it not the Lord who builds the church (Matthew 16:18)? Is it not He who adds the increase (1 Corinthians 3:6)? As the Lord defined the borders of Israel, He is also sovereign over the size of our ministries.
If we can keep our perspective right, we will learn how to be content in all situations. We will give the glory to God. We will experience the blessing of joining the Lord in His sovereign program.
Renewing the Heart 