Numbers 31-32

What things do people settle for? I have heard of people settling on jobs, “I’m just glad it pays the bills.” I have heard of people settling on churches, “Everybody knows me there; it’s just easy to keep going.” Even settling on spouses, “He’s the best I’ll probably get.” How often are we simply satisfied with the here and now? How hard is it to leave our comfort zones and reach for something greater, or worse…wait on something better?

I was once again shocked to read in today’s Scripture as the sons of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh request to dwell outside the promise land, rather than claim an inheritance within its boundaries. And why do they do this? Because they had a lot of… cows! Scripture says they had an exceedingly large number of livestock and saw the land outside the Promised Land was “suitable” for livestock, so they asked Moses if they could be left behind.

Wow, they decide without entering the land “flowing with milk and honey” that they don’t want it! They are content outside God’s best promises. What were they thinking? Why not wait on God?

It is amazing how similar we are today to that “ancient” nation. We ourselves so often find the “suitable” option, rather than wait to experience God’s best. It blows my mind as I watch people rationalize away their futures for “the bird in hand,” (never mind the fact that it’s a molted dead one! At least it’s a bird!)

What areas of your live have you found yourself settling in? For some settling is a way of life; to change it all would be seemingly impossible. But I would ask you, “Is there somewhere you know you should be? Are you in a dating relationship which you know isn’t God’s best for you? Is there another job you should be seeking? A ministry opportunity you should be involved in?” Pick an area of your life in which the Spirit reminds you that you are settling. Then take a moment today to resolve in your heart to seek God’s best for your life.

A prime example: Our pastor’s last day was today. He stepped down as senior pastor to follow God’s call elsewhere. It would have been easy for him to “settle” here. The grass of the ministry fields here are greener than most. He is loved, respected, and trusted. He could have settled and been “happy,” but if God is calling him further I am glad to know that we sat under a man that doesn’t look to the short term, but knows that if God calls, there are more and better things ahead.

Now we as a church must seek out another shepherd, and just as our pastor, may we not settle for the suitable, but wait for God’s best. If you are a member of our church, please pray as we go through this time, that we would seek out God’s man for the position, that we would have eyes to see him and patience to find him. If you are elsewhere, please take a moment to lift us up in your prayers, we will need them.