“Now the children of Reuben and the children of Gad had a very great multitude of livestock; and when they saw the land of Jazer and the land of Gilead, that indeed the region was a place for livestock, 2 the children of Gad and the children of Reuben came and spoke to Moses, to Eleazar the priest, and to the leaders of the congregation, saying, 3 “Ataroth, Dibon, Jazer, Nimrah, Heshbon, Elealeh, Shebam, Nebo, and Beon, 4 the country which the Lord defeated before the congregation of Israel, is a land for livestock, and your servants have livestock.” 5 Therefore they said,“If we have found favor in your sight, let this land be given to your servants as a possession. Do not take us over the Jordan.”” Numbers 32:1-5 NKJV
Omniscient God,
All knowing. You knew the hearts of this people wandered and yet You kept Your covenant. The land looked good. So the tribes descended from Reuben (Leah and Jacob’s first born Genesis 29:31), Gad (son of Rachel’s maidservant Bilhah Genesis 30:4-6) and the half tribe descended from Manassah (the firstborn son of Joseph and Asenath (Genesis 41:50–52) opted to go no further.
We can only presume the half tribe of Manasseh opted to stay as well perhaps they decided later but decide they did. Moses negotiated an agreement for the men to travel on with them and help take the promised land and then return to their families. They agreed. I wonder if it was that easy?
They were prepared to settle for the first good pasture they found. Without even seeing a glimpse of what was ahead. And they knew the difference between where they had come from and where they were. Did they really believe You could provide nothing better?
I can see looking back that I have grown in You. Other people can see the changes in us better than we can. Simply stopping swearing was immediately noticed! But the growth becomes subtler. We are all given the choice daily once we know Jesus whether we want to stay as we are or grow further.
Some settle for knowing Jesus and are satisfied not wanting to go too deep. Some go very slowly and are not really committed to a deep relationship with You – more a friendship for if they need You. And there I must stop because it is easy to begin judging people. What should concern me is me. Do I settle sometimes and stop growing? Help me to hunger for more of You..
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Saturday 21st February 2026
Does seem that growth comes with challenges . . .
I asked the Lord that I might grow
In faith and love and ev’ry grace,
Might more of His salvation know,
And seek more earnestly His face.
‘Twas He who taught me thus to pray,
And He, I trust, has answered prayer,
But it has been in such a way
As almost drove me to despair.
I hoped that in some favored hour
At once He’d answer my request
And, by His love’s constraining pow’r,
Subdue my sins and give me rest.
Instead of this, He made me feel
The hidden evils of my heart
And let the angry pow’rs of hell
Assault my soul in ev’ry part.
Yea, more with His own hand He seemed
Intent to aggravate my woe,
Crossed all the fair designs I schemed,
Humbled my heart and laid me low.
“Lord, why is this,” I trembling cried;
“Wilt Thou pursue Thy worm to death?”
“’Tis in this way,” the Lord replied,
“I answer prayer for grace and faith.”
“These inward trials I employ
From self and pride to set thee free
And break thy schemes of earthly joy
That thou may’st find thy all in Me.”
And break thy schemes of earthly joy
That thou may’st find thy all in Me.”
Lyrics: Jon Newton