DON'T SETTLE FOR LESS THAN THE BEST

John Clardy -10/02/08

Numbers 32:1    And the sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad had a very great multitude of cattle. And when they saw the land of Jazer, and the land of Gilead, behold, the place was a place for cattle.

Numbers 32:5    And, they said, If we have found grace in your sight, let this land be given to your servants for a possession; do not bring us over Jordan.

The story is told of a professor who stood before his class of 20 senior organic biology students, about to hand out the final exam and said, "I want to say that it's been a pleasure teaching you this semester. I know you've all worked extremely hard and many of you are off to medical school after summer.  So that no one gets their GPA messed up because they might have been celebrating a bit too much this week, anyone who would like to opt out of the final exam today will receive a "B" for the course."

There was much rejoicing amongst the class as students got up, passed by the professor to thank him and sign out on his offer.  As the last taker left the room, the professor looked out over the handful of remaining students and asked, "Anyone else?  This is your last chance." One final student rose up and took the offer. The professor closed the door and took attendance of those students remaining.  "I'm glad to see you believe in yourself." he said. "You all have "A's."

Too often, like these student, we're content to settle for second best in our spiritual lives.  We're fairly close to God, but we aren't willing to take the time and the effort to have the kind of intimate relationship that He wants to have with us.

I think that the things that are considered bad are not the most prevalent cause of failure in a Christian’s life.  Now I know we can all fall immorality if we are not careful, but hopefully we have our guard up for those things.  The enemy of the Best is not the Bad, but more often Good!”

The tribes of Rueben and Gad saw the good land of Gilead and settled for it instead of waiting and receiving the inheritance that God had promised them in Canaan. They made a bargain to leave their families in the “Good” and travel with the rest of Israel and secure their inheritance in the “Best.”  Now remember they made this bargain before they knew how much better the unseen “Best” was compared to the apparent “Good”. 

Can you imagine their disappointment at going into Canaan and seeing all the things that God had promised where even greater than the reports had said they were, and having to fight and risk their lives for it only to have to return back across Jordan to an inheritance they had that paled in comparison to what they could have had! They settled for less than the best! 

Has God made you a promise?  Don’t be surprised if you are tempted with something that is easier to acquire and that is good.  But don’t sell yourself short.  Don’t settle for a “B” blessing when God has promised you an “A” blessing.  Trust in God!  Believe in His Word!  He is faithful to bring to pass what He has promised. Be willing to pass up the good, knowing that God wants you to have His best!