Emmanuel Okoro (aka MrLift)

Records  “So the People of Israel, out of their own inheritance, gave the Levites, just as GOD commanded, the following cities and pastures.” ( Joshua 21:3) I have often reflected on why the Bible takes such care to preserve records in such detail. Beyond recounting past events, these records reveal patterns of God’s dealings with His people. They help us see not only what has been , but also what can be . Because the command was recorded, the Levites were able to approach the leaders of Israel and confidently remind them of what God had instructed through Moses. In the same way, records empowered Jesus to declare, “It is written of Me in the volume of the book; I have come to do Your will, O God.” God’s written word became both proof and authority. In our own lives, keeping records of what God has done serves a powerful purpose. They remind us not only of His past faithfulness but also of His present ability. Records speak when circumstances are silent. They assure us that if ...

Take God’s Word Back to Him  “This took place at Shiloh in the land of Canaan. They said, ‘The LORD commanded through Moses that you give us cities to live in, with pasturelands for our cattle.’ So the people of Israel gave the Levites cities and pasturelands from their inheritance, just as the LORD had commanded.”   (Joshua 21:2–3) This event happened at in the land of . The Levites approached and the leaders of Israel with confidence, reminding them of what the LORD had already commanded through . They were not demanding anything new; they were standing on a settled word. And Scripture records that the people responded in obedience— just as the LORD had commanded. God’s word is eternally true, eternally settled, and powerful enough to establish us. Yet believing the word is only the beginning. We must also learn to take God’s word back to Him —to pray, act, and live in alignment with what He has already said. The Levites teach us a vital lesson: men who know God’s word ca...

Avenger of Blood “So that anyone who kills a person accidentally—that is, unintentionally—may flee there and find protection from the avenger of blood.” ( Joshua 20:3 ) God is a God of justice as much as He is a God of mercy. Even in moments marked by tragedy and loss, His grace shines through. He is always mindful of human frailty and continually works to protect life and restore order. In our text, we are introduced to the concept of the avenger of blood —a relative who felt justified to take another life in retaliation for the death of a loved one. While such emotions are understandable, God, in His wisdom, made provision to prevent injustice and the escalation of violence. For anyone who killed another person unintentionally—what we would today call manslaughter—God instructed Israel to establish cities of refuge. These cities provided safety, preventing the avenger of blood from taking a life that God had not judged guilty of murder. Justice was preserved, but mercy was also ...

Honour...  “They completed the division of the land and set its boundaries as an inheritance. Then the people of Israel gave an inheritance to Joshua son of Nun. In obedience to the word of the LORD, they gave him the city he had requested—Timnath Serah in the hill country of Ephraim. Joshua rebuilt the city and settled there.” (Joshua 19:49–50) Honour, like respect, is earned—not demanded. Joshua, together with the high priest and the leaders of Israel, faithfully carried out God’s assignment: conquering the land and fairly dividing it among the tribes. When the work was done, the people expressed their gratitude by honouring Joshua with a city of his choice. This act was not forced; it flowed naturally from appreciation for faithful leadership and obedience to God. Scripture consistently teaches the value God places on honour. Through the prophet Malachi, God rebuked His people for failing to honour Him, reminding them that honour begins with how we treat authority—especially ...

Redirection  “But the people of Dan could not hold on to their territory, so they went up and attacked Leshem. They captured it, struck it down with the sword, and settled there. They renamed it Dan, after their ancestor.” (Joshua 19:47) God has already made provision for us to live fully and fruitfully at the center of His will. Yet, many times, we settle for less—not because God withheld His promise, but because we lacked the discipline, courage, or persistence to do what was required of us. The story of the people of Dan illustrates this clearly. They were allotted a territory, with a clear mandate to drive out the Amorites occupying the land. However, Scripture records that they failed to complete that task. Pressured and restricted, they were pushed into the hills and eventually chose another direction altogether. They attacked Leshem, conquered it, and settled there. Was this God’s perfect plan for them? Perhaps not. But it may have been God’s redirection . Sometimes, Go...

More Than Enough Blessings “The inheritance of Simeon came out of the share of Judah, because Judah’s portion turned out to be more than they needed.” (Joshua. 19:9 ) God’s blessings are never meant to terminate on us; they are designed to flow through us. When God prospers a person, a family, or a people, it is not merely for display, indulgence, or self-glory, but so that others may benefit through them. This has always been God’s pattern. He said to Abraham: “I’ll bless those who bless you… All the families of the earth will be blessed through you.” (Genesis. 12:3 ) Later, God reaffirmed this promise, extending it through Abraham’s descendants: “All nations on earth will be blessed through your descendants because you obeyed me.” ( Genesis 22:18 ) In our text, Judah’s inheritance was more than sufficient, so Simeon received his portion from within Judah’s land. Judah had more than enough , and that overflow became a blessing to a brother tribe. This is significant, because...