Emmanuel Okoro (aka MrLift)

Take Possession  "And so GOD gave Israel the entire land that He had solemnly vowed to give to their ancestors. They took possession of it and made themselves at home in it.” (Joshua  21:43)  God is a promise-keeping God. When He speaks, He is not merely predicting what will happen; He is revealing what has already been settled in eternity, even though we may not yet have entered into it in time. If we live long enough in faith and obedience, we will experience everything God has promised. This truth is clearly seen in the story of Israel. More than five hundred years earlier, God promised Abraham that his descendants would inherit a land flowing with milk and honey. Abraham believed God, though he did not possess the land in his lifetime. Yet, in our text, we see that God fulfilled that ancient promise completely. Israel did not receive part of the land or a portion of the promise—God gave them the entire land He had sworn to their ancestors. However, God’s faithfuln...

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...

No Slacking  “ And Joshua said unto the children of Israel, How long are ye slack to go to possess the land, which the LORD God of your fathers hath given you?”  ( Josh.  18:3 (KJV) Provision had already been made, yet the people delayed. The land was secured by God’s promise, but it still required their obedience and action. Joshua’s question exposes a painful truth: it is possible to have access to God’s gifts and still live as though we do not believe they are ours. This pattern repeats in our lives today. God asks us the same searching question: How long will you delay? Healing has been provided, yet some endure sickness without stepping out in faith. Freedom has been announced, yet many remain bound by fear, ignorance, or complacency. Jesus echoed this truth when He spoke about the woman bent over for eighteen years— “ought not this daughter of Abraham be loosed?” (see Luke 13). She belonged to the covenant, yet bondage persisted until faith met divine power. Th...

Power of Foresight "You also get the hill country. It's nothing but trees now, but you will clear the land and make it your own from one end to the other. The powerful Canaanites, even with their iron chariots, won't stand a chance against you."  Joshua 17:18)  Foresight is the ability to see beyond what is physically present. It is the capacity to perceive possibilities where others see limitations. It is vision inspired by faith — seeing from God’s perspective rather than from human fear. In this passage, Joshua speaks to the children of Joseph who felt their allotted land was insufficient. Instead of simply agreeing with their complaint, he redirected their vision. He acknowledged their need for more space but pointed them to the hill country — a land covered with thick forests and occupied by strong enemies with iron chariots. To the natural eye, it looked unusable and intimidating. But to the eye of foresight, it was potential waiting to be developed. Joshua ...

God’s Extravagant Blessings "The people of Joseph spoke to Joshua: ‘Why have you given us only one allotment and one portion for an inheritance, since we are a numerous people and the LORD has blessed us abundantly?’" (Joshua 17:14) The sons of Joseph teach us a powerful lesson about perspective and confidence in God’s blessings. Exposure matters in life. What we see, experience, and understand shapes how we think and what we believe is possible. Manasseh and Ephraim did not grow up like their uncles. They were raised in Egypt in a position of influence because of their father Joseph. They had seen administration, abundance, and authority up close. That upbringing gave them a different mindset. They were not timid about increase; they were conscious of growth. They recognized that God had blessed them extravagantly—and they were bold enough to say so. When they came to Joshua, they asked, “Why have you given us only one share?” They were not being arrogant; they were be...

Challenge the Status Quo  “Because the daughters of Manasseh received an inheritance along with his sons, the land of Gilead belonged to the rest of the people of Manasseh.” ( Joshua 17:6)  The daughters of Zelophehad occupy a unique place in Israel’s history. They were the first—and for a long time, the only—women to receive an inheritance in a culture where land was passed exclusively through sons. Their distinction was not accidental; it was the product of courage, clarity, and conviction. Before their bold request, no daughter in Israel inherited land. Zelophehad had no sons, only daughters, and by existing custom, his name and lineage would have been erased. But these women refused to accept a tradition that produced injustice. They approached Moses with a simple yet profound question: “Why should our father’s name be lost among his clan because he had no son?” Moses had no immediate answer, so he took their case before God. God’s response was clear—the daughters were ...

Just as God Said “So give me this hill country that the LORD promised me. You yourself heard then that the Anakim were there with their great fortified cities. If the LORD is with me, I will drive them out, just as the LORD said.” (Joshua 14:12) One of the greatest joys of the Christian faith is the assurance that we can take God at His word. Not the word of a pastor, a leader, or even a revered “saint,” but God’s own word. When God speaks, His word stands sure, reliable, and unchanging. The Apostle Paul highlights the power of this truth when he commends the Thessalonian believers. He explains that the Word of God worked effectively in them because they received it for what it truly is—not the word of men, but the very Word of God:  “For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.”...

Unwavering Faith  "Now behold, the LORD has kept me alive, as He said. These forty-five years ever since the LORD spoke this word to Moses, while Israel wandered in the wilderness; and now, here I am this day, eighty-five years old.”  (Joshua 14:10) When we speak of unwavering faith, the life of Caleb immediately comes to mind. For forty-five long years, he held tightly to the word God spoke concerning him. That alone says so much about the depth and resilience of his faith. Caleb’s greatest victory was not merely possessing the land, but refusing to let go of God’s promise through seasons of delay, transition, and uncertainty. Many people today would have abandoned what God said simply because time passed or circumstances changed. But not Caleb. Even after the death of Moses—the vessel through whom the promise first came—Caleb did not let the word die. He brought it before Joshua, the new authority, and boldly recounted exactly what God had spoken. This teaches us a powerf...

Follow Through  “ The people of Israel did exactly as the LORD had commanded Moses, and they apportioned the land.”  ( Joshua 14:5)  God is a God of plan, purpose, and design. He never begins what He has not already finished in His mind. Scripture assures us that God declares the end from the beginning—long before the journey unfolds, the destination is already settled.  “From the very beginning I tell you the end. From long ago I reveal what is yet to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’” ( Isaiah 46:10)  One beautiful truth in this passage is that God lets us in on His plans. He reveals His intentions not to confuse us, but to involve us. God shares His purpose so that we can follow through —walking in obedience until His will is fully accomplished. Our text tells us that the people of Israel followed through exactly as God commanded. This exactness is crucial. One of the greatest challenges of our time is the inability to...

Delays Are Not Denials   “Because the sons of Joseph had become two tribes—Manasseh and Ephraim—they gave no allotment to the Levites, but gave them cities to live in, with pasture lands for their flocks and herds.” ( Joshua 14:4)  Delays are not denials. God knows how to course-correct our journeys so they align perfectly with His original plan for our lives. What looks like a setback to us is often a setup in God’s hands. We remember the story of Jacob—how he was deceived into marrying Leah instead of Rachel, the woman he truly loved. That single act appeared to delay his destiny by seven years. When he finally married Rachel, there was yet another delay: she could not bear children for a long time. Humanly speaking, everything seemed out of order. Had Jacob married Rachel as planned, Joseph would have been the firstborn and naturally entitled to the double portion. But God does not panic over delays. What He has ordained cannot be canceled by human schemes. Though the pr...

What You Have to Do—Do It Now “Do it now: Allot this land as an inheritance to the nine tribes and the half-tribe of Manasseh.” ( Joshua 13:7)  Sometimes, the only thing standing between us and success is the willingness to act. Not lack of ability. Not lack of time. Just action. I learned this lesson recently. I had an assignment that felt impossible within the time available. Everything in me wanted to postpone it, but I sensed a gentle prompting in my spirit to at least give it a try. The Holy Spirit reminded me that almost nothing is impossible when we are willing to put in the required work. So I began. I pushed myself even when I felt tired, kept going when I felt drained—and to my amazement, the task was completed. God gave Joshua an instruction that seemed unreasonable at first. He told him to divide the land among the people while the enemies were still there, promising that He Himself would drive them out. Human logic would suggest clearing the land first before shari...

All You Have to Do Is All You Have to Do  “ All who live in the mountains, from Lebanon to Misrephoth Maim, all the Sidonians—I myself will drive them out before the people of Israel. All you have to do is allot this land to Israel as an inheritance, as I have instructed you.”   ( Joshua 13:6) In life, truly, all you have to do is all you have to do—no more and no less . God instructed Joshua to allot the land to Israel before the inhabitants were driven out. Remarkably, God made it clear that He Himself would drive out the nations, but Joshua still had a responsibility: to divide and assign the land. Divine action did not cancel human obedience; it required it. This principle had already been demonstrated in Caleb’s life. Joshua gave Caleb his inheritance—the mountain—while the enemies were still occupying it. Once Caleb knew what belonged to him, he rose in faith and went to take possession.    “Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the LORD spake ...

When Good Enough Isn’t Enough " When Joshua had grown old, the LORD said to him, ‘You are very old, and there remains very much land yet to be possessed.’”  (Joshua 13:1) For the God of the universe—who has seen the lives of countless generations—to say to a man, “You have lived a long and good life,” is no small commendation. It means Joshua’s years were meaningful, fruitful, and well spent. His obedience, leadership, and victories mattered. Yet God did not stop there. He added, “There is still much land to be taken.” In other words, as good as Joshua’s life had been, God was not finished. Past victories did not cancel future assignments. Accomplishment did not mean completion. This is a powerful reminder for us. No matter how far you’ve come, no matter how much you’ve achieved, God may still have more ahead of you. What you see as enough may simply be a milestone, not the destination. Don’t settle too soon. Don’t pack up your tools or retire your faith. There is still wor...