When You Are Given a Bad Lot in Life

Have you ever tried to complain to an older man? It usually doesn’t go very well, does it? This is when we get the “I walked uphill both ways barefoot in the snow” speech, right? There is usually very little sympathy from those who have worked hard all their lives to get where they are. They don’t want to hear our complaints or excuses.

When Joshua was designating the land of Israel to each tribe, the Ephraimites were unhappy with their lot. They thought it was too small and separated unfairly. When they expressed dissatisfaction, Joshua said they could fight for the forest land up north if they weren’t happy with the lot they had been given. But they didn’t want to fight and clear land. Why should they have to? Joshua had not given them enough. Why couldn’t he just provide them with something better? It wasn’t fair they had to work extra just to receive the equivalent of what their brothers had been given. Joshua had given them a bad lot.

Have you ever felt like that? Have you been dealt a lousy hand? Is your lot in life unfair or insufficient? Are you disadvantaged in some way? Maybe your family is poor, or you live in a bad neighborhood. You may have a disability or a sickness, or perhaps someone in your family does. You don’t deserve this. No one does. It’s not fair.

There were giants in the northern land, and they had a strong, well-equipped army. The Ephraimites couldn’t defeat them. But Joshua did not accept this excuse. He was almost 100 years old, and Caleb was 85. They had grown up in slavery. But God rescued them and showed them a better land. He wanted to give it to them, but the rest of the Israelites were too afraid to go in. They saw its abundance but couldn’t enjoy it because the others refused. So, they had to wander in the wilderness with only bread and water, knowing that fertile land existed just beyond the Jordan.

Talk about unfair. Joshua and Caleb wanted to go in. They trusted the Lord when no one else did. Yet, they had to wait 40 years to enter because of what everyone else had done wrong. By then, they were old men, no longer in their prime. Yet, they still had to fight for the land before settling there. Caleb fought the giants living in his land when he was 85. So, do you think these old men sympathized with the Ephraimites who weren’t satisfied and didn’t want to do anything extra to receive more than they’d been given?

First, they complained about what they had been given. Then they made excuses about why they couldn’t take what they wanted. But Joshua did not put up with their excuses. With the help of God and their brothers, they could defeat the giants if they wanted to. It had nothing to do with their inability and everything to do with their will. If they wanted something better, they would do a little extra to receive it.

You don’t have the resources, the education, or the ability to change your situation. It’s beyond your control. But is that true, or do you just think your situation is unfair and hope someone else will do something?

Are you entitled? Maybe you are. Perhaps you do deserve more. But what are you going to do about it? Do you want to sit around and whine, or do you want it to change? Maybe you have to work extra just to receive what others have already been given. That’s unfair. It really is. But complaining and making excuses won’t change that. If you want something better, work for it. It may be difficult, but God will help you.

He remembered Joshua and Caleb’s faithfulness towards Him. He preserved their lives when everyone else died. The Lord brought them into the land, even though they had to wait. He gave them the strength to fight in their old age, and they were victorious. Sometimes life is not fair, maybe even often. But we have God on our side. He has all the resources, all the knowledge, all the ability, and all the power that we do not.

“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” … Therefore, I take pleasure in infirmities, reproaches, needs, persecutions, and distresses for Christ’s sake. When I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Be willing to work and believe He can bring it to pass.

Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.

Psalm 37:3-6

This is an excerpt from “Take Responsibility for What You Want” as taught on YouTube or Podcast or as written on Substack. Read the beginning of the lesson for free, or in its entirety, along with over 35 previous lessons, for $6/month or $60/year. Once subscribed, you’ll receive one lesson each week thereafter.

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