GOOD ENOUGH

GOOD ENOUGH

Most of us know the story of Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt.  We know the Israelites were given a promise that they would obtain their land.  The vision and purpose was very specific, but the timing was not.  The promise came from God that they would be a great nation and they would live in the Promise Land flowing with milk and honey.  God even took them to the land to scout it out.  But as you read this story you see where the Israelites carry a spirit of “good enough”.

It was “good enough” that they stay in Egypt as slaves because at least they had water and food.

It was “good enough” that they stay in the wilderness because they are just “grasshoppers” in the eyes of their enemies.

But there is one story I ready in Numbers 32 that really shone a light on this attitude of “good enough”.   The Israelites had just defeated the Midianites.  Twelve thousand men went to battle and not one was lost.

Numbers 31:49,50

“and they said to him, ‘Your servants have counted the warriors under our command, and not one man of us is missing. So we have brought as an offering to the Lord what each man obtained – articles of gold, armlets, bracelets, signet rings, earrings, necklaces – to make atonement for ourselves before the Lord’”

So they just came out of a great battle and are ready to give God the glory.  They are probably feeling pretty excited about the land they just took.  They are seeing God move on their behalf and start to bring about this great promise.  Then in chapter 32 we see them settle.  They settle into a “good enough” mind set.  Let’s look:

Number 32: 2-5

“So the sons of Gad and of Reuben came and spoke to Moses, to Eleazar the priest, and to the leaders of the congregation saying, , The country around Ataroth, Dibon, Jazer, Nimrah, Heshbon, Elealeh, Sebam, Nebo and Beon, the land which the Lord conquered before the congregation of Israel, is a land suitable for livestock, and your servants have very large herds of livestock. 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 across the Jordan River.”

I encourage you to read the full chapter for yourself, but you will see after this Moses’ reaction.

Numbers 32: 6,7

“ But Moses said to the sons of Gad and the sons of Reuben, ‘Shall your borthers go to war while you sit here? Now why are you discouraging the hearts of the Israelites from crossing over into the land which the Lord has given them?”

Do you see it?  Do you see the lie?  Do you see the spirit of “good enough”.  It was good enough to them what they had just accomplished with God’s help.  So good that they were willing to stop short of that amazing promise and settle with what they had. 

How many times to we receive a vision from God.  A very specific vision and we stop short when we get a little bit of it?  How many times does the enemy lie to us and say “well that’s its, that’s the promise.  God said He would do it and He did.  Sure it doesn’t match the original promise but are you really so selfish to think you will get more?  That’s a pretty great thing He just did for you so that’s good enough.” And we grab hold of that lie and we settle even though we know in our hearts that this is not our vision.  This victory for the Israelites was meant to bring them up.  To empower them to believe bigger.  To see Gods great glory and to help them grab ahold of the many things God is capable of doing.  It was not meant to disengage their faith from the promise in their hearts.  So don’t settle for “good enough”, instead, you hold tight to your faith and you don’t stop until you see Gods great plan for you come to full manifestation!