This Hill is Not Enough for Us

by Dennis Michelson
(Novelty, Ohio)

Joshua 17:12-18

Introduction: Few believers live to the capacity God has afforded them. The only resume God considers for promotion is the one that states that the applicant is becoming more like Jesus Christ every day. The soul of a Christian either grows or shrinks - it does not remain the same.

If it is to grow then one must lay the axe to the dead wood. Growth issues forth from obedience to sound doctrine. A shriveled soul is the result of a steady diet of sound doctrine without obedience. McCheyne (1813-1843) said "Lord Jesus, let my heart and my mind enlarge together like brother and sister, depending the one upon the other.

Let the capacity of my heart and the understanding of my mind increase as the years go by." Christ commanded us to occupy until He comes. The command was not to ossify. We complain that we are too big for the little job when the truth may be that we are too little for the big job.

Remember - to the Israelites Goliath was to big to hit but to David he was too big to miss! D.L. Moody told his sons, "if God be your partner then make your plans large."

1. The Cause of the Complaint (17:14-16)

They felt that past blessing justified a greater reward. Beware of living in the past.

2. The Fallacy of Their Complaint (17:15)

God had given them plenty of room but the enemy was still there.

3. The Geography of Their Complaint (17:16)

The problem was not with geography but with their capacity. God will keep you where you are until you have occupied and lived up to your present capacity.

4. The Danger of Their Complaint (17:16)

God may let you wander out of His will but then your problem will spread to others (Jonah).

5. The Challenge from Their Complaint (17:15, 17-18)

The dead wood must go. There will be conflict prior to conquest but the axe must be laid to the root.

6. The Truth of Their Complaint (17:17)

God's people are a great people. God has not restricted us - we have restricted ourselves.

7. The Proper Compaint (18:3)

O God, make me more like Jesus Christ!