How Long Are You Slack?

How Long Are You Slack? (Josh 18:3)
Introduction
“How long are ye slack to go in to possess the land, which Jehovah, the God of your fathers, hath given you?” (ASV)

To those among God's people
Jesus says, “Come to me … and I will give you rest” (Matt 11:28). “The one who comes to Me,” he says, “I will by no means cast out” (John 6:37, see Matt 20:6).

The Situation in Israel
God's people were not living in the enjoyment of the Lord's provision. They were in partial possession. In fact, they had enough in many ways to satisfy them. But they had stopped making progress. Why?

1. Slackness (18:3)
   • Prov 13:4, “The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing.”
   • They were content living off the work of others.
   • They were strict where they should have been slack and vice versa.
   • “A lazy Christian shall always [lack] four things: … comfort, content, confidence, and assurance” (Thomas Brooks).

2. Fear (17:14-18)
   • They were yet afraid of conflict with the peoples of the land. Jesus says, “the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful” (Matt 13:22).
   • “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2Tim 1:7).

Conclusion
“There is no unwillingness on God's part to give. The unwillingness to seek and take is always on our side. Let us be honest and place the blame where it belongs” (A. W. Pink).

Even Paul himself says, “I press on…” (Phil 3:12-14).