Friday: Further Thought – Living in the Land
Daily Lesson for Friday 12th of December 2025
Further Thought: Read Ellen G.White, “The Division of Canaan,” Pages 517–520, in Patriarchs and Prophets.
Image © Stan Myers from GoodSalt.com
“While it is important on the one hand that laxness in dealing with sin be avoided, it is equally important on the other to shun harsh judgment and groundless suspicion. . . .
“The wisdom displayed by the Reubenites and their companions is worthy of imitation. While honestly seeking to promote the cause of true religion, they were misjudged and severely censured; yet they manifested no resentment. They listened with courtesy and patience to the charges of their brethren before attempting to make their defense, and then fully explained their motives and showed their innocence. Thus the difficulty which had threatened such serious consequences was amicably settled.
“Even under false accusation those who are in the right can afford to be calm and considerate. God is acquainted with all that is misunderstood and misinterpreted by men, and we can safely leave our case in His hands. He will as surely vindicate the cause of those who put their trust in Him as He searched out the guilt of Achan. Those who are actuated by the spirit of Christ will possess that charity which suffers long and is kind.
“It is the will of God that union and brotherly love should exist among His people. The prayer of Christ just before His crucifixion was that His disciples might be one as He is one with the Father, that the world might believe that God had sent Him. This most touching and wonderful prayer reaches down the ages, even to our day; for His words were, ‘Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on Me through their word.’ John 17:20. While we are not to sacrifice one principle of truth, it should be our constant aim to reach this state of unity.”—Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, Pages 519, 520.
Discussion Questions
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This week, the lesson has been focused on conflict resolution and many of us see this message as pertinent for our time, not only in the broader sense but within our own church community. All too often we confuse unity with uniformity. Somehow we have to get used to the idea that those who live on the eastern side of the Jordan are us, and vice versa.
I would like to extend the discussion this week by considering the Investigative Judgement as the ultimate conflict resolution. Jesus is our mediator in the process of deciding our eternal destiny. The issue is that we have taken this notion as our “reason for being” and have turned it into an exercise in logic and biblical gymnastics to prove that we are right, and that has sometimes eclipsed the simple truth that Jesus is our mediator in the conflict of sin.
We cannot draw back the curtains of heaven and say, “Look there it is!” In a world where people are either ignorant, or sceptical, it is very hard to convince anyone of something they cannot see or touch. If we want an effective argument that Jesus is out mediator in the ultimate conflict resolution, then we should be first in seeking to resolve issues in our community of believers now. This is more than quoting platitudes like, “We need to let the Holy Spirit lead us!”
Sometimes we are making so much noise we cannot hear the gentle prompting of the Holy Spirit. If there is one big takeaway message from this week’s lesson it is this:
“Take time to listen.”
The lesson this week has brought to my mind a statement a colleague of mine made that has stayed with me over the years. “If there is a gap between what you expect and what you see from your brother, fill the gap with trust.”
The Israelites on the west of the river expected faithfulness from the brothers who had crossed the Jordan with them and fought for seven years alongside them to claim God’s promise. Instead, they saw what appeared as apostacy and a disregard of the lessons God had taught them in their wanderings in the dessert. Instead of barging in with swords draw, they filled the gap with trust by seeking to understand their motive and to reach a God-honouring solution. They listened and believed the sincerity of their brothers.
The children of Reuben and Gad expected understanding from their brothers on the other side of the Jordan. Afterall, they had kept their promise, left their settled homes for seven years to help their brothers also become settled in theirs at the risk of their own lives. Instead, they received accusations and censure. Instead of becoming defensive, they filled the gap with trust. They trusted that the censure and accusation, while unfounded, came from a good place – a place of wanting to honour God and to secure the protection of God’s people. They responded with humility and sincerity.
In this case, the conflict was happily resolved. Sadly, this will not always be the case in our relationships at home, in church, and in our communities. We may trust that the motive may be pure even if the action does not appear so. Trust that the intention may not be to harm. Trust that this is just a misunderstanding that can be resolved. Trust that a failure to agree does not render a relationship impossible. Trust that our overtures for peace will be positively received. Yet despite that, conflicts may persist. Can we still fill the gap with trust when trust is shattered?
I believe that with God’s help we can. When we fill the gap with trust, we are able to be angry yet do not sin. We are able to practice longsuffering and forgiveness. We are able to see beyond the individual to The Enemy that has brought the evil and not get consumed by our fight against flesh and blood, but to recognise the fight against principalities and powers in high places. Because when all else fails and our trust in man is broken, we can fill the gap with trust in God.
God is just. When we act in faith, He will fight for us and vindicate us. He will also shine a light into our own hearts and show us where we may be in error. If we’ve ever needed to exercise this trust in our homes, churches and communities, we need so now more than ever in these last days.
Lord, help me to practice this trust today that in as far as it is up to me, I may live at peace with all people for your glory and the blessing of your children.
Jocelyn, i love the quote you started you response with. It has definitely blessed and inspired me.
Well said Jocelyn. Your comment is well received
The art of listening to others with patience and humility is a gift that helps us understand different perspectives and viewpoints, and it is critical in minimizing unnecessary conflicts. The Bible strongly advises in Proverbs 18:13 that answering before listening leads to mistakes, and James 1:19 reminds us to be “swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.” When we invest our time in listening to and appreciating others whether family, friends, coworkers, or neighbors—we often realize that they have valid points and views, which strengthens and builds our relationships rather than leading to arguments. The Reubenites sought understanding over winning an argument at a time when no one seemed to understand them, and this choice helped build peace, ensuring the harmony that mattered most.
I truly must learn to rely solely on the Lord for things I cannot change. Only through the power of Love given by God through the Holy Spirit can people’s hearts be changed. Although my indignation can be overwhelming at times, my Love for Jesus, my Savior, has to be stronger. That’s why I must be resilient and wait for the Lord, because He can mend what was broken. He is my best hope! And He will not fail me, as He has done in the past.
There was a wall poster at my job that had a wonderful message. It said “Assume positive intent when dealing with others”. I’m retired now but that has stuck with me as a way to not jump to erroneous conclusions.
The last post in the lesson said “We live in a society in which the requirements of our professional life, family responsibilities, church-related commitments, and other duties can seem overwhelming. How can the principle of doing everything as to the Lord not only make us more responsible but also bring us peace of mind?” This is my current state and struggle.
John 8:30-59
v.31-32 – ”So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, ‘If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”
v.53-56 – ”Surely You are not greater than our faither Abraham, who died? The prophets died too; whom do You make Yourself out to be?” Jesus answered, “If I glorify Myself, My glory is nothing; it is My Father who glorifies Me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God’; and you have not come to know Him, but I know Him, and If I say that I do knot know Him, I will be a liar like you, but I do know Him and keep His word.”
‘Living in the Land’ – From the Beginning, God shared His Truth with mankind, and Jesus Christ came to fulfill this Truth – the same and only Truth which sets man free from the bondage to the ‘lie’ of His adversary.
As we ‘live in His land of Truth and Wisdom” by His Grace through the power of the Holy Spirit, we, the Ecclesia, the body of Christ, grows into the holy temple in the Lord baring the fruits of HIs Righteousness – Matt.15-17; Eph.2:15-22.
From the psychological perspective, if the mind becomes preoccupied with a presumptive thought and the desire to react without paying attention to detail becomes an option to manage a bad mood, one could easily get upset and overreact. If a person disagrees with a mistake, the individual could protest against the decision vigorously.
However, if one intends to avoid the habit of overreacting, one could learn to be attentive to instruction, admit the outcome of a result, correct the mistakes of the past, and ensure the past errors do not repeat themselves again.
Grandfather David had a lot of appalling behavior in his life, but because he always admitted to making a mistake and always confined himself in the Lord to repent from his sins, the Lord always gave him a second chance to redeem himself. As a result of past experience, Grandfather David learned to refrain from behaviors that might upset the Lord most. David, in his own discretion, created a law to guide his appalling habit, and I think he took the right initiative to deal with the tendencies of his past. (Proverbs 6:12-35).