Joshua 16

Partial obedience

And they did not drive out the Canaanites who dwelt in Gezer; but the Canaanites dwell among the Ephraimites to this day and have become forced laborers. ~ Joshua 16:10

Have you ever settled for “almost”? Almost healed, almost free, almost walking fully in what God promised. It’s easy to convince yourself that partial progress is enough, especially when life feels busy or overwhelming. But God never designed His children to live in the “almost.” He calls us into fullness, even when it requires courage, obedience, and persistence.

In today’s scripture reading, the tribe of Ephraim received their inheritance, a promise fulfilled. Yet even in the middle of that blessing, they left something undone. They didn’t completely drive out what God had told them to remove and that decision stayed with them. It’s important to remember that God’s promises are secure, but our participation matters.

Here are some points to consider from this passage in Joshua.

1. God gives the promises, but we must walk it out to receive them

Ephraim was given land, yet they still had a responsibility to step in and take possession of it. God had already spoken, already made provision, and already gone before them. But they still had to move forward in obedience to experience what was promised.

In your daily life, this can look like God calling you into something new, maybe to start that ministry, take a new job, or step into a healthier mindset or lifestyle, but hesitation creeps in because it feels uncomfortable. You know what God said, yet you find yourself waiting for everything to feel easy before you begin.

A practical example of this truth could be when you feel led to pray more consistently, but your schedule feels full. Instead of waiting for the perfect moment, you choose to get up ten minutes earlier to spend time with your Heavenly Father. That becomes your step of obedience, and God honors your willingness to move forward.

2. What we tolerate can limit what we fully experience

Ephraim didn’t completely remove the Canaanites. They allowed them to remain, even though it look like they kept theem under control. But partial obedience still has consequences.

As a child of God today, this can show up as allowing certain habits, thoughts, or influences to stay in your life when God has already shown you they don’t belong.

A practical example of this truth could be when you know a certain relationship drains your peace or pulls you away from God, but you keep it at a distance instead of releasing it completely. Over time, it still affects your growth. Choosing to fully let go creates space for God’s best.

3. God’s calling on your life is worth full obedience

Ephraim had a significant inheritance, but they didn’t fully step into all of it. God’s plans for you are bigger than what’s comfortable or convenient.

Today, walking in full obedience might mean trusting God in an area where you’ve been holding back.

A practical example of this could be when God has been nudging you to forgive someone. You’ve delayed because it hurts or would require humility. But when you choose to forgive, even in small steps, you begin to experience freedom you didn’t realize you were missing.

I remember a time in my life when I didn’t fully follow where I knew I was being called. I convinced myself it would be more beneficial to do things my way, thinking I could still reach the same outcome without taking the exact path God had shown me. At first, it seemed manageable, but over time, things began to unravel. The pressure of trying to hold everything together on my own became overwhelming, and I could feel that I wasn’t walking in the fullness of what God planned for me and everyone involved.

Deep down, I knew why. God had already been speaking clearly to my heart, but I chose to adjust His instructions instead of following them. I thought partial obedience would keep me close enough to His plan, but in reality, it was slowly leading me off course. That became a turning point for me.

So, I went back to the last thing He told me to do and made the decision to follow it, completely and without adding my own conditions. As I took those steps, one by one, I began to see His hand move in ways I hadn’t experienced before. Doors opened, provision showed up, and peace replaced the pressure I had been carrying.

Because of that experience I discovered something that I’ve held onto ever since. God always has the best in mind for me, and if I truly want to walk in it, it requires my full trust and complete obedience.

Today I want to encourage you, don’t settle for almost when God has promised you more. What He has spoken over your life is still true. Don’t let fear, comfort, or delay keep you from fully stepping into it. You are His child, and He has equipped you to walk in everything He’s placed before you.

Take a next step today by simple, going back to the last thing God placed on your heart and take one intentional action toward it. It doesn’t have to be big, it just has to be obedient. As you move, you’ll begin to see that He was already there, making the way, strengthening you, and confirming every promise along the journey.

Today’s scripture reading: Joshua 16

1 The lot fell to the children of Joseph from the Jordan, by Jericho, to the waters of Jericho on the east, to the wilderness that goes up from Jericho through the mountains to Bethel, 

2 then went out from Bethel to Luz, passed along to the border of the Archites at Ataroth, 

3 and went down westward to the boundary of the Japhletites, as far as the boundary of Lower Beth Horon to Gezer; and it ended at the sea.

4 So the children of Joseph, Manasseh and Ephraim, took their inheritance.

5 The border of the children of Ephraim, according to their families, was thus: The border of their inheritance on the east side was Ataroth Addar as far as Upper Beth Horon.

6 And the border went out toward the sea on the north side of Michmethath; then the border went around eastward to Taanath Shiloh, and passed by it on the east of Janohah. 

7 Then it went down from Janohah to Ataroth and Naarah, reached to Jericho, and came out at the Jordan.

8 The border went out from Tappuah westward to the Brook Kanah, and it ended at the sea. This was the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Ephraim according to their families. 

9 The separate cities for the children of Ephraim were among the inheritance of the children of Manasseh, all the cities with their villages.

10 And they did not drive out the Canaanites who dwelt in Gezer; but the Canaanites dwell among the Ephraimites to this day and have become forced laborers.

Journal:

• What is one area where I’ve been walking in partial obedience
• What has God already shown me that I need to fully act on
• What step can I take today to move closer to the fullness of what God has promised