via TJC
“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”
Joshua 1:7-8
Today we want to bring forward the mechanics of how God’s plan works for His kingdom and our role in that.
To illustrate, let’s look at the story of Joshua. I highly recommend researching this story in detail, if you are not familiar with it, but let’s take a look at the key takeaways:
Joshua was the appointed successor to Moses, chosen to lead the Israelites to the promised land, by following God’s commands, and therefore, showing all the lands the glory of God’s path for us. As Joshua leads the Israelites across the river, he encounters opponents and other challenges, but he also encounters a warrior, an angel of God. Joshua asks him if he is for them or for their enemy. The warrior responds neither. God shows us here that this is not a battle between the Israelites and their enemy, but God’s battle, in which they are participating. Throughout the different battles they are shown at times they must be passive and hold faith that they will be delivered, like at Jericho. Then in Ai, they are led to fight and ultimately repent, before they are led to victory. Either way, if they want to inherit the land, then they must be obedient.
They continue on through several battles and lessons but as we approach the end for Joshua, as he is dividing up the land amongst the 12 tribes, we see the multi-generational covenant God gave to Abraham come to pass. Joshua explains to them that if they should ever deviate from their obedience to God, then they will be just as their enemies were, when they were conquered. With a promise spanning three generations delivered, Joshua leaves the Israelites with a question: What are you going to do?
I want to point out one major piece that sticks out to me: Time. This covenant that God made spanned 3 generations to come to pass. Even when it takes us longer to get it than He intended, He is still faithful. No matter how long, or how difficult- if we are obedient, then He provides and delivers. In our increasingly, instant gratification-focused culture, we must remember, God is not on our clock, we are on His. We must not grow impatient. Regardless of the situation, if we are obedient, He will make good on His promise.
Don’t mistake this dynamic for “We have to do good things to earn His favor”. His sacrifice and promise is our’s, through Jesus’ blood - it’s about our choices. If we choose disobedience, the world will provide empty filler and we will miss His path.
Daily Battle Order:
Pray on Joshua’s question: What are you going to do? Will you be obedient? His plan requires patience and faith. Sometimes the lesson will be how to fight, sometimes it will be how to be patient. But, the truth always remains: if you are obedient, then His promise will be your reality.
I read this on a morning where historical allies of mine have recently turned away from the King. It hurts. I want to pick them up fireman-style and bring them back to Jesus, regardless if they like it or not. But I cannot do so. John Eldredge's podcast the past two weeks has been discussing Matt. 25. I have oil for my lamp, ready for the Groom when He busts through the doors of Heaven. I want to give some away to people in my life who need it, but I have to remember: Their oil must not come from me. It comes from the Kingdom! It's up to them whether they will retrieve it in time or not!