The people of Israel walked the desert in circles for 40 years because of their lack of faith, and dis-obedience to God the Father. Joshua was deeply faithful, abiding in God’s Will. In other words, when God spoke, Joshua listened. With courage and brilliance as a military leader accompanied by humility and obedience to God, Joshua had strong spiritual influence. Subsequently, Joshua’s deep faith and great humility resulted in his selection as Moses’ successor. Joshua’s commitment to God, as exemplified through his obedience to God’s Will set an example for the people of Israel. The behavior modeled by Joshua had an impact on Israel remaining faithful to God during the entire span of Joshua’s life.

As described in chapter one, Joshua was told that the people would cross Jordan to take possession of the promised land (Joshua 1:11). During that period the promised land was called Canaan (Genesis 17:8), the same geographical area of modern-day Israel (p. 300). In chapter two, the two men sent by Joshua to scout the land to be conquered were befriended by a woman named Rahab. The actions of Rahab, secured the future safety of her family when Israel conquered Jericho. This was accomplished by tying, in the window, the same cord that Rahab used to safely lead the two scouts out of Jericho. In chapter three, the Jordan is described as being in flood stage; typical during harvest. Following God’s instructions, as soon as the feet of the priests carrying the ark of the covenant touched the edge of the Jordan, the flow stopped. This allowed the nation of Israel to cross into the promised land via dry ground. In chapter four, God instructed Joshua to choose one man from each of the tribes of Israel totaling twelve. God’s direction was for each of the twelve men to remove one stone from the middle of the Jordan in memory that the flow of the Jordan was stopped before the ark of the covenant of God. The Jordan returned to flood stage the moment that the feet of the priests carrying the ark of the covenant reached the other shore.

 As The Creator of time and light, it stands to reason that God is subject to neither. Reigning in the realm of the supernatural, God’s infinite power is incomprehensible to us. We cannot know how God parted the Red Sea, or stopped the flow of the Jordan enabling Israel to cross in pursuit of the promised land. However, we do know that success is assured when we follow God’s plan, and live in love with one another. God’s “blueprint” for our life is accessible to us when we seek His guidance in daily decision-making. In other words, by doing it God’s way. When we live according to His Word through faith and humility, God abides within us. Conflict is inevitable, but when God abides within, none will succeed against. Renew your commitment to obey God today. Nourish your spirit through reading God’s Word followed by prayer on a daily basis. Developing your relationship with God daily will strengthen your ability to recognize God’s voice, thereby enabling swift movement when God instructs.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, we know that anything we ask in the name of Christ Jesus will be given. Humbly we come before you asking for increase in faith, hope, and love. We pray for wisdom, knowledge, and patience as we endeavor to grow your light within. Guide us in developing a one-to-one relationship with you Lord; so that we may grow in your love, and learn to behave in a loving manner toward others. We ask this in the name of your Son, our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus.

REFERENCE
Zondervan. (2005). Life Application Study Bible (NIV). Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House of Publishers, Inc.