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This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth; you are to meditate on it day and night so that you may carefully observe everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do. Joshua 1:8

There is so much we can learn from this first chapter of Joshua. Because sometimes the instructions we get seem a bit ill defined, don’t they? We know enough to take one step forward, but never enough to do it on our own. Why do you suppose that is? Well, it’s because God never wants us to outgrow our dependence on him.

The first nine verses, God gives Joshua these instructions. Cross the Jordan, I’ll give you every place your foot falls on. Then He gives him the boundaries, but what I want you to pay close attention to is the 3 times in those verses God tells him to be strong and courageous. In fact once, He says “Be strong and VERY courageous!” It wasn’t until they took the first step and crossed the Jordan that God gave them instructions on how to take Jericho.

One huge factor in this whole story is this: When God tells us to do something, He will ALWAYS back up His Word. It’s the same scenario with different people all the way through the bible. He gives them a new identity, gives them instruction and promises for a new future with Him.

Let me now say this, if Jesus told us to go make disciples (followers of Jesus), to be a light, be witnesses, healing, delivering, setting free those who are oppressed, will He not also back His Word? What are we waiting for? Others to do it first? A huge revival to come where well known pastors and evangelists do it? NO! He commanded you and me to do it.

First He made gave us a new identity, than He gave us instructions followed by the assurance that He would never leave us but be with us to the end. Just before He left the earth, these were His very last words, “And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

For far too long, we’ve expected the ‘church’ to do outreaches, things to draw people to Jesus. But that’s not following instructions at all. Perhaps it’s time for us to be what He said we are, the church! For the Kingdom of Heaven is in us. There are so many ways to be a light, ask God how He wants you on display and than go do it!

Until Tomorrow,

Sandy G