God can always show us “How” to do something if we stay focused on obediently stepping into what He has put right in front of you.
Have you ever been willing but your obedience needed to catch up with your willing heart?
This was not Joshua’s position.
Daily, Joshua was being prepared as He served.
Joshua is suddenly thrust into a leading position through the death of His leader Moses. Here’s how it’s put to Joshua.
Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them- the children of Israel.
Joshua 1:2
“He’s dead Joshua. I’m saying it plainly.“
He doesn’t give him time to collect himself, think about all of this, or time to grieve the loss of Moses. He declaratively states: Now, therefore. Arise and Go.
He doesn’t say, pray about this and let me know what you think.
He doesn’t say, consider it. Or think long and hard about it. Think about what you are facing Joshua,.
He says, right now.
Today.
Arise and move forward with the plan I lay before you.
I would say this takes great faith, but it doesn’t. It takes a faith that obeys.
Intentional obedient steps while trusting God.
Obedience is an Act of Faith
For the children of Israel to cross over and inherit the land Joshua had to “go” first and then lead them.
He had to lead them through the resistance, through the elements, but God had given them promises to stand on as they went forward.
Every place the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses.
Joshua 1:3
Step deep Joshua.
Step confidently because I am with you and have promised something for those you lead.
And when people come to stand against you remember what I told you:
No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you.
Joshua 1:5
Joshua would be reminded even as Moses was, when things get bleak, when you feel the resistance, the weariness, remember: I am with you.
I will not leave you. My presence shall go with you just like it did Moses. I won’t abandon you in the process.
He then tells him how to be strong.
He speaks strength to him but He gives Him this:
Observe to do what my law says.
Don’t be distracted. Stay focused.
Meditate on it and then you will make your way prosperous and have good success.
Joshua got it. Wasting no time, He integrated the word given to him and then commanded the next ranking officers which orders to carry out.
Can You Have Faith Without Obedience?
Juxtapose that with where I landed one day. My internal struggle had manifested outwardly that early morning.
I could sense the lovingkindness of The Lord near even as I was throwing up my struggles.
He listened as I was reeling.
Truth is, I was mad. Mad at the process God was taking me through.
I struggled as I steered my life in the direction of faith.
Knowing the way of the flesh was much harder than the challenge I was dealing with and yet I was fighting with the only one who could help me.
I don’t think I am alone. I think a lot of us do this.
We wrestle with God as we attempt to get to God.
This is no shocker to him either. We don’t argue with those we don’t care about.
So on this day, as I stomped my way to the throne, inside I said, please don’t let me win this fight, God.
I know your way is higher and better but I’m frustrated and need the security that you hear me, even put me in my place like I did with my children when they were young.
So we fought that day. Well, I did. God was just God. Obviously, I was unlike Joshua. I was more like Peter.
Fight to lose is what I told myself. That was my goal the day I had the fight with God. Getting it all out on the table so we could reason together.
Why are you asking me to do things I feel incapable of doing? God’s response: My power has always been made perfect through the weakness of men and women. My grace is sufficient.
Growth takes place in hard places not soft, cushy ones.
Joshua wasn’t in any easy position but He was in an obedient one.
Wimpy girl takes on the God of the universe. Maybe you laugh. Maybe you think that’s nervy or cocky.
Maybe you have been that person because God is asking things of you, things you have no idea how to do them but He’s still asking.
Even if you know the why behind them. You might even know what it is you need to do but the how part is the missing part.
Thankfully, we serve the master of the “How.” It was the “How” that tripped Peter up when He got out of the boat.
He heard the word, took the step but not before He was preoccupied with the “ How” am I going to do this?
[Tweet :Sometimes the details distract us from the direction God is telling us to take.“]
Jesus wanted him to trust in Him not in the how. He was called to step out on the word not to get in the ditch over the details.
Sometimes the details distract us from the direction God is telling us to take.
God uniquely called Joshua and Peter. They had specific assignments. He also has called you and I uniquely.
We are wired with the right talents to fulfill what He calls us to do individually. When we do our individual parts it brings an entire picture together.
God can show us the “ How” if we stay focused on the obedience of right now.
What is the “now” word God is dealing with your heart about?
We can trust him while we’re in process even when we have a one-sided fight.
Father, thank you that you know the words we speak before it’s even on our lips. Thank you for doing the work we need in our hearts. Help us to be strong and courageous like Joshua. May we press forward in faith depending on your grace to do in and through us what only you can do. In your name, Amen.