Obedience to the call
I am following along in the bible bus; Bible in a Year reading Joshua 24 and I was reminded that as we walk by faith and follow Jesus, he leads, smooths out the path before us, fights for us, and blesses us with abundance.
Joshua is speaking to the congregation about all the wonderful things that God has done for the nation. God led one man to create an entire nation, he blessed him with many descendants and He faithfully led the people into uncharted territory. He gave them victory over their enemies and God richly blessed the people with towns that were already fortified, and had an abundance of the fruit of the land. To name some examples;
…But I took your ancestor Abraham from the land beyond the Euphrates and led him into the land of Canaan.
I gave him many descendants through his son Isaac….
I brought terrible plagues on Egypt; and afterward
I brought you out as a free people.
I brought the sea crashing down on the Egyptians, drowning them. With your very own eyes you saw what I did. “Finally,
I brought you into the land of the Amorites on the east side of the Jordan. They fought against you, but
I destroyed them before you.
I gave you victory over them, and you took possession of their land.
Jericho fought against you, as did the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Girgashites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. But I gave you victory over them. 12 And I sent terror ahead of you to drive out the two kings of the Amorites. It was not your swords or bows that brought you victory.
I gave you land you had not worked on, and
I gave you towns you did not build—the towns where you are now living.
I gave you vineyards and olive groves for food, though you did not plant them.
Israel was not strong enough, courageous enough, mighty enough, or smart enough to defeat their enemies but God was and He did it all! Many times we lean on our capabilities and resources or lack of and forget that God owns it all;
Psalm 50:10-12 For all the animals of the forest are mine, and I own the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird of the mountains and all the animals of the field are mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for all the world is mine and everything in it.
God was faithful to the people even though they were often complaining, fearful, idolatrous, and faithless God accomplished His plan for the nation. What a relief that I don't need to figure it all out, understand it all beforehand, and try to make it all work. I just need to look to Him each and every day for direction, provision through his Word and a willing heart to follow Him. God is good.
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