3/5/2021 Joshua 1:10-11

“Faithful obedience” 

SCRIPTURE

Joshua 1:10 Joshua then commanded the officers of Israel 

OBSERVATION 

Summary 
Joshua obeyed immediately as God instructed. 

Who is God 
God works through the obedience of man. 

APPLICATION 

Joshua, who was commanded by God to conquer Canaan, did not delay. Immediately he obeyed and  delivered the command of God to the officers of Israelites.  Joshua is faithfully delivering orders for the war to conquor Canaan without considering his position or the response of the people. What a faithful servant of God he is! .Being faithful to God means being obedient to His word. It is to obey without objection, without questioning and without delay. How difficult it must be for Joshua to deliver such a command of God.  God tells them to cross the Jordan River.  But how can they cross the river of overflowing water without any tunnels or bridges or ships at that time? It would have sounded absurd. However, Joshua did not hesitate to obey.  There was no delay. In addition, the Canaanites had already settled on the land for  a long time, who had quite a developed culture. They  already had advanced construction technology to build a castle as huge as the Jericho wall at that time. The discovery of many silver and bronze tools in Jericho shows that their weapons were very developed. Joshua could have wonder how the Israelites, the nomadic people who only lived in tents, could fight against the Canaanites. That is why God told Joshua repeatedly to be strong and bold. Even if he could fight, Joshua might have not been sure for these stiff -necked Israelites could follow him to fight. 

However, since God has strengthened him through His promises, Joshua took a very bold action. He was truly a faithful leader who obeyed God without delay, without making excuse of difficult situation. How do I obey God and His word? 

• Sin to avoid, I repent of some occasions of my delayed obedience to God and His words . 
• Promise to hold, God works on human obedience. 
• Action to take place, Obey all the words of God without throwing up. 

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, I want to learn from Joshua about his faithful obedience.  Help me carry out the mission to lead one million souls to Christ like Joshua, who carried out the mission of conquering Canaan faithfully.