Launch Out In Faith

A summary of Joshua 1:8-11 says, "Do not let this Book of the Law to depart from your mouth; you are to meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.  Then you will be prosperous and successful.  Have I not commanded you, “Be strong and courageous, do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”   Joshua then gave orders to the people’s leaders:  Go through the camp and tell the people to get their things ready for travel.  In three days you will cross the Jordan River and then enter into and take possession of the land the Lord your God is giving to you."

Bottom Line:
Joshua was a new leader, God had told him to not let this Book of the Law (his Word) depart from him; he was to really study it, think about it day and night and to be careful to follow it and do everything written in it.  If he did, then whatever he set out to do would be prosperous and successful.  God had already told him to be “strong and courageous, not terrified or discouraged”, for God will always be with him.  So in getting guidance from the Lord as to the next steps, Joshua passed orders onto the leaders of the people; They were to go throughout the camp and tell the people to get themselves and their things ready for the next leg of their journey.  In three days they will cross the Jordan River and then enter into and take possession of the land that God is going to give them.

What this means to me:
God wants us to do well.  He has provided his written Word (Truth about how he designed and intended life to be lived out.)   He suggested that we really study it, make it part of our daily routine.  If we do this and really follow what it says we will be prosperous and successful.  With that God provides specific instructions. Its up to us to take the next steps.  In a direct relationship with the Father, he’ll provide the confidence we need to be “strong and courageous.”  He has promised to never leave us.  So like Joshua, I can ask God for the next steps and he’ll provide the guidance, however I’ll come to a point where I need to stop talking about and take the next steps and do my part.  Sometimes barriers to accomplishing things insurmountable, but I need to step out in spite of my feelings, fears and doubts.  Like Joshua I need to take the plunge and move forward in faith and let God do his work, I can’t wait for the perfect conditions.  Often, the next steps or progress will be made until we that that first step.  So when I know something is God’s will, no matter how scary it may be to me, I need to do it anyway.  Once I start God will work and allow me to further exercise my faith.  God wants me to step out in faith. I find myself facing an interesting choice in my work career.  The nice thing about it is that is completely voluntary, however the impact could have a large impact either way.  A decision doesn’t need to be made right away, however there is a timeline associated with it.  I will proceed in faith, asking God for clarity, understanding, wisdom and guidance.  I will also get wise counsel.  But there will come a point in which I will need to move forward in faith trusting in what God has guided me with and fully trusting the outcome to him.