40 year do-over

“I will never leave you nor forsake you.” “Be strong and courageous.” “Be strong and very courageous.” “Be strong and courageous.” “Do not be terrified.” “Do not be discouraged for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” In just a few short sentences, God was trying to help the new leader of Israel understand something. Can you guess what it was?
 
You see, 40 years before, Israel was in this same exact situation. They stood at a seeming impasse, left with a choice of proceeding with God to fight against enemies that were giants or choosing the “safe” route and staying in the wilderness. The nation was so consumed by fear and dread that they chose not to follow God’s plan for them to bring them into the Promised Land. So God let them have exactly what they wanted, the Wilderness.
 
Forty years later, Joshua is standing in the same spot. I think that you already know what God wanted Joshua to understand from the encouragement above. Joshua took God at His word and the rest is history. God has Promised life, freedom, provisions to us. But sometimes we just stare at these gifts and fear the unknown, not really taking God at His word. So once again we go back to our “comfortable” wilderness where we have a hard time hearing from God. As you read chapter 7 this week, ask God to help you know the ways in which He is trying to show you the Promised Land and the ways in which He is truly with you.

​Ivan