SEPTEMBER 8, 2015
God’s Plans
What
do you want your servant to do? —Joshua 5:13–6:2
Read:
Joshua
5:14
An army officer may
have an overall plan, but before each battle he has to receive and give out new
instructions. Joshua, a leader of the Israelites, had to learn this lesson.
After God’s people spent 40 years in the wilderness, God chose Joshua to lead
them into the land He had promised to them.
The first stronghold
they faced was the city of Jericho. Before the battle, Joshua saw the
“commander of the Lord’s army” (probably the Lord Himself) standing opposite him
with His sword drawn in His hand. Joshua fell on his face and worshiped. In
other words, he recognized God’s greatness and his own smallness. Then he
asked, “What message does my Lord have for his servant?” (Josh. 5:14). Joshua
experienced victory at Jericho because he followed the Lord’s instructions.
On another occasion,
however, Joshua and his people “did not inquire of the Lord” (9:14). As a
result, they were deceived into making a peace treaty with the people of
Gibeon, enemies in the land of Canaan. This displeased the Lord (vv. 3-26).
We too are dependent
on the Lord as we face life’s struggles. He longs for us to come near to Him
today in humility. And He’ll be there again for us tomorrow.
In what area do you
need God’s guidance today? Ask God to lead the way.
Spiritual victory comes to those who humble
themselves and seek God’s will.
INSIGHT:
Easton’s Bible Dictionary provides some
insight into the life of Joshua. He was “the son of Nun, of the tribe of
Ephraim, the successor of Moses as the leader of Israel. . . . He was born in
Egypt, and was probably of the age of Caleb, with whom he is generally
associated. He shared in all the events of the Exodus, and held the place of
commander of the host of the Israelites at their great battle against the
Amalekites in Rephidim. He became Moses' minister or servant, and accompanied
him part of the way when he ascended Mount Sinai to receive the two tables. He
was also one of the twelve who were sent on by Moses to explore the land of
Canaan, and only he and Caleb gave an encouraging report.” Bill Crowder
Source: Our Daily Bread 2015
