Welcome to the Promised Land – This is a test!
Have you ever had that feeling that you got what God promised but it just doesn’t look like you expected??
Welcome to the book of Joshua. God has been faithful and the people are ready to cross the Jordan and enter the promised land to take their inheritance. Only once they get into the land despite a major military effort on the part of God and the Israelites; they realise that there are still a number of Canaanites and it is cramping their style.
Hang on a minute God you said we would inherit the land. True but God didn’t clear out all the land in front of them so they could take it over because they weren’t enough people to full occupy it at that time. God’s intention was for them to remove the inhabitants of the land, city by city and settle the place. It seems to me that the Israelites were sick of fighting and wanted an easy life. How many times do I want that? I want God to give me stuff on a plate but it seems that there are times when we need to follow God’s instructions and step out and take hold of things for ourselves.
Is God testing them? Maybe, it wouldn’t be the first time he has done this. He wants them to make the land their own and to get rid of anything that is opposing them living as his people in the land. This is how they will be a witness to all the nations around them.
So what is God wanting me to take the first step in? What about you…..
Just in case you were wondering there is also lots of great leadership tips in this book and thoughts on the cost of sin for a whole community. Some many thoughts so little time!!