Go ahead and keep moving

Our reading today included Joshua chapters 1-2. Here Joshua receives command over the Israelites. Joshua is enjoined not to be discouraged but to put his trust in the Lord. In chapter 1 we see this instruction from the Lord as well as the people’s confirmation of Joshua’s strong leadership.
The first act of Joshua was to spy out the land to be possessed. This entire process was one of radical faith and trust in God.

It was evident that Joshua was scared. After all our texts marks at least half a dozen times where he is charged to be fearless. Faith always stands in opposition to fear. Though Joshua could have succumbed to fear he acted otherwise. Thus in Chapter 2 he sends out a reconnaissance team, indicative of his desire to forge ahead into the uncharted waters of seizing the promised land.

The scouts are seen to also be faithful models. They proceed to the town of Jericho and to avoid being accosted by the enemy they duck into Rahab’s house. Put yourself in the scouts’ shoes. Here we see them risking their lives by trespassing in a formidable enemy’s territory. Do not miss this detail. Surely they would have been afraid, but a person of faith moves on. God had given the command. Joshua take the land. The dutiful response of a believing individual is always to act once God speaks. As it were the scouts were already treading on dangerous ground by being in Jericho, but their faith is highlighted in yet another way. They seized an unlikely source for aid. Rahab - who is a commoner, a gentile, and a prostitute. Surely the God of Israel will not use a “filthy person” logic or even religion would dictate. Yet that is exactly what he does. The men chance their lives in the hands of Rahab a total stranger, who by the sovereignty of the Lord, offers them protection against their assailants.

Let’s learn from our text today to trust God, simply, truly and fully. I urge you to Move on. Go forward. That is the word of the Lord today. Step into that opportunity, try that endeavour. It doesn’t matter what the likelihood is. Only confirm God has spoken, then be a man or a woman of radical faith. As you do you exemplify the revolutionary spirit of Christ, obedience over challenges, and you will see him work in inexplicable ways.