August 2024 - Brenda H Price

Do you love and trust Jesus Christ enough to sacrifice it all for Him?

In Joshua Chapter 1, we read of several tribes under the leadership of Joshua as he was preparing to cross over Jordan and go in to possess the land God had given to Israel. The Reubenites, Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh were instructed to make a tremendous sacrifice.

In verse 13, they were first told to remember the promises of God previously spoken of by Moses. God had given them rest and had given them the land over Jordan. However, in verse 14 they are commanded to not just think about themselves, but to think about their brethren and help them come into a place of rest also. How? By leaving behind what was comfortable and familiar. They were not just brought into a physical rest, but God had given their minds rest too. They were in possession of a good land and it was a quiet possession. So now they must demonstrate an act of self-denial even though it totally went against the grain. Why? Because they had to leave their wives and their children for a season until their brethren received rest too. Two things we see here is (1) obedience to God’s delegated authority, and (2) an act of self-denial.

- God speaks to Moses ===> Moses obeys.

- Moses speaks to Joshua ===> Joshua obeys.

- Joshua speaks to two and half tribes of Israel ===> They declare their obedience and submission

(Joshua 1:16-17)

Pay close attention to the process of receiving the blessings of the Lord.

(1) Understanding God’s appointed, delegated authority and obedience to that authority

(2) Recognizing God’s plan, purpose, and season

(3) Willingness to sacrifice it all for the sake of God's plan and purpose. Not just for our lives, but for the lives of our brethren as well. 

Even when we don’t completely understand the commands of those in authority over us we must learn to obey without murmuring and complaining. If we pray for them instead, God WILL speak to them. We may not agree, and their decisions may not make sense to us. However, our faith and trust must be in God and not mankind.

In Psalms 84:11 we learn:

For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord will give grace and glory: No good thing will he withhold from those that walk uprightly.

The tribes of Israel understood these principles. Their faith and trust was in God. They had no problem obeying the words of Joshua. They understood the consequences of rebellion and disobedience and trusted God’s plan. They understood that leaving their wives and children was only for a divine purpose and only for a season. Joshua charged them to remember what God had done for them, and now He wants to do the same for others. How quickly we sometimes forget?

- When we don’t understand the plans of God and how He moves in seasons, we can easily miss our season due to fear.

- When we don’t reflect on the faithfulness of God in our past, we can struggle in doubt and fear trusting Him for present and future plans for our lives

- When we walk in fear instead of faith, we will not be willing to forsake everything for God’s plan and purpose to be fulfilled in our lives.

Hebrews 11:1 reminds us that, “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things NOT seen”. It does not take faith when we are determined to do things in our own strength and according to our own plans.

- Faith is complete trust in the truthfulness of God.

- Faith is appropriating what God in Christ has for mankind.

- Faith is assurance, reliance, and total confidence in the promises of God our Father.

- Faith is committing EVERYTHING to God’s trust and charge.

Do you have the faith to sacrifice All for Christ? Are you willing to leave family, friends, sisters, and brothers for a season to allow God to fulfill His plans and purposes for your life? Remember God will not withhold any GOOD thing from those who walk uprightly. Selah.