Trust and Obey
Scripture: (Joshua 1:9 CSB) “Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courageous? …. for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
I am reminded of Joshua, the leader of the Israelites, following the death of the
amazing servant leader, Moses. The Israelites must have had some hesitation,
compromised with paralyzing fear and uncertainty about their future.
The Lord calms their fears by reminding them of His promise to Moses, and
that those promises would be the same for Joshua and the people. He assures
them that He will be with them and will never leave or abandon them. The Lord
did not abandon Moses, nor will He abandon Joshua and the people. They are
instructed to be strong and courageous, to follow and observe the instructions
carefully-- allowing them to roll around in their minds night and day. Only then
will you make your way prosperous, and you will have success (Joshua 1:8).
When you allow the Lord to lead you through critical situations, it is then that
you see and experience Him for yourself. He is to be trusted to do what He says
He will do. His promises are awesome and sure. The Lord promises rest to the
people as they occupy the land of their inheritance, following Joshua as they
follow their servant, Moses. The people agreed to do and go, being obedient to
Joshua as they were with Moses (1:16-17). Disobedience to Joshua’s command
was punishable by death (Joshua 1:18).
The instructions given to Joshua by the Lord may not seem reasonable. Despite
concerns about the tasks, they did not align with the natural order of happenings.
Yet, Joshua and his army marched forward, believed, and followed the Lord’s
plan. Today, we may meet situations with doubt. The path to victory does not
always make sense. His eyes are on the righteous (I Pet. 3:12), and He directs our
paths (Prov. 3:6). Trust the Lord (Prov. 3:5). If you fail to trust the Lord to meet
your every need, then you will be tempted to trust your own understanding.
Prayer: You, Heavenly Father, teaches me to consistently obey Your Word and
follow Your will and Your way. For your way is sure and altogether trustworthy.
You have given my life purpose through Your Holy law: I should seek You first and
trust Your hand in every situation. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
By Novella D Carpenter
amazing servant leader, Moses. The Israelites must have had some hesitation,
compromised with paralyzing fear and uncertainty about their future.
The Lord calms their fears by reminding them of His promise to Moses, and
that those promises would be the same for Joshua and the people. He assures
them that He will be with them and will never leave or abandon them. The Lord
did not abandon Moses, nor will He abandon Joshua and the people. They are
instructed to be strong and courageous, to follow and observe the instructions
carefully-- allowing them to roll around in their minds night and day. Only then
will you make your way prosperous, and you will have success (Joshua 1:8).
When you allow the Lord to lead you through critical situations, it is then that
you see and experience Him for yourself. He is to be trusted to do what He says
He will do. His promises are awesome and sure. The Lord promises rest to the
people as they occupy the land of their inheritance, following Joshua as they
follow their servant, Moses. The people agreed to do and go, being obedient to
Joshua as they were with Moses (1:16-17). Disobedience to Joshua’s command
was punishable by death (Joshua 1:18).
The instructions given to Joshua by the Lord may not seem reasonable. Despite
concerns about the tasks, they did not align with the natural order of happenings.
Yet, Joshua and his army marched forward, believed, and followed the Lord’s
plan. Today, we may meet situations with doubt. The path to victory does not
always make sense. His eyes are on the righteous (I Pet. 3:12), and He directs our
paths (Prov. 3:6). Trust the Lord (Prov. 3:5). If you fail to trust the Lord to meet
your every need, then you will be tempted to trust your own understanding.
Prayer: You, Heavenly Father, teaches me to consistently obey Your Word and
follow Your will and Your way. For your way is sure and altogether trustworthy.
You have given my life purpose through Your Holy law: I should seek You first and
trust Your hand in every situation. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
By Novella D Carpenter
Archive
2023
January
MOVING INTO A NEW YEAR AND LEAVING YOUR BAGGAGE BEHINDEncouraging You in the New YearA Veteran StudentAll of God’s Gifts Are Wrapped in JesusThe Gift that Keeps on GivingA Faith That’s Signed and SealedI Remember Grandma (Part I)I Remember Grandma (Part II)Roots Growing DeeperSTANDING IN HIS PEACEBE WARY OF COMPARING! (Part I)BE WARY OF COMPARING! (Part II)TIE A YELLOW RIBBON...[Part I]TIE A YELLOW RIBBON... [Part II]The One That Got Away [Until Now] Part IThe One That Got Away [Until Now] Part IIThe One That Got Away [Until Now] PartWINTER, ALREADY ?! [Part I]WINTER, ALREADY ?! [Part II]HE KNOWS!Godly Hope vs. Positive ThinkingHope DeferredCalled To Endure!The Greatest Expectation!The Ear and Eye GateCourage, Saints!!Getting to Know Him- Little By LittleSame Storm Different Boat pt2The Apron of ServanthoodGetting to Know Him- Little By LittleConfess It as Sin!
February
People Are Laughing Out Loud at My BibleMe, Myself, and I (Depression)I Have to Qualify to Run the RacePreach, Preacher!Does He Know You?LESSONS FROM A LOWLY HOUSECAT (Part I)LESSONS FROM A LOWLY HOUSECAT (Part II)God’s Obedient Wild Kingdom (Part I)God’s Obedient Wild Kingdom (Part II)PRAISE God for WITNESSES!Sock LintSock LintNO GAS! NO BRAKES! SAY WHUT?! (Part I)NO GAS! NO BRAKES! SAY WHUT?! (Part II)THE BEST DEFENSE IS A GOOD OFFENSE (Part I)THE BEST DEFENSE IS A GOOD OFFENSE (Part II)Having The Faith to Favor And Follow A Faithful God (Part I)Having The Faith to Favor And Follow A Faithful God (Part II)MORE THAN 'SUPER,’ MORE THAN 'HERO'!HE IN WE, AND WE IN HE! [where 'we' can also be 'me'] (Part I)HE IN WE, AND WE IN HE! [where 'we' can also be 'me'] (Part II)MAKE FEBRUARY THANKSGIVING HISTORY MONTHTAKE HEED HOW YOU WALKTrust and ObeySpiritual ImmaturityMake It PersonalCain was Able and So are YouClimate Change
March
Loving My SpouseStop! In the Name of Love!Ask Not, Have Not!Beneficial GraceThe Incomparable ChristRECEIVE The CHIEF CORNERSTONE! Part IRECEIVE The CHIEF CORNERSTONE! Part IIDETRIMENTAL DELAYSFootprints On the Mountainside Part IFootprints On the Mountainside Part II...I SMELL SMOKE IN THE AUDITORIUM...The Heartbeat of His HeartThe Wayward and The ObedientThe Potter and His Vessels of ClayGod Can Use Anybody!You’re Canceled!Today’s Assignment!There You Go, Again!I Messed Up!The Worker and The Work!
2022
January
Dissing Double MindednessCome-to-Jesus MomentNew Year, Same God!Is God Real?O Me of Little FaithNot Another Password!Lamb of GodA Tale of Two SongsGod WinksJesus Working Through MeA Real Friend with BenefitsGod is Trying to Tell Us SomethingEven the Lord, RestedGod’s Word to the RescueLiberty and ConscienceHaving a Made-Up MindMarch Like a SoldierThe Reality of UnityLostMiracle on the Roman RoadA Reference Point, Not a Residence
3 Comments
Praise the Lord for His truth!!!
Amen. HE is faithful, a promise keeper, by whom we can be steadf
... steadfast, strong and courageous. Blessed be the name of the Lord!