Joshua 1-5

God’s message to me: Trust God to deal with the problems. All to often I hear that “God helps those who help themselves”. For 40 years in the wilderness God fed people who did not plant, tend gardens harvest or store food. When His people entered the promised land they ate of the fruit that was already growing and enjoyed the supplies set aside by those who opposed God. God helps those who trust and love Him and believing that you must do something to earn it defies the gift.

Promises: God protects us. The Israelites had not continued circumcision while in the wilderness so all the males entering Canaan were uncircumcised. Camping just at the border of their enemies land, they circumcised all the males and trusted God to protect them while they healed. They celebrated the Passover and the feast of unleavened bread with the fruit of the land of Canaan and from their first eating of the produce of the promised land the miraculous provision of manna and quail ceased. God fed them with food from heaven until they could eat the food of the promised land. They were eating food in the time of harvest when they had not been there during the planting. Eating from fields they did not plant as God had promised.

Commands: Trust God to fulfill His promises and provide you with all you need to gain all He has promised. You can’t do it on your own. You are more likely to mess things up by even trying to do it for yourself. Trust God and He will do it all, you just need to praise Him and let the world know you serve the God who does it all for you.

Timeless principles: Even if people refuse to follow God they have no trouble recognizing Him. The people living in Canaan worshiped all manner of false gods but were left quaking in their boots by the power of Jehovah working through His people.

How can I apply what I’ve learned: Never get so arrogant to believe you are successful because of your own abilities. Give God the glory for your success and credit Him for the talents and abilities He does give you to help your success.

more to learn for in-depth study: The miracles witnessed by Israel were no secret. From the plagues of Egypt to the drowning of Pharaohs army. From crossing the sea on dry land as God parted the waters to their survival in the wilderness and all their miraculous victories against overwhelming odds. all of this was known to the surrounding countries and they feared facing Israel in battle because they knew God gave them victory over all who stood against them.

God repeated the parting of the sea for Joshua as the Israelites crossed the Jordan at Jericho. As the priests feet touched the water the water stopped flowing and stood up in a heap up stream while the land immediately dried so that the Israelites walked across on dry land. This occurred during the harvest time when the river is always at flood stage and overflowing it’s banks. The Children of Israel crossed the toughest river at the worst time of year without even getting their feet muddy.

The representatives of the tribes each took a large stone from the middle of the river bed to their first camp and set them up as a reminder of how they were miraculously allowed to cross. Joshua took 12 stones from outside the river and set them in the midst of the river to prove they had passed that way. When all this was done and the people had crossed, the men carrying the Ark of the Covenant were finally allowed to finish crossing and the river returned to flowing.

tomorrow: Joshua 6-9