His Word: Joshua 1:5 “No man will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. I will be with you just as I have been with Moses. I will be faithful to you and will not leave you alone.”
Observation and Obedience: God himself spoke these words to Joshua following the death of Moses. It was time for Joshua to get with the program, get moving and take the Israelites across the Jordan to the Promise Land. Up and until this point, Joshua had received most if not all of his instruction, encouragement and plan from God through Moses. Now it was he and God, no more middle man. God himself would equip Joshua. “I will be with you just as I have been with Moses.”
That’s the desire of our hearts isn’t it? We want to hear from God directly. We want to know, beyond a shadow of a doubt that He is with us, guiding us and speaking to us. It’s going to take FAITH in the power of God to be walking in that life. Have you ever asked Him for that for yourself?
It’s easy to fall into the comfortable place of thinking that God speaks to the ones He has chosen to be His voice. I will hear through them. After all, there’s minimal risk in that; there’s someone else to blame if things don’t turn out. It takes a deeper faith to ask God to speak directly to you and then stand on it.
I grew up a PK (Pastor’s Kid). Two of my three brothers are Pastors. I have always known and believed these men speak what God has spoken to them. They are, all three, very passionate and strong in their beliefs, convictions and delivery. It’s easy to turn to them in a crisis and ask them to pray and give guidance. After all, don’t they have the direct line?
Guess what? I also have a direct line and so do you!
It’s not just about being nice, going to church and keeping the Christian rules and principles. God’s desire is for a faith relationship with Him that can be lived out in the power of His Spirit and in the light of His Word.
And, just so you know, we may have to do battle for it. “No man will be able to stand against you all the days of your life.” This part of the verse indicates a warning and a promise. So get ready…..life is going to be full of battles and conflicts and some pretty scary stuff. He’s warned us and He’s promised the VICTORY has already been won! Through the power of the Holy Spirit and the truth of His word we will get through those hard times.
I’d like to share what I’ve learned on this journey. God does still speak to those who will seek Him out and ask. “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. “For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. – Matthew 7:7-8
One of the most profound experiences I’ve had, where I know God answered me directly was my Sand Dollar experience. (you can read it here.) It was the confirmation and assurance that what I had been feeling and hearing in my spirit was right on! But, I had to ask for it! I had to believe the answer (“so, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door.”Matthew 24:33), and then I had to claim it and walk it out. Thankfully, I wasn’t going to be walking it out alone; (Deep Breath) YHWH. My experience there on the beach was my call to COURAGE! I believe that when God tells you something, there’s a reason. So watch for it and be ready.
I had a stirring in me, 3 months before I was diagnosed with cancer, something was coming. I knew in my spirit God was preparing me for something and I wanted to be ready. But why? I believe God not only wanted to prepare me, but He also wanted to prepare the ones that were closest to me. I am so thankful to God for allowing me to prepare my Mom and my husband for what was coming. Those conversations took faith to verbalize. It took faith on their part to believe as well. But because of the sand dollar, I was able to assure both of them that it was going to be all right, it was part of God’s plan. I was OK with it because I knew, to my core, that God was right there and would stay right there with me. “I will be faithful to you and will not leave you alone.”
Telling your parents you have cancer is painful. Telling your children is gut wrenching. You want to protect your kids; that’s always been your role, your responsibility, your heart. But I’m here to testify, God is a good God. In the arms of my son I was comforted, as I held my daughter in my arms I was strong and secure. God knew what each of us would need in that time and He provided all of it and more. Thank You Jesus.
Prayer: Thank You God, for loving me right where you found me. Thank You for wanting and pursuing me. Thank You for making a way back to you through the Sacrifice of your Son. Forgive me for not seeking You first. Your love is more than we can ever hope to comprehend or deserve. May our faith in You be evidence of the Power of Your Holy Spirit and the Love of Christ to others who are struggling, hurting and feeling alone. In Jesus’ Precious and Holy Name we pray. Amen
Encouragement: Be encouraged, be blessed, be strengthened, be empowered. He IS HERE! by Gungor (<—— link to this for today’s encouragement) It’s worth 3:15 minutes
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