"How long will you put off entering and possessing the land that the LORD, the God of your fathers, has given you?"
~ Joshua 18:3
Hello and Happy Monday, beauties!
I'm going to apologize in advance because I feel like my thoughts are all over the place today. But, God willing, I'll do my best to be clear and concise and bring it all together in a meaningful way that makes a difference for someone.
Come Holy Spirit, come.
So, here's the thing. I've had a murmuration of thought(s) centered around Joshua, Gideon, Ruth, David, Ezekiel, and more. I only hope I'm able to illustrate the power of process in living under His sovereignty it has demonstrated for me.
Early in his story, Joshua gives us a few stark examples of what life can look like when we seek the Father, wait on Him, listen, and obey... and, what can happen when we don't.
Late in Joshua's life, He looks to the people of Israel and asks, "How long will you put off entering and possessing the land that the LORD, the God of your fathers, has given you?"
The book of Judges is a hot mess, but it does a most excellent job of showing us examples of the ways in which God uses the most unlikely, sinful people to His own purpose, to fulfill His beautiful plans.
Unless He wants to do it all Himself, we mortals are all He has to work with, flawed as we are.
Though, I suppose, in a way, He does do it all... but that's another conversation.
So, Judges. Gideon doubts and questions God over and over. He repeatedly asks God for proof and confirmation. Not once does God get upset. He is patient. He meets Gideon where he is and reassures him time and again of the plan, that he is the right man for the job (again, as flawed as he is,) and that He is real and moving and speaking, and He is with him.
Walking through these stories chronologically, if not so much logically to the thought (we'll come back to that,) we then come to Ruth...
Ruth, who has the boldness to choose a completely foreign life, to declare "Your God will be my God," and of course she didn't know the half of it.
But, she not only chooses to choose and serve YHWH, she trusts, she is obedient, and God-incidences show up all over her life and lead her to great joy and fulfillment.
David is a man after God's own heart, beloved of the Father.
And, Ezekiel steps up and steps out under the most inane Godly guidance, as did Joshua actually.
What do they get for their obedience to what makes seemingly no sense? Joshua sees the walls come tumbling down and Ezekiel sees dry bones come to life.
There are countless other stories in Scripture that demonstrate the astonishing circumstances that come from living likewise.
So, what can we take away from this amalgamation of supremely human characters?
... May we be children after the Father's own heart, knowing we are beloved.
... May we remember to ask Him for guidance, always.
... May we remember to wait for His instruction, and be obedient.
... In our conversations with Him through the task by task back and forth, may we remember that He is patient with us, He is willing to reassure, and He is with us.
... May we step up and step out with nonsensical faith in His leading and have the privilege and blessing of bearing witness to what He does. May we co-labor well.
... May we choose Him and trust Him and serve Him in every breath, in every moment.
... May we boldly enter and possess the "land" that the LORD, the God of our fathers, has given us.
Is it time to step up, step out in faith, and take possession under His watchful eye, hand in hand with Him?
That's between you and the Father.
But, I would guess we each have an area or circumstance in life where the answer is, yes.
Abba,
We are so very grateful for You and Your ways. Thank You for shaping each of our lives and environments and selves to Your purposes.
Thank You for helping us to live in and live out the kind of faith that gets to see walls fall and dry bones come to life.
Thank You for being with us in every breath, in every moment.
You are such a gift. We choose You. We need You. We love You.
In the name of the Son we pray,
Amen
"Jesus declared, ''Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment.'" ~ Matthew 22:37-38
"Open my eyes that I may see wondrous things from Your law." ~ Psalm 119:18
"If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord." ~ Romans 14:8
May the Good Lord bless you and keep you, friends... always, in all ways. Amen.
Bonus song of praise... ♥
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