Jesus in Joshua: Possessing God’s Promises
The name Joshua means “Yahweh saves”. Joshua’s leadership with God’s people has a stark difference from Moses’ leadership.
Both men led God’s people through the water. Notice Joshua never lifted up a rod and in fact the miracle centers around a team of leaders carrying God’s presence rather than a single person.
Joshua 3:14-16 …the priests carrying the ark of the covenant went ahead of them. 15 Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest. Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, 16 the water from upstream stopped flowing... NIV
Moses was the leader who God used to address deep immaturities and insecurities. Joshua was now taking people that had been trained and equipped to become more mature as warriors.
Maturity is learning to take steps on our own without requiring somebody else to get us all the places God is wanting us to go.
Having to be inspired to do what is right is the lowest form of maturity!
Going Deeper
The book of Joshua begins with the nation of Israel at the banks of the Jordan River, across from Jericho. Numerous military campaigns are listed where Israel defeats those in the land.
Passing through the Jordan River at flood stage wasn’t merely breaking free from bondage and destroying that which had held them captive. Passing through this water was moving on to a greater place of promise requiring a more mature faith.
Some people never grow forward beyond salvation. Thank God they came to know Jesus but there is a lot of heaven on earth we miss if we stop there!
Maturity is learning to take steps on our own without requiring somebody else to get us all the places God is wanting us to go.
Having to be inspired to do what is right is the lowest form of maturity! We grow and mature in the studying God’s Word, in being God’s family as the church, in advancing God’s Kingdom in our everyday lives.
When my daughter was in the hospital as an infant I was reading, praying, walking, declaring and laying my hands on her proclaiming God’s Words over her!
When my family is healthy I’m reading, praying, walking, declaring and laying my hands on my family proclaiming God’s Words over them!
Don’t wait until the battle to start training for a fight. Let Joshua’s declaration be your own!
Josh 24:15 As for me and my house we are going to serve the Lord! NAS
Thank God we came to know Jesus but there is a lot of heaven on earth we miss if that’s where we stop!
Even when we conquer we must continue to conquer. May we never forget it is a fight. Why we’re so serious at Destiny about your faith.
Joshua 12 lists 31 kings Israel had conquered! Think about some conquered areas in your life and let’s give God praise.
Joshua 13:1 “…there are still very large areas of land to be taken over.” NIV
Joshua begins dividing up the conquered land. Just because the land is conquered doesn’t mean it’s not a fight.
Ex 6:8 And I will bring you to the land I swore with uplifted hand to give to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob. I will give it to you as a possession. I am the Lord.
A blessed life is your inheritance in Christ and your reward from God.
Your breakthrough isn't your resting place. Breakthrough means you just picked a fight on another level.
Josh 18:3 So Joshua said to the sons of Israel, "How long will you put off entering to take possession of the land which the LORD, the God of your fathers, has given you? NASB
Josh 21:43 So the LORD gave Israel all the land which He had sworn to give to their fathers, and they possessed it and lived in it. NASB
He gave it but they had to possess it and occupy it. This meant they had to fight for it and then keep it up. The promises of God come with great responsibility!
Not just bringing you out but establishing you to take you in. He’s not just taking you in.
No generation can effectively disciple itself.
Ps 78:4 “We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done.”
GP4RL:
Post publicly your love and appreciation every day for somebody who God has used to father and mentor your life.