Choose to follow Him

You can’t walk in God’s promises if you don’t also choose to follow Him and obey his voice. The Israelites couldn’t enter the promised land before they were united in their choice to follow the Lord. The same principles still apply today.

After Moses’ death, Joshua became the leader of Israel, and he was filled with the Spirit of wisdom (Deuteronomy 34:9). Is this not a wonderful thought? When you are filled with the Spirit of wisdom, you can seek God’s will and execute it effectively.

The Lord promised the following to Joshua after Moses died:

Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised Moses.’ The Lord repeats the words: ‘Be strong and courageous’ when He makes this promise to Joshua. First He says:‘Be strong and courageous…’ and then He says: ‘Be strong and very courageous…’ (Joshua 1: 6 and 7).

Obedience is trust to follow

Joshua chose to trust the Lord and follow Him. Joshua’s first command to the people of Israel was: ‘Prepare your provisions, for within three days you are to pass over this Jordan to go in to take possession of the land that the Lord your God is giving you to possess’ (Joshua 1:11).

What did the Israelites do? They chose to follow! The people answered:

All that you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us, we will go. Just as we obeyed Moses in all things, so we will obey you….’ (Joshua 1:16).

Joshua’s men did not allow any rebellion against Joshua’s commands. However, it is noteworthy that his men clearly said the following to Joshua: “Be strong and courageous.” They weren’t with Joshua when the Lord spoke to him, and without knowing it, they repeated the Lord’s words. It appears that the choice to follow placed them in the Lord’s will, even to the extent of repeating His exact words to Joshua.

We are very privileged to have the Bible to guide us today, we have direct access to the Father through Jesus, and the Holy Spirit leads us. Therefore it is much more important to choose to follow today. We have free access to Him. We can ask Him directly what His will is and then act on it by faith – strong and courageously, just as in the days of Joshua.

May we have the courage to listen to Him, have even more courage to do what He commands us, and may we (and those who follow us) reap the benefits thereof.

Written by Jean Lung.

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