Secrets to Enter Your Promised Land

In our Introduction we introduced a very important word and concept that affects all people it is paradigm. We discovered that paradigm essentially means an example, a pattern. Paradigms are everywhere. Some are positive and some are negative. Some lead to death and others lead to life. Everywhere we turn we are challenged to follow someone's example, someone's paradigm. We also discovered that the Bible is full of paradigms - examples we ought to follow in order to live a successful and productive Christian life.

During our last time together we introduced the life of Joshua, a man whose life and relationship with God left us with an exciting paradigm to consider. The excitement is not so much in what Joshua said or did, but it lies in what God proclaimed and the power of His presence to bring it all to pass!

In the first nine verses of the Book of Joshua God breathes life, hope and direction upon this man of God. Joshua is facing some significant challenges in his life and our God steps in with assurances, encouragement, instruction, and power in Joshua's time of need. Let's take a few moments together and look at the first few verses of Joshua's story. As we said last time, you will be pleasantly surprised by what you see because Joshua's story can become your story.

"Now after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to pass, that the LORD spake to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying,"
Joshua 1:1

Here's where we begin Moses' death. Moses was a first leader. He was given the privilege of being a prototype, a trailblazer, one who set the pace for those following after. We can be sure that Moses and Joshua had many conversations during that 40-year trek across the wilderness. We also can be sure Moses spoke of his awesome encounter with God as he received the Ten Commandments, his days in Egypt as Prime Minister and the miraculous change God had made in his life. We can be sure Moses and Joshua had many personal, as well as professional conversations together. Its possible thoughts of the Promised Land filled their minds as they dealt with their wives, children and extended family.

"Daddy, how long will it be before we get to our new home?"

"Are we there yet?"

"Honey, this manna is okay, but when will we get a taste of that 'milk and honey' you and Moses told us about?"

Joshua, as Moses' minister, constantly looked to Moses for answers and guidance during these times. After all, Moses received direct revelation from God. He knew where they were going and how to get there.

But now Moses is dead.

He's gone.

Where does that leave Joshua?

God Speaks!
God speaks to Joshua! This is the powerful message of verse one - God speaks to His people! God recognized the growing dependency Joshua had on Moses, a dependency that developed over 40 years of walking, talking and growing together in the Lord. This dependency is normal and natural with any growing relationship. Trust becomes very strong between two people, especially when both have been faithful to one another over a long period of time. Ask any happily married couple or any person who has lost a spouse or close friend after many years. They can tell you.

God recognized a void was created in Joshua's life with Moses' absence. The horizontal relationship between Moses and Joshua had ceased, but this opened the door for a new dimension of the vertical relationship between Joshua and God. Joshua knew the Lord at one level but these circumstances would be the pathway to a deeper knowledge and experience with God. God speaking would stop all the doubts and fears Joshua would experience from having his life change so dramatically. That's why God spoke.

The Lord wanted Joshua to experience rest and assurance in these seemingly uncertain times. The Lord wanted to assure Joshua that though Moses was gone, He (the Lord) would always be with him wherever he went. That's why God spoke.

Jesus said it this way,

" lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world." Matthew 28:20b

Jesus also said,

"These things I have spoken to you, that in me you might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." John 16:33

God speaking changes everything. His spoken word changes the darkness into light, the misery into joy, and confusion into peace and rest. God knows that the power of His spoken word can transform an unsettled heart into a heart of peace and faith.

It was the spoken word of God through the high priest Eli that assured Hannah she would bear a child. (I Samuel 1:1-20)
It was the spoken word of God through the prophet Elisha that assured a desperate widow her debts would be paid and her family would stay intact.(II Kings 4:1-7)
It was the spoken word of God that assured a centurion that Jesus could heal his servant of the palsy. (Matthew 8:5-10,13)
It was the spoken word of God that delivered a man from an unclean spirit and gave hope to many in Galilee. (Mark 1:23-28)

The list goes on and on.

Are you facing a difficult challenge today? Has your life gone through a dramatic change where there seems to be no answers? Are you facing uncertain times hoping to find peace of mind and a sense of stability and rest? You need to hear God speak, and my friend - He will speak to you.

Just as God stepped into Joshua's life and spoke to him, so will God step into your circumstances and speak a word designed specifically for you. In the next article we will look at what God said to Joshua. Whenever God speaks He doesn't waste words. He has a purpose in mind when He speaks and He expects His word to accomplish His desire and succeed in the matter for which He sent it. You are an object of His desire and you matter a lot to God.

Receive His spoken word.