Promises. Promises.

Lately, thoughts of direction, promises and oaths have been on my mind. I have been pondering what it takes to truly be a hearer of the Lord and then follow without question.

About a month ago, I began to study the book of Joshua, which if filled with episode after episode of God literally handing the kingdoms and countries of Canaan over to the Israelite nation under the new leadership of Joshua. They were given the land of Canaan for one reason: they were promised it. So the LORD gave Israel all the land he had sworn to give their forefathers, and they took possession of it and settled there. The LORD gave them rest on every side, just as he had sworn to their forefathers. Not one of their enemies withstood them; the LORD handed all their enemies over to them. Not one of all the LORD's good promises to the house of Israel failed; every one was fulfilled. Joshua 21:43-45

Throughout the book of Joshua, the Israelites were faced with battle after battle opposing overwhelming armies; and yet they still fought. Why?? Because they trusted in the promise given to them by their God. Joshua--thought to be one of history's greatest military leaders--lead the Israelites with a two-fold methodology. 1.) He listened to the Lord, and 2.) he acted upon what the Lord commanded. It's as simple as that. He encouraged God's people with sure victory solely because of God's promise. He faithfully trusted God to deliver them, just as God had done so many times in the past.

The Israelites' reality was of a foreign land that was given to them. They were constantly claiming the unfamiliar land God was providing to them. I don't know about you, but this is the feeling that wreaks havoc on the pit of my stomach. Every day I feel as if I am called into uncharted territory. I am living in a world that has been given to me--my home, my family, my freedom, my job. What are we to do with these precious gifts? How are we to exist in a "world of reception?" What right do I have to take this inheritance and make it my own? Because it is just that. It's an inheritance and it has been given to us...freely.

God is waiting for His children to step up empowered and take this "land"--this life--He has already granted to us. So Joshua said to the Israelites: "How long will you wait before you begin to take possession of the land that the LORD, the God of your fathers, has given you?" Joshua 18:3 How long will it take us to do the same?

As joint heirs to the Kingdom of God, we will attain our heavenly treasure at some point in the future; however, we are NOW being given daily a share of our inheritance here on earth. Jesus called out repeatedly, "He who has ears, let them hear!" Our inheritance consists of having our eternal God reveal Himself to us--this is what Joshua understood. He knew this promise and listened up, and as a result, God was revealed to Him and the "land was given over to them." And then, even more land was given to them. "Whoever can be trusted with little can also be trusted with much" Luke 16:10a.

As the tribes of Israel, returned from war to their new homes, Joshua encourages them with one last instruction. But be very careful to keep the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the LORD gave you: to love the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to obey his commands, to hold fast to him and to serve him with all your heart and all your soul." Joshua 22:5

As we take hold of the promises God has set before us, we would be wise to do the same.