DEVOTIONAL

As we journey through this life, patient endurance is something that the Lord will teach every one of His children. For the Lord Himself is patient, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love. The Lord is sovereign and has a set time for which He has fixed to accomplish His will in those Whom He has bought with His blood, just as it is written, “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” Therefore the one who seeks to learn patience, is one who will set his face upon the promises of God. This is the man who will persevere even through the darkest of all times. For when the tempest hurls its mighty wind across the turbulent sea, it is the patient man who anchors his boat on the shore who will arrive safely to his destination without any loss of cargo. You too, my brethren, be patient.

In the days of Joshua, providence had set its course 40 years earlier for this generation to enter into the promised land. The nation had learned many lessons from the previous generation who had rebelled against the word of the Lord. And now just as they are about to enter into the promised land, Moses their leader, passes away. In the moment of a crisis the Lord spoke to Joshua saying, “Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go. This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.” Now with all of this anticipation, ready for battle, the Lord told them to go down to the Jordan River and wait three days. Why the delay? This was a group who was eager to go in and take their inheritance. They didn’t come to the threshold of the land and shrink back in fear like their parents, they responded to the word of God and were ready to go in.

It is here that the Lord was teaching His people patient endurance. Though they had waited 40 years for their inheritance, the next three days were crucial. It is here that they would be brought face-to-face with her own inadequacies. They were told to consecrate themselves to the Lord, to be holy set apart for His use. Notice they were not commanded to prepare their sword or their shield, but to prepare their hearts and be patient. They were to wait upon the Lord. This is a unique people and their success does not rest with their own skills. The same ancient truths that we see in the Bible are the same yesterday, today, and for tomorrow. Though we are not crossing the Jordan River as Israel of old, we must also consecrate ourselves to be holy and to the Lord. The valleys of struggle that lie ahead of us are very broad and deep. The enemy is fierce and will seek to shoot his fiery arrows of lust into our breastplate of righteousness. So we must be prepared for action, sober in Spirit with our hope completely fixed upon the Lord Jesus Christ, patiently enduring all things. Christian, may the grace of God be with you.