Consider how or if your plan will help you, “to love the Lord your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cling to him and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul (Joshua 22:5-6).
And don’t forget to pray. God knows the plans he has for you, to give you a future with hope (Jeremiah 29:11).
The Lord gave to Israel all the land that he swore to give their fathers. . . .
The Lord gave them rest on every side just as he had sworn to their fathers. . . .
Not one word of all the good promises that the Lord had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass (Joshua 21:42-45, bold mine).
Claim God’s good promises when you pray.
Here’s a story to consider. God’s people had not yet moved to the land He had for them. Joshua told them to “go up and down in the land and write a description of it (Joshua 18:3-8).”
They did that and Joshua asked for a specific place and by command of the Lord they gave him that city (from Joshua 19:50).
The God who made the world and everything in it . . . determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live (Acts 17:24-26).
The descendants of Joseph came to Joshua and asked, “Why have you given us only one portion of land as our homeland when the Lord has blessed us with so many people?
Joshua replied, “If the hill country is not large enough . . . clear as much of the land as you wish, and take possession of its farthest corners (Joshua 17:14-18).”
Ask God to give what you need.
The Lord told Joshua, “You are growing old and much land remains to be conquered. . . . I myself will drive these people out of the land ahead of the Israelites. So be sure to give this land to Israel as a special possession (Joshua 13:1-6).”
The God to whom we pray knows who we are and what we can do. He does all the rest.
The Israelites did not consult the Lord and they were deceived (Joshua 9).
Seek God’s counsel.
The walls of Jericho had just fallen. God’s name was honored in the land. Then someone sinned, the Israelites were defeated at Ai, and the hearts of the people melted.
Here’s some of what Joshua prayed: “O Lord God, Why? What will happen to the honor of your great name (Joshua 7:9)?”
Consider God’s honor as you suffer sin’s consequences.
The priests in this story gave a great example for us to follow. Here’s what happened:
The priests went first, stepping into an overflowing Jordan River. Then God held the water back. The priests stood in the middle of the river while the people hurried across. When everyone was safely on the other side, the priests crossed over as the people watched (read the whole story in Joshua 3 -4).
Step out, stand still, and pray. Others will follow.
Rahab heard about God and said, “The Lord your God, he is God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath (Joshua 2:11).”
Rahab knew God could save anyone. She pleaded not only for herself, but also for her family. “Please . . . save alive my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them (Joshua 2:12-13).”
Follow Rahab’s example. Plead for the lives of your family.
The Lord your God has promised, “I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you (Joshua 1:5).”
Pray to the Lord who is with you.
A Blog on Prayer 