Trust & Obedience go hand-in-hand

Victory in Obedience

For the past few weeks, I’ve been diving deep into the book of Joshua.   I’ve never really studied much past Israel crossing over the Jordan, and I’m being blown away by how many golden nuggets are in these chapters beyond that event.   One theme that has been tugging on my heart in every chapter thus far has been obedience. More specifically, the obedience of Joshua.   Joshua’s obedience to the Lord is unparalleled.   Not once do we see Joshua doubt, falter or waver in the Lord’s commands. Joshua actively and boldly acts out in obedience, yielding FULLY to the Spirit. Talk about being convicted! Joshua didn’t allow His own wants and needs or even those of the Israelites’ get in the way of God’s commands.   He outright listens to the Lord and puts actions to His commands right away.   My first thought of obedience used to be if I do it on my own time table and my own way, it’s still obedience.   WRONG MENTALITY.    Delayed obedience is straight disobedience. It shows a lack of trust towards the Lord on our part.
    Here’s what I’m learning through these scriptures and the Lord’s faithful nudging on my heart:   Trust and obedience go hand in hand.     If we trust the Lord and trust His ways are higher than our ways, we will be in a better state to obey Him, fully yielded just as Joshua was. But if we doubt He can work in ways we have no control in and don’t yield in surrender, we aren’t going to be willing to obey right away, all the way.    Trust Him. The Lord wants people to fully commit to Him and believe that He is faithful to do as He says He will in our lives.   Are we listening to that voice?   Joshua was. And he trusted what he heard.   Joshua 5:15   “And the commander of the LORD’s army said to Joshua, ‘Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.’ And Joshua did so.”   Joshua did so! Nowhere do we see a pause where He questioned or thought about other options he could pursue.   HE DID SO.   It was his most reasonable response.    Joshua was in total submission before the Lord which in turn led him to act in obedience when the Lord told Joshua to fight other cities because the Lord had already given him victory.   He didn’t doubt that. He trusted and obeyed.
  How much more for our life? In this season of uncertainty. In our schooling. In the mundane.  In relationships.   Family dynamics. Are we trusting and obeying the Lord, taking Him at His word?  Because let me tell you, God knows best. And I’m placing all I have in that three word sentence.   I’ve seen Him come through before, and I know He’ll do it again and again.   Trust, claim, cling and live on the voice of the Lord and obey all He has to say. Because victory is already here. We just need to step out in faithful obedience.   – @rebecca.imondi