How our faith is built… Part 2

I have been anxious to get to the “consecration” part of our Joshua story. It is a crucial piece of how our faith is built. However, as I prepared to write this blog, I realized I was rushing ahead of God. So, before we move to the importance of preparing, we must step back to the place of  “when you see God…”

Last week, we discovered step one of how our faith is built. It is relationship. This is where we get to know God and begin to trust God. Therefore, it would make sense that step two would be all about obedience.

It is easy to be obedient when you trust the One giving the orders. 

Let’s look back at Joshua 3:1-4.

“Early in the morning Joshua and all the Israelites set out from Shittim and went to the Jordan, where they camped before crossing over. After three days the officers went throughout the camp, giving orders to the people: “When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the Levitical priests carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it. Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before. But keep a distance of about two thousand cubits between you and the ark; do not go near it.”

Understanding the importance of trust and obedience is critical when it comes to how our faith is built. The officers went around giving the orders. These were instructions. When your captain gives an order, you don’t question it. You obey it.

I can only imagine what these folks must have been thinking as the officer told them, “We are going to cross this river. When you see God, you are to move out and follow God.” I’m paraphrasing but you get the gist. They kept on, ‘We’ve never been here before and we don’t really know where we are going. But we are going to trust God by following Him right out into that water!” They must have been terrified. I know I would have been.

But here’s the thing; God spoke to Joshua.  Joshua showed his trust in God by obeying what He said. Then, Joshua spoke to the men. The men showed their trust in Joshua by obeying what he said.

Our obedience reflects our trust.

Every act of obedience is a faith building exercise. They trusted Joshua, he trusted God. Joshua obeyed God, they obeyed him and this is how their faith was built.

The Word says, “When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God…, you are to move out from your positions and follow it. Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before.”

My study note says the ark signifies God’s presence. But when we look into the text and read “your God,” we realize this is exactly what we discussed last week. When God becomes “your God,” it is a whole lot easier to trust and obey.

The officers gave the orders, “move out and follow.” Follow God. Isn’t this the best course of action in any given situation?

God was getting ready to do a great thing for these people. But I would argue that God was already doing a great thing by building their faith all along the way.

“Trust and obey, for there’s no other way…”

Through trust and obedience, their faith was being built. Just like ours is. Once we get this piece, now we are ready for the consecration!

“Consecrate yourself, for tomorrow God will do amazing things.”

Let us pray;

Oh Great and Glorious God, thank you for teaching us how to trust, how to be obedient and how to build our faith. You, God, are amazing! Help us to understand what it means to consecrate ourselves in preparation of all the great and magnificent things You are about to do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

P.S. Leave me a comment because I love hearing from you. Forward this message to a friend and ask them to subscribe to my website. Share this on Facebook and tag me in it. Until next time, prepare to be amazed! -M