Moving Forward

"However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him." 1 Corinthians 2:9

We've seen how God works in our hearts during wilderness seasons. He cultivates humility, purity and faith in us as well as a deep hunger for His presence and power. Now we are ready to approach the banks of the Jordan river and consider the Promised Land ahead. For this, we will begin studying the book of Joshua which recounts the Israelites' journey across the river and into Canaan. We will not go through every verse, but try to draw out the most important concepts from each chapter. It is an exciting journey ahead!

Joshua Chapter 1 begins with the death of Moses, who we have already described as a picture of the "Law". Joshua's name was orginally Hoshea (Numbers 13:8) which means "salvation". But Moses changed it to Joshua, which means "Jehovah is Salvation". As "Jehovah's salvation", Joshua is also a picture of Jesus - the only one who can take us into the Promised Land.

God speaks to Joshua in Ch. 1 vs. 2-4 saying, "Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all the people, to the land which I am giving to them - the children of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the River Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your territory." (emphasis mine)

First, note that God did not say, "I will give you the land". He said "I have given it to you." Jon Courson says, "The same is true today. Concerning the things of God, whenever you choose to step out and engage your "sole", that land is already yours. It's a matter of possessing your possession. It's a matter of appropriation. Where do you want to put your soul? Where do you want to plant your foot and say "I believe you for this, Lord. I'm stepping out in this. I'm going after this"?" To me, this is a decison point where we stop wandering and start taking ground in our spiritual lives. It's a recognition of who God is and what He has for us if we will step out and engage our souls with purpose.

Next, God describes the scope of the promised territory in verse 4. For those like me who aren't good at geography, the Promised Land covers about 30,000 square miles! So how far did the Israelites get? Courson states that in Solomon's reign, at the height of their power, the Israelites claimed 3,000 square miles. They only took one-tenth of what God had already given to them! Then he says, "Isn't that like us? We strive for peanuts when the Lord has grapes for us the size of bowling balls. The Lord says, "I've already given you the land. It's already a done deal. It's just a matter of how much of it you want. I won't take you any farther than you choose. But I'll take you as far as you want to go."

Courson continues, "Concerning the Spirit-filled life and the appropriation of the power of the Holy Ghost, many people say, "If the Lord wants to empower me and baptize me, I'm open." But in Genesis 8, we see Noah on the ark, with the dove - a symbol of the Holy Spirit - circling overhead. Noah stretched out his hand and brought the dove in unto him. I believe the Spirit of God is looking for a person, a people, a congregation to land upon. But this will not happen through passivity. Rather, like Noah, He responds to those who see the opportunity and extend their hand to pull Him in unto them. Here in Joshua 1:3, the Lord says, "The land is already yours. It's up to you how far you want to go, how deep you want to be."

This journey is all about allowing God to reign in our hearts and His Spirit to flow freely through us. It is about His power and strength, not ours. But we cannot be passive in the process. God is looking for hearts that are prepared and seeking; hearts that are tired of wandering and hungry for more of Him; hearts that desire to possess all He has already given us.

Thought Question: Think of an area in your life where you are desiring spiritual progress or breakthrough (could be an attitude, relationship, career pursuit, etc.). Are you working in your own strength or the power of God's Spirit? Thank God that He has already given you the land if you will pursue it in Him. Does it change your perspective to know that He wants more for you than you want for yourself?