Joshua 5-6

Before any conquest of the land, the Lord reminds the people who they are and whose they are. The Lord calls the people into two rites of identity and remembrance, circumcision and celebrating the Passover. Circumcision points to identity. Passover remembers how God rescued them. Then just as Moses experienced the presence of God in the burning bush and people did in the cloud and pillar of fire that guided them, now Joshua has a dramatic experience with the commander of the Lord’s army. 

Just as they experienced all these things with Moses, now the people experience them with Joshua. The lessons they have learned in the desert, they are to carry forward. In the desert they learned rhythms of following God as well, relying on him for manna each day, celebrating his festivals. These too would be rhythms to practice in the Promised Land. Relying on God’s word (not manna) and worshipping him (not the nations’ gods) with a whole heart would continue to shape them into his people. 

While many people may see taking Jericho as the great faith-filled risk that the Israelites took, let’s not overlook the faith-filled risk to be faithful to God in a world that is counter to that idea. The daily practices of relying on God’s word and loving him with all our heart build the faith muscle to give us courage/ to sustain us to take the grander faith filled risks when they come.

• What Bible verse or word from God are you holding on to in this season? 
• How have you seen God’s faithfulness to you as well as those who came before you?

Holy Father, reveal to me if there is sin in me to confess. Thank you for rescuing me from a life of sin. I want to worship you with my whole heart. May I be faithful to the words you’ve given me in the Bible and in prayer. Build my faith muscle, help me to be faithful in the little things. Amen