Joshua 1

Steve Holloway

Way back in Genesis, God promised Abram that his descendents would become a nation. Moses brought the promise closer to fulfilment in leading the Hebrew people out of slavery, across the desert towards the promised land.

In Joshua 1 we find the Hebrews at the edge of their destiny. Camped at the bank of the river Jordan they are within a stones throw of being part of the fulfilment of God's promise. Once they cross the Jordan, they would literally be living the dream - living the promise.

God had outlined the territory He had for them (verse 4). There was a very specific geographic area they had been given and were to take hold of; the land and all within it was theirs in God. There were cities to conquer, journeys to take and pastures to explore.

Their first challenge would be Jericho, a city that had never been conquered, surrounded by a wall that had never been penetrated. It was so formidable that songs were sung about Jericho's strength.

Faced with such a frightening prospect it must have been tempting for them to cross the river, set up camp 50 yards on the other side, sit back and rest in the knowledge that they are right in the will of God and His promise is being fulfilled in and through them. While that may have been theoretically true, it would have been missing the point.

God's promise (and inherent command) was to 'occupy'. He was calling them to spread through the land, fill it and really 'live' in it.

We all live in the promises of God - the Christian life is God's promise for us. In many ways it would be easy to camp just the other side of salvation and rest, but he has so much more for us. There are battles to fight, strongholds to take and treasures to uncover. In order for us to fulfil all God has promised us, we must move. If we simply 'camp out' we will miss so much that God has in mind for us - more than any eye has seen or mind conceived. God calls us to take hold of Him and His word and not simply sit back with outstretched hands waiting.