Tag: Faith

Bible Studies

“Leave Nothing Undone” Conquering New Territory: The Book of Joshua (….through faith, courage, obedience, and devotion to the Word of God)

Loring Schultz

“Just as the LORD had commanded Moses his servant, so Moses commanded Joshua, and so Joshua did. He left nothing undone of all that the LORD had commanded Moses.” Joshua 11:15 ESV

            There will come a time in your new surroundings of your new territory where you will reach a comfortability level, mine is usually around the three to four month range. I hesitate to use the word ‘completion’ for in reality we are never completely finish with anything as long as we have breath. But becoming comfortable in your new territory is a sign you have been faithful in obeying God in His leading. You will see how the Lord directed as you look back over your introduction period. It is also a time to review if there is anything you may have left on the table, anything left undone that God has instructed you to do during your settling in to your new place.

            We look again to Joshua and the nation Israel as this study comes to a close. Israel had been led to the shores of the Jordan River after forty years of wandering in the wilderness. Leadership was passed down from Moses to Joshua to lead the people into the Promised Land. A side note here; the tribes of the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh had already received their inheritance on the west side of the Jordan which is also part of the Promised Land. However, the fighting men from each tribe were to accompany their brothers in battle of conquering the new territory returning when the land was in control.

            Under Joshua’s leadership from the Lord’s commands Israel had great success as God opened up the Jordan River for them crossing over safely. They were led to victory over Jericho as the walls surrounding the city fell down flat. With the Lord’s miraculous help Joshua and the nation Israel continued clearing the land of their enemies until they had control of it. Overall, Israel was able to accomplish this as they followed God’s instructions of being strong, courageous, faithful and obedient to His commands.

            Several insights from God’s Word, apart from being strong, courageous, faithful, and obedient, were noted throughout the last ten weeks to encourage us in conquering our new territory. We learned not to dismiss those in our lives God has placed there, such as Rahab, the harlot. They may very well be used in aiding us through the tough terrain. Being totally committed to following the Lord and His instructions is vital. Joshua and the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord were totally committed as they set their feet in the waters of the Jordan River during flood stage and the people followed. (Perhaps you are setting an example for others by stepping out into the impossible, but possible with God) Remembering what the Lord has done for us also serves as an example and encouragement to others as they witness our lives.

            Our most important insight; Continual prayer and worshiping God is the foundation to our relationship with the one who is leading us in our move into our new territory. It is where we find the faith, strength, courage, and obedience to carry on, especially when things get tough as we saw last week with Israel faced with fighting a coalition of five armies. Above all, we have seen the faithfulness of God in supporting and fighting for Israel in entering the land that God had promised them they would be enter and would be theirs. We have also seen the forgiveness and restoration provided to us when we disobey and sin against God. It doesn’t alter His plans for us. It may set us back, but His plans still prevails

            If you have already reached your comfortability level in your new territory, or still have a ways to go, one last insight for you to remember when getting there. Leave nothing undone. The Bible tells of Joshua leaving nothing undone. “Just as the LORD had commanded Moses his servant, so Moses commanded Joshua, and so Joshua did. He left nothing undone of all that the LORD had commanded Moses.” (Jos. 11:15 ESV) Joshua followed through on all he was commanded and led to do. We are to do the same. Look carefully, observe well, and notice anything that may have been put aside for later but now needs to be done. Leave nothing undone and settle peaceably in the new territory God has for you. He has placed you there. He has plans for you there.

“So Joshua took control of the entire land, just as the LORD had instructed Moses. He gave it to the people of Israel as their special possession, dividing the land among the tribes. So the land finally had rest from war.” (Jos. 15:23 NLT)

Read Joshua 11, Israel Defeats the Northern Armies: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joshua%2011&version=NLT

Bible Studies

“Your Miraculous Day” Conquering New Territory: The Book of Joshua (….through faith, courage, obedience, and devotion to the Word of God)

Loring Schultz

“There has never been a day like this one before or since, when the LORD answered such a prayer. Surely the LORD fought for Israel that day!” Joshua 10:14 NLT

            Moving into a new stage in life is difficult as we have been examining for several weeks now. Adjustments need to be made, accepted, and adhered to. Wisdom in determining your priorities are essential in on-going decision making as you proceed through your new territory. All these under the direction of God who is leading you through it with your faith, courage, obedience and trust in Him. Managing through the tough times with the Lord’s help is such an encouragement and motivates us to keep going as well feel His blessings. We are thankful for His help and guidance for even the small things, for even the small things add up to a big thing. And sometimes a big thing can be so overwhelming you cannot imagine or see your way through it. But God has not stopped leading you and is about to see you through as only He can.

            Joshua and the nation of Israel had been under the Lord’s guidance through a miraculous crossing of the Jordan River, conquering the city of Jericho and Ai after a second attempt due to their sin. They had partaken of the fruit of the land as the manna stopped once settled in the Promised Land. They were beginning to feel confident and comfortable in their position leading them to make the mistake of not seeking the Lord in a matter they deemed a small thing. That small thing of making a treaty with Gibeon turned out to be a big thing. We at times begin to get over confident when things go well for us forgetting that it is the Lord who is accomplishing His work through us. Although this gets us into a mess at times, the Lord has not abandon us and will see us through as He did for Joshua and Israel.

            In Joshua chapter 10 we learn that five surrounding cities have allied together to attack Gibeon who made the treaty with Israel. Gibeon fearful of the outcome sought Joshua and Israel for their help in this battle. But now instead of fighting one city at a time, Israel was faced with the five armies of the Amorite kings at once. Overconfidence by trusting in ourselves does not always work to our advantage as Israel is about to find out.

            Our Lord is gracious to us even in our downfalls. He was gracious to Joshua and his fighting men as they approached the battle scene. A message from the Lord that was very familiar was spoken once again, “’Do not be afraid of them,’ the LORD said to Joshua, ‘for I have given you victory over them. Not a single one of them will be able to stand up to you.’” (Jos. 10:8 NLT) Once again Joshua is assured victory with the Lord’s help. The Bible says God threw the invading armies in a panic and Joshua and his men slaughtered them in great numbers. The Lord God also sent a hail storm upon the retreating Amorite armies killing more of them than were killed in battle with Joshua. The Lord indeed was fighting for Israel. As much as a miracle that was, Joshua receives another miracle as an answer to his prayer marking this as his miraculous day.

            Joshua prayed, “’….Let the sun stand still over Gibeon, and the moon over the valley of Aijalon.’ So the sun stood still and the moon stayed in place until the nation of Israel had defeated its enemies.” (Jos. 10:12b-13a NLT) What a spectacular event! The sun stood in its place allowing Joshua’s army additional daylight and time to defeat their enemies. There are several theories as to the meaning of the sun standing still. Some say an eclipse of the sun occurred providing them with shade, others view it as language of observation in that Joshua’s army only felt the day was longer as they were able to accomplish the victory, and then others as myself, claim that the sun did indeed stand still. It was a miracle by the creator God who spoke the universe into existence now suspended the earth from rotating in its normal pattern for a day.

            If you are currently in a bad place in your new territory by your own doing and see no way out way of the tunnel you drove yourself into, ask the Lord to help you see the His light at the end of that tunnel. Ask Him to extend the daylight in your battle, whatever it is, long enough for you to see clearly His direction and allow Him to continue to fight your battles. Do not get overconfident in trusting yourself and end up in bad place, but if you do ask the Lord to extend to you, ‘your miraculous day.’

Read Joshua 10:1-15, Israel Defeats the Southern Armies: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joshua%2010%3A1-15&version=NLT

Bible Studies

“It’s Not Your Battle” Conquering New Territory: The Book of Joshua (….through faith, courage, obedience, and devotion to the Word of God)

Loring Schultz

“But the LORD said to Joshua, ‘I have given you Jericho, its king, and all its strong warriors.’” Joshua 6:2 NLT

            Chapter 6 of the book of Joshua in the Old Testament contains a familiar story many adults remember from their Sunday school days as a child. Children being taught the story of the battle of Jericho today will have the same memories along with memories from many other children stories through the many children books available to them. The major difference with the story of the battle of Jericho is that it is a true, real life story from the pages of the Bible. Most children books present many life lessons through reaching youngsters at their age level, stories in Scripture do much the same thing with stories such as of the battle of Jericho.

            Children’s Bible stories often have a way of helping us later in our adult life in situations we find difficult to handle. Navigating through our series of conquering new territory we now find ourselves at the cusp of going into battle removing the obstacles and distractions in entering the territory God has for us. The Promised Land of Canaan is where the Lord wanted His people to be and they are about to enter and settle in it. This will now be their toughest part of the journey. It will involve many major physical battles to take over the land. The first battle will be in conquering the city of Jericho, but take note what the Lord had said, “But the LORD said to Joshua, ‘I have given you Jericho, its king, and all its strong warriors.’” (Jos. 6:2 NLT) Joshua did not need to draw up a battle plan in taking Jericho. The Lord’s plan would suffice, He has already given them Jericho. They only needed to follow the Lord’s command. It was God’s battle and not theirs.

             We have noted to successfully conquer new territory we need to have faith, courage, obedience, and devotion to Word of God. The nation of Israel needed to apply all of the above, but needed particularly to have strong faith for they were about to witness some unconventional battle plans-the Lord God’s battle plans. Joshua was instructed to march around the city of Jericho once each day for six days with his army, the priests, and the Ark of the Lord. On the seventh day they were to march around the city seven times with the priests blowing their horns. Joshua then gave the command for all the people to shout and the walls of the city of Jericho fell down flat. Having the city completely surrounded before the walls fell, they were now in positions to overrun the city from every direction.

            If the Lord has unconventional plans as part of your transition, accept them and have the faith that God knows what He is doing. Israel was obedient to God having faith in Him from the experience of crossing the Jordan River. Rely on previous blessings and the things the Lord has done for you so far in your journey into your new territory. He has brought you this far and he is not going to abandon you or allow to fend for yourself. The Ark of the Lord symbolized to Israel that the Lord God was with them, leading them, and He was the one who would conquer the city. They only needed to have faith, courage, and obey. The Lord God is also with you and is still leading you, so trust Him in His unconventional plans.

            The Lord will reward your faithfulness as He did for Rahab when she hid and protected the men who came to spy out the city. We read in Joshua 6:22, “Joshua said to the two spies, ‘Keep your promise. Go to the prostitute’s house and bring her out, along with all her family.’” (NLT) Take notice of the miracle within the miracle. When the walls around Jericho collapsed, the portion of the wall which housed Rahab did not fall, it was still standing. Walls around you may be collapsing, but it could very well be the Lord rewarding your faith in trusting Him. The dust will settle. You’ll soon be in your Promised Land. Remember the battle is not yours, the battle belongs to the Lord.

Read Joshua 6, The Fall of Jericho: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joshua%206&version=NLT

Bible Studies

“Total Commitment” Conquering New Territory: The Book of Joshua (….through faith, courage, obedience, and devotion to the Word of God)

Loring Schultz

“So the people left their camp to cross the Jordan, and the priests who were carrying the Ark of the Covenant went ahead of them.” Joshua 3:14 NLT

            A major cause in failing to succeed in conquering new territory is the failure to make a total commitment to see it through. There may be legitimate reasons for the hesitation such as; being in new territory you haven’t been there before, there is a reluctance to leave your current comfort space, and fear of the unknown ahead of you are some reasons to take a step back and not totally commit. Unfortunately some new territory we are to conquer is beyond our control and we need to do our best to conquer it. Certain life situations will not allow us the luxury of putting off the change that is necessary in our lives. We need to act, making the commitment to see it through until completion.

            The good news is we do not need to do it alone. As Christians we have the Holy Spirit to guide us along the way. The Lord God will lead us into our new territory. There is nothing that takes God by surprise. He is aware of everything that comes into our lives, and in fact is a part of His sovereign will. If the Lord has new territory for us to conquer according to His will, we can be sure He has already put in place the necessary means to conquer it.

            The children of Israel had new territory to conquer in entering the land God had promised them. Not only would they face battles in capturing each city, but the first battle they faced was to cross the Jordan River at flood stage. Once across the Jordan, there would be no easy retreat back from the armies of the major cities. The time had come for all Israel to make a total commitment of faith to the Lord God. Israel did just that under Joshua’s leadership. After the spies returned with a good report, Joshua wasted no time in preparing to continue on with the Lord’s plan. We read in Joshua 3:1, “Early the next morning Joshua and all the Israelites left Acacia Grove and arrived at the banks of the Jordan River, where they camped before crossing.”

            Along the Jordan River for the next three days Joshua and his officers instructed the hundreds of thousands of Israelites in the procedure of crossing over. They were to follow the Levitical priests who would be carrying the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord, following at a distance of a half mile behind so all would be able to see it. The Lord would be leading them for they had not travelled that way before. Joshua also commanded them to purify themselves, an outward cleansing and an inward devotion to God. This was a solemn occasion and they were about to see the Lord God do miraculous things.

            Israel witnessed the great power of God that their fathers saw forty years earlier when they witnessed the parting of the Red Sea. The Lord commanded the priests who were carrying the Ark of the Covenant to step into the Jordan River and upon descending from the river banks the water started to back up upstream twenty miles away in the city of Adam. The nation of Israel then crossed the Jordan River on dry ground. The Lord God was aiding Israel in their venture of conquering their new territory. The nation totally committed by faith, obedience, courage, and devotion to God the plan in bringing them into the Promised Land. 

            Whatever new territory we are in or about to enter, let us learn from the example of Joshua and the nation of Israel. The Lord desires that we be totally committed to Him and the plans He has for us. He always has our best interests at heart and nothing in His plans are designed to hurt us but for us to be successful and to grow spiritually in Him. Paul writes in the book of Romans encouraging words for us as we totally commit to God in conquering our new territory, “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”

Read Joshua 3 Total Commitment, The Israelites Cross the Jordan: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joshua+3&version=NLT

Bible Studies

“Rahab: An Unlikely Ally” Conquering New Territory: The Book of Joshua (….through faith, courage, obedience, and devotion to the Word of God)

Loring Schultz

“For the LORD your God is the supreme God of the heavens above and the earth below.” Joshua 2:11b NLT

            Conquering new territory in your life is not something you try to achieve on your own, although many have tried and failed. For Christians, we are to trust God and follow His leading wherever it leads us, and to whomever He assigns to help us. The nation of Israel had an unlikely ally in helping them secure sensitive information about the city of Jericho and its surrounding territory. Joshua sent out two men on a covert operation to spy out the land they were about to conquer with their first stop the city of Jericho. Jericho was the key city of the entire southern Jordan valley. Their mission was to survey the scope of the land, food and water resources, and the military strength of Jericho.

            When the two men entered Jericho they went to house of Rahab, a prostitute, and spent the night there. An overnight visit to a prostitute would not incur suspicion concerning their mission. Rahab’s house was also on the wall providing an easy escape if found out. The two spies realized early on how the Lord led them to Rahab’s house. The king of Jericho found out that spies from Israel had come into Jericho. Rahab hid the spies in her home and protected them from capture as she was questioned as to their whereabouts. God had used the most unlikely person in the carrying out of His will by protecting the spies, Rahab the prostitute.

            Some may question and rightly so, didn’t Rahab sin by lying to the king’s servants by admitting they were there but now gone. (Jos. 2:3-5) Yes, lying is a sin, but note, Rahab was not commended for her sin, but for her faith. (Heb.11:31) Also in the Oriental custom of that day, guarding a guest in your home was held as one of the highest virtues of hospitality.

            Rahab had come to know the true God. Her confession to the spies leaves no doubt saying to them, “For the LORD your God is the supreme God of the heavens above and the earth below.” (Jos. 2:11b) She had made known to them how all her people heard of God’s miraculous works in bringing Israel out of Egypt and that they were destined to inhabit their land. Fear and terror had succumb to every individual in the land. While all her people feared Israel and the Lord God, Rahab had faith in God and His mercy having the courage to protect the spies from the authorities of her city. 

            So certain was Rahab that God is the supreme God capable of giving Israel their land, she asked for safety of herself and her entire family when Israel came to take over Jericho. The spies agreed to protect her and her family providing she would not betray them. She let down by a scarlet rope along the outside wall of her house for their escape instructing them to hide in the hill country for three days until the pursuers give up the search. God’s providence in protecting the spies is seen all through Joshua chapter 2. The hiding place the Lord provided for the spies was in a mountainous region with limestone cliffs 1,500 feet high with many caves. These were actually the caves where the Dead Sea scrolls were discovered centuries later.

            The scarlet rope has significant meaning both for Rahab and for us today. The scarlet (red) rope hanging from the outside of Rahab’s window symbolizes the lambs blood sprinkled on the doorposts providing safety and protection of the first born of Israel. We see it today as the atoning blood shed by Christ on the cross of Calvary for our sins. Both needing protection from the consequences of our sin by the sacrifice of the perfect Lamb of God.

            The Lord God used Rahab, an unlikely ally, to be used by God in helping His people in conquering their new territory. Don’t dismiss those in your life God may using in aiding you through the tough terrain.

Read Joshua 2, Rahab: An Unlikely Ally: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joshua+2&version=NLT

Bible Studies

“Be Strong and Courageous” Conquering New Territory: the book of Joshua (……through faith, courage, obedience, and devotion to the Word of God)

Loring Schultz

“Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them.” Joshua 1:6 NLT

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

            The Old Testament book of Joshua is an excellent source of reference when starting any new venture in life. Transition periods can be overwhelming and even frightening even if you are convinced it is the way to go, after all you are conquering new territory and you haven’t been this way before. Joshua was chosen by God to be Moses’s replacement in leading the nation of Israel into the Promised Land. Wandering in the wilderness desert for forty years, those about to conquer new territory only knew a life of wandering. Perhaps becoming complacent they would now be faced with the responsibility of overtaking an entire land and destroying their enemies who occupied the land. No doubt they needed to be strong and courageous, but from where will they get the strength and courage needed to be successful. The source of their strength, as we will see, is also our source needed to conquer new territory; faith, courage, obedience, and total devotion to the Word of God. So let us begin.

            Our first insight is to see that God always keeps His promises. He promised that Israel would become a great nation and that He would lead them to the Promised Land. The Lord made this promise to Abraham in the book of Genesis, “The LORD had said to Abram, ‘Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others…….Look as far as you can see in every direction—north and south, east and west. I am giving all this land, as far as you can see, to you and your descendants as a permanent possession.’ (Gen. 12:1-2, 13:14-15 NLT) The promise to Israel is about to be fulfilled. God always keeps His promises and you can be sure He will provide the necessary means for you and me to accomplish what He has promised us as He promised and provided for Joshua and the nation of Israel.

            The Lord gave Joshua four specific orders to carry out in his commission to service. Joshua was to go over the Jordan River with Israel, which was at flood stage at that time of year. He was to be strong and courageous. Joshua was to lead the people in conquering and possessing the Promised Land, and he was to obey all the Law of God as Moses had instructed him. The nation of Israel was about to embark on conquering new territory. Joshua was about to experience new territory as a leader for the first time. Both had the assurance that God was with them for He said, “Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Jos.1:9 NLT)

            Life is filled with new challenges to overcome. Many of us have new territory to conquer due to family situations, health concerns, aging, financial needs, parenting, employment, and many other unexpected life events. The Lord is aware of our situations and concerns. He specifically knows of the new territory you need to conquer, and the first thing He wants us to do is to trust Him and ‘be strong and courageous.’ The phrase ‘be strong and courageous’ appears four times in the first chapter of the book of Joshua. The Lord wanted to make His point to Joshua, Israel, and to us to ‘be strong and courageous.’ We do not need to conquer new territory on our own. The Lord God is with us giving us the strength and courage we need when trust Him as He lead us and we are obedient to His Word.

             “Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. This is my command—be strong and courageous!” (Jos. 1:8-9a NLT)

Read Joshua 1, Be Strong and Courageous: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joshua+1&version=NLT