Preperations for Conquest

OK, this is my kids favorite story. We watch TBN on Saturday mornings because it has Christian cartoons on. There is this one cartoon that the kids love and one of the stories it has shown is the story of Rahab. The story is really a great story to remind us that it is what we do that demonstrates the reality of our faith. Rahab actions are actions of faith where the Canninites actions are actions of fear.

Israels strength needs strengthening and God provides a sign. yea! That is always helpful. Joshua tells them that when the priests carry the ark of God into the Jordan River, then in flood stage, it's waters will dry up. The miracle happens (once again) and the people cross over this river on dry ground. Sound familiar? The Israelites are now just around the corner from meeting face to face with the Canaanites and battle for their new home. Don't you think that all these wonders that God has done for the Israelite promotes faith in them? It should promote faith in us today!

Joshua sets up a nice little heap of stones to commemorate this opening of the water for them to cross. And then he has all the men who are not circumcised to be done so that their covenant with God can become complete. We can all prepare for spiritual warfare by making sure our relationship is right on with God. That's why we are all doing this bible study. To make sure not only that we understand his laws and to obey Him, but to know him. You obey the laws of the USA right? But if you knew the President of the USA personally wouldn't those laws be etched more in your mind and you would try just a bit harder to obey them? I know I would. It is the same with the laws of God. When we get to know Him through His word we want to obey Him that much more!

We can say that we believe in God all day long. We can go to church every Sunday and put our hands up in the air, we can sing all the praise songs we want, but if the actions the other 6 days of the week are not there, are our hearts really where they belong? If the relationship is not there, do we really obey with our hearts or with our minds?

You see there is a huge amount of difference between knowing about God and knowing our God.