Read: Joshua 3:3,5,8; 2 Chronicles 20:14-22; Hebrews 11:6
Devotional
‘… For tomorrow the Lord will do great wonders among you.'
It was the spoken promise of God to His people. God has a plan. After wandering for 40 years in the wilderness, a new generation is ready to enter Canaan, the Promised Land. The challenge of crossing of the Jordan River is that next step in fulfilling that plan. God revealed to Joshua the strategy and once again, God prepares both Joshua and the nation by teaching them the importance of courageous and consistent faith.
LOOKING AT GOD’S PAST FAITHFULNESS
Joshua and Caleb were the only two spies of the twelve, who 40 years earlier believed God’s promise to help them defeat the occupiers and possess the Promised Land. Though the nation of Israel joined the other twelve spies in their unbelief and disobedience, these two continued to believe God and His promises, knowing somehow and someway, God would fulfill His promise. Joshua demonstrated his faith in God as he took up the challenge to lead the nation. Like Joshua, we too, need faith to begin and continue living the Christian life and journey.
While wandering in the wilderness some forty years, the Israelites had to trust God daily to save and guide them. By noticing how God fulfilled these promises to them in the past, they developed strong confidence that He would be faithful in the future and particularly in this moment, to cross the Jordan River. One of the keys to developing a strong, courageous and consistent faith is to reflect on how God has fulfilled His promises in the past.
BELIEVING GOD’S WORD NOW
So the next day, the Lord did a great wonder. The Israelite nation, consisting of some two million people then miraculously crossed the Jordan River to begin the long-awaited conquest of the Promised Land! God and spoken to Joshua and Joshua spoke to the people what God had said and promised: ‘For tomorrow the Lord will do great wonders among you’. All they needed to do, which they had failed to do 40 years earlier, was simply believe what God has said and step out in faith and obedience. Like Joshua and nation of Israel, we need courageous faith to continue to live this life in Christ, listening to His voice and follow His directions.
There is another example of this in 2 Chronicles 20:14-22:
"Early the next morning the army of Judah went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. On the way Jehoshaphat stopped and said, “Listen to me, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Believe in the LORD your God, and you will be able to stand firm. Believe in his prophets, and you will succeed."
Once again God’s people saw the Lord perform another miracle as the enemy attacked and destroyed each other. The key was to believe in Lord and what He had said through His prophets.
Hebrews 11:6 says, "And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him."
SEEING GOD’S MIRACLES TOMORROW
Today, lets please God by exercising our confidence in the Word He has spoken and the promises He has made. As you read his Word and pray into it today, let it stir up faith within in your spirit, believing that‘tomorrow the Lord will do great wonders among you’
Pastor Barry Risto
Prayer Points
Thank God that you are alive to partake in this year’s fasting program.
1 John 1:9 - Confess any known and unknown sins.
Bring sincere repentance unto the Lord regarding any hidden sin that may hinder the move of God during and after this 21-day prayer and fasting
Decree that no plan of the enemy shall hinder you in this 21-day fasting program.
Take spiritual authority over the physical and spiritual in your neighbourhood.
Lord, lead me to where I have never been before with You (mention the areas) in Jesus’ name.
2 Chron 20:15 – In 2019, I will not be afraid because my battle(s) (spiritual, physical, financial, social) are not mine but the Lord’s.
2 Chron 20:15, 17 – In 2019, I will not be discouraged by difficult situations and conditions (army) that may come my way because You will fight for me.
In 2019, cause PPT not to be discouraged by difficult situations in Jesus’ name.
Father, I declare that discouragement will not be my household’s portion in 2019.
Jehovah Nissi, fight PPT’s battles for us in Jesus’ name.
Father, fight my household battles for me in Jesus’ name.
2 Chron 20:17 - Like the people of Judah, stir up my faith with Your presence in Jesus’ name.
Jehovah Shammah, stir up the faith of my household with Your presence.
2 Chron 20:17 – Lord, let Your word stir up my faith in You.
Lord, let Your word stir up the faith of my household and PPT in Jesus’ name.
Father, lead me to the place where hearing or reading Your word stirs up my faith.
God of hosts, lead PPT to the place where hearing or reading Your word stirs up our faith in You.
Heb 11:6 – Lord, remove any faith obstacles (mention them) in my life.
Heb 11:6 -Jehovah remove any faith obstacles in my household and PPT. (mention them)
Lord, stir up the faith of our pastoral team by Your word in Jesus’ name.
Jehovah, release PPT’s Youth Pastor to us in Jesus’ name.
Join the Prayer Conference Call at 6:00 am this morning.
Dial: 647-977-2648
Code: 827-220-552#
Join us tonight for Worship & Prayer in the Main Sanctuary at 7:00 pm.