March 23

Joshua 3:1-6:27

God often calls his people to do strange things. Joshua is told to send the Ark of the Covenant and the priests to the edge of the Jordan River and it will part. What a strange request! Then they are told to stop and circumcise all the men who are yet uncircumcised, making themselves a target for attack. What a strange request!! Then they are commanded to march around a walled city and blow trumpets and the walls will fall. Again, what a strange request!!! Yet in all these instances, Israel responds in obedience. They recognize that no matter how strange the command, God should be trusted and obeyed.

We see this thread throughout the Bible, whether in the call to Abraham to offer his son, the Father's sending of the Son to die on a cross, or the myriads of commands in the New Testament which pit us against the values of our culture. In every instance, we must decide whether we will obey God or our broken hearts and broken culture. The commands may seem strange, but obedience is always worth it.

Father God, help me to walk in obedience to your ways. Help me to obey when it makes sense and when it does not. Help me to trust you, walk with you, and choose to obey you. Amen.

What commands in the Bible do you find most confusing? What might be God's purpose in these things?

No Comments