Read Joshua 10:40-43 – So Joshua conquered all the land: the mountain country and the South and the lowland and the wilderness slopes, and all their kings; he left none remaining, but utterly destroyed all that breathed, as the Lord God of Israel had commanded. And Joshua conquered them from Kadesh Barnea as far as Gaza, and all the country of Goshen, even as far as Gibeon. All these kings and their land Joshua took at one time, because the Lord God of Israel fought for Israel. Then Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, to the camp at Gilgal. (NKJV)
How did Joshua win all these battles? Verse 42 holds the answer—God fought for Israel. Other passages tell the story of disobedience and the resulting losses in battle, but here Joshua is congratulated for his faithful obedience and the result is a series of great victories. Could it really be that simple? Could careful obedience to God really bring the results we long for? Scriptures seem to affirm that idea again and again. Isn’t it worth a try? God has clearly demonstrated obedience as the path to pleasing Him, even preferring it over our various acts of worship. In fact, Jesus told us that obedience was the primary way we could demonstrate our love of Him. Can there be any other agenda for God’s men but to be obedient to our God? Make that your priority as the New Year approaches. Let this be a year of obedience for God’s glory…and your benefit!
– Dr. Mike Clarensau serves as Senior Director of the Healthy Church Network of the Assemblies of God.
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