Your Daily Devotional for July 5, 2007

 

July 5,  2007

 

 

The Result of Faith

by Dr. Paul Chappell

 

 

"And as they that bare the ark were come unto Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brim of the water, (for Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of harvest,) That the waters which came down from above stood and rose up upon an heap very far from the city Adam, that is beside Zaretan: and those that came down toward the sea of the plain, even the salt sea, failed, and were cut off: and the people passed over right against Jericho. And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan."

 

Joshua 3:15-17

 

 

Over the past few days, we have seen that God requires each of us to step out in faith and trust Him during certain times in our lives. There will be times when God asks us to do something that requires a step of faith. We must not only choose to trust Him, but we must act on that choice and obey Him. Today, let's see the result of stepping out by faith and obeying God.

 

One result of faith is the blessing of God. When Joshua and the Israelites trusted God and stepped into the Jordan River to cross, God parted the river and allowed them to pass on dry ground. He provided a miracle for them when they took that step of faith! If they had not obeyed Him, they would not have seen God's provision and miracle.

 

When we trust God and obey Him, we will be able to experience things beyond our imagination. God desires to bless our lives, but He cannot bless us if we are not obeying Him. Just like the Israelites, when we obey God, He will provide for us and will guide us where we need to go. God will bless us as we step out by faith and obey Him.

 

Another result of trusting God is a strengthened faith. Later in the book of Joshua we see the account of an attempted attack on the Israelites by their enemies. Joshua 11:5 says, "And when all these kings were met together, they came and pitched together at the waters of Merom, to fight against Israel." The mighty armies of Canaan had come against Israel to destroy them.

 

But God reassured Joshua in the next verse, "Be not afraid because of them: for to morrow about this time will I deliver them up all slain before Israel: thou shalt hough their horses, and burn their chariots with fire." God promised that He would give them the victory as they trusted and obeyed Him.

 

Joshua had seen God's provision at the Jordan River, and because He had trusted Him then, he had the faith to trust God in the face of danger. Joshua 11:7-8 tell us the outcome of the battle, "So Joshua came, and all the people of war with him, against them by the waters of Merom suddenly; and they fell upon them. And the LORD delivered them into the hand of Israel, who smote them, and chased them unto great Zidon, and unto Misrephothmaim, and unto the valley of Mizpeh eastward; and they smote them, until they left them none remaining." God gave the Israelites the victory once again as they trusted God and obeyed Him. Even so, when we trust God, He will bless us and our faith will be strengthened.

 

Are you stepping out by faith and obeying God's will for your life? He desires to bless us and strengthen our faith, but He can only do this as we obey Him. Commit to step out by faith and obey God today. Let Him bless you as you live for Him.

 

Daily Bible Reading

Job 30-31 • Acts 13:26-52  

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