Today's Passage - Joshua 1:10-11

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Joshua 1:10-11       So Joshua ordered the officers of the people:  "Go through the camp and tell the people, 'Get your provisions ready. Three days from now you will cross the Jordan here to go in and take possession of the land the Lord your God is giving you for your own.'"   Joshua is a submissive man. After the Lord issued His command, verse 10 started with "So..." In other word, he didn't hesitate, nor did he analyze God's command, and he definitely didn't have any doubt; instead, he immediately obeyed. I believe that why Joshua was a successful man all his life. When God chooses a person for His purpose, He doesn't just use a talented or good-looking man. This certainly doesn't mean that God will only use incompetent people; in fact, the people that God used have great talents, such as Paul and Solomon. Nevertheless, the first and most important criterion for God to use someone is the person's submissiveness. The church in North America is facing a tremendous crisis in that we uplift knowledge and theology higher than the Lord Himself. Knowledge has made us conceited and proud; we have become accustomed to think in rational terms, we apply reason to judge God's work, and we even leave Him outside the church.   Today, the church doesn't need more Masters and PhDs, but people like Joshua who simply depended on God. He not only depended on God, he also taught the Israelites to do the same. When we study the Book of Joshua, we sometimes overlook the fact that the Israelites at the time of Joshua were as obedient as they ever were. Joshua told them to prepare food, and they did; there were told to cross the river and they did, they were told to circle around the city and they did, and there was no voice of complaints or opposition. Compared to those in any other period of time, the Israelites at Joshua's time were the most obedient.   Not only was Joshua an obedient leader, he was also a great teacher. He not only sought God's will, but he also clearly taught the people what to do. People were able to obey calmly because they trusted their leader. Only a leader who trusts and obeys can lead a group of believers who trust and obey. Whether you are a cell group coworker, church elder or a coworker in a department, if you'd like to lead obedient coworkers, you must first be obedient yourself. There's no shortcut in a spiritual path; when you offer yourself in obedience, you will experience God's blessing!   Pray with Pastor Tong     Lord, please let us become your obedient vessels. Let us not just seek appearance, fame or knowledge, but to simply listen and obey your voice, follow your path and become faithful servant. I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!