How can we ensure our actions align with God's will, like Joshua's did? Setting the Scene Joshua 4:17 — “So Joshua commanded the priests, ‘Come up out of the Jordan.’” The Lord had just held back the Jordan’s waters so the nation could cross. Once everyone was safely over, God spoke, Joshua acted, and the priests stepped onto dry ground. A literal miracle met literal obedience. Joshua’s Pattern of Alignment • He listened: God spoke first (4:15). • He trusted: the command seemed simple but hinged on God’s unseen power. • He obeyed immediately and precisely (4:17). • The result: the water returned exactly as God promised (4:18). Foundational Principles for Our Walk • God’s Word is the ultimate, inerrant guide (2 Timothy 3:16). • Alignment begins with submission—His authority, not ours (James 4:7). • Obedience is love expressed in action (John 14:21). • Trust replaces self-reliance (Proverbs 3:5-6). Practical Steps to Align Our Actions 1. Saturate life with Scripture – Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” – Daily reading, memorizing, and meditating keeps God’s directives clear. 2. Cultivate a responsive heart – Hebrews 3:15 warns against a hardened heart; quick obedience keeps it soft. 3. Seek the Spirit’s guidance moment by moment – Galatians 5:25 “Since we live by the Spirit, let us walk in step with the Spirit.” 4. Test every plan against revealed truth – Acts 17:11: the Bereans examined Scripture daily. If Scripture forbids or contradicts, drop the plan. 5. Renew the mind continually – Romans 12:2: transformation comes as the mind is renewed, shaping actions to fit God’s will. 6. Act promptly, leaving results to Him – Like Joshua, obey first; God handles the outcome (1 Samuel 15:22). Encouraging Reminders from Scripture • God delights to guide: Psalm 32:8. • He equips what He commands: Hebrews 13:20-21. • Blessing follows obedience: Deuteronomy 28:1-2. Living It Out Today • Begin each day with open Bible and yielded heart. • Throughout the day, pause to align words, choices, and attitudes with what you’ve read. • End the day recounting instances of obedience and God’s faithfulness—your own “stones of remembrance” like Israel’s memorial (Joshua 4:21-24). As Joshua modeled, hearing God, trusting God, and doing exactly what He says keeps our steps in perfect sync with His will. |
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