How can we apply Joshua's obedience in Joshua 10:15 to our lives today? “Then Joshua returned with all Israel to the camp at Gilgal.” The scene: After a miraculous victory—hailstones from heaven, the sun standing still—Joshua does the seemingly ordinary thing God had told him to do: go back to Gilgal. Obedience isn’t only about battlefield heroics; it is equally about everyday faithfulness. Why Gilgal Matters • Gilgal was Israel’s covenant base (Joshua 5:2-9). • It housed memorial stones from the Jordan crossing (Joshua 4:19-24). • It was the place where Israel renewed commitment before marching out again. By returning there, Joshua anchored every triumph to God’s past faithfulness and ongoing commands. Lessons for Today • Stay tethered to your spiritual base ‑ After any “victory,” run back to Scripture, prayer, and fellowship. ‑ John 15:4 reminds us, “Remain in Me, and I will remain in you.” ‑ Neglecting this return breeds self-reliance. • Obedience includes the ordinary ‑ Winning wars is dramatic; walking back to camp is routine. Both matter. ‑ 1 Samuel 15:22: “To obey is better than sacrifice.” ‑ Faithfulness in quiet duties—paying bills honestly, keeping promises, showing up to serve—mirrors Joshua’s march back to Gilgal. • Lead others in obedience ‑ “Joshua returned with all Israel.” Our personal choices influence family, friends, church. ‑ 1 Corinthians 11:1: “Imitate me, as I imitate Christ.” • Rest under God’s orders, not your own agenda ‑ Gilgal offered physical rest and spiritual recalibration. ‑ Mark 6:31 shows Jesus inviting His disciples to a similar pause. ‑ Rest becomes obedience when it is God-directed, guarding us from burnout. • Keep covenant awareness front and center ‑ The stones at Gilgal shouted, “God kept His word!” ‑ Hebrews 10:23 urges, “Let us hold resolutely to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.” ‑ Remembering His past faithfulness fuels present obedience. Practical Steps This Week 1. Begin and end each day with a brief “return to Gilgal”: Scripture reading and thanksgiving. 2. Tie every success—big or small—to God’s grace by verbal acknowledgment. 3. Invite your household or a friend to join you in one act of simple obedience (serving, giving, forgiving). 4. Schedule intentional rest, trusting that stepping back is as obedient as stepping forward. 5. Place a tangible reminder (a stone, a note card) where you’ll see it, prompting you to recall God’s past deliverances. Summing Up Joshua’s obedience in returning to Gilgal teaches that true victory isn’t sealed on the battlefield but in consistent, humble submission to God’s everyday instructions. Walk back to your “Gilgal” often, and you’ll find strength, perspective, and readiness for whatever battle comes next. |
    |