In what ways can we renew our commitment to God like in Joshua 5:7? Remember the Scene in Joshua 5:7 “Joshua raised up their sons in their place, and these were the ones whom he circumcised. They were still uncircumcised because they had not been circumcised on the way.” A new generation stood on covenant ground, but they first had to own that covenant personally—before one sword was lifted against Jericho. Covenant Before Conquest: The Timeless Principle • God insists on relationship before assignment. • Obedience to His revealed sign (circumcision then, heart-circumcision now) precedes victory. • Renewal is not optional maintenance; it is essential preparation. Ways We Can Renew Our Commitment Today • Submit to the New-Covenant sign – Embrace baptism as the public testimony of inward faith (Colossians 2:11-12). – Let every baptism service remind you that you have “put off” the old life for good. • Pursue heart-circumcision daily – “Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, remove the foreskins of your hearts” (Jeremiah 4:4). – Invite the Spirit to cut away attitudes, habits, and loyalties that do not belong to a redeemed life (Romans 2:29). • Pause for spiritual healing – Israel remained in camp “until they were healed” (Joshua 5:8). – Build rhythms of rest and reflection so God can mend what obedience exposes. • Celebrate the covenant meal often – Israel kept the Passover right after circumcision (Joshua 5:10-11). – Approach the Lord’s Table with self-examination and gratitude (1 Corinthians 11:28). • Rehearse God’s past deliverances – Their wilderness story reminded them of God’s unfailing care. – Keep a written record of answered prayers and share those stories in your home or small group. • Remove lingering reproach – The Lord said, “Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you” (Joshua 5:9). – Confess any compromise, close the door on past bondage, and receive Christ’s full cleansing (1 John 1:9). • Step forward in fresh obedience – Renewal is validated by action. After healing, Israel marched toward Jericho. – Identify one concrete step—reconcile a relationship, obey a prompting, serve in a new capacity—and act on it this week. Press On with Covenant Confidence “Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, I press on toward the goal” (Philippians 3:13-14). Renewal positions us to move from wilderness survival to promised-land conquest—just as it did for the sons raised up in Joshua’s day. |
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