Entering the land

“What’s it like entering a new country and culture. How do you prepare?” Her questions take me back to the early days. Of crossing borders and dwelling in the land. 

My reading the next day is Joshua 1-4. God’s people are leaving their wilderness wanderings and entering the promised land. 

The context and purpose differs, but in the preparation of God’s people, I find strategic practices.  For entering the land. 

Whether that land is across the river, across the street or across the ocean. 

Follow the Lord 

The officers go throughout the camp and tell the people to follow the ark of the Lord when it moves. “Don’t go near it so that you can see the way to go, for you haven’t traveled this way before” (Joshua 3:4).

Entering the land should be according to the Lord’s leading. He goes before us, preparing the way. 

We’ve not traveled this way before. But He has.

Without Him, we lose our way. Without Him, we can do nothing.

Consecrate yourself

Joshua tells the people, “Consecrate yourselves, because the Lord will do wonders among you tomorrow” (Joshua 3:5).  

As we go, we are to be consecrated to Him. Holy.

Confessing sin and repenting of unbelief removes the clutter that hinders us from hearing His voice and living in obedience.  Sets us free to whole-heartedly walk in His truth and His way. 

Along the path we need reminders. Again.

Peter writes to believers, “But as the One who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct; for it is written, Be holy, because I am holy” (1 Peter 1:15-16).

Consecration opens doors to fulfill His mission. And watch the wonders He performs.  

Come closer and listen

Joshua tells the people, “Come closer and listen to the words of the Lord your God” (Joshua 3:9).

The way we live and move and have our being is through abiding in the Vine. Abiding in Christ through prayer and the Word.  

Drawing near to Him, listening to His truth and walking in the Spirit are necessary daily as we enter the land. 

Be alert to the Word of the Lord.

Remember and recount

After they cross the Jordan, the people are instructed to set up stones as a memorial. Joshua tells them these are to be a sign among them. “In the future, when your children ask their fathers, ‘What is the meaning of these stones?’ you should tell your children, ‘Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground’…” (Joshua 4:19-23). 

We remember and recount our experiences as we continue entering the land. Then we tell future generations in our family and in the Family of God, “The Lord was with us. He made a way before us. We were following His plan.”

Joshua says, “This is so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the Lord’s hand is mighty and so that you may always fear the Lord your God” (Joshua 4:24).

Remembrance is vital in the Kingdom of God.

Be equipped for war

“The Reubenites, Gadites and half the tribe of Manasseh went in battle formation in front of the Israelites, as Moses had instructed them. About forty thousand equipped for war crossed to the plains of Jericho in the Lord’s presence” (Joshua 4:12-13).

The spiritual battle is real. And the enemy is ready to take us out. We need to be equipped to stand firm. 

“For this reason, take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand” (Ephesians 6:13). 

Paul lists the essentials of that armor. Truth. Righteousness. The gospel of peace. Faith. Salvation. And the sword of the Holy Spirit, the word of God.

At the end, he gives the finale.  

A call to “pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints” (6:18). 

He pleads, “Pray also for me, that the message may be given to me when I open my mouth to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel” (6:19). 

Equipping for the spiritual battle means praying and calling others to pray. 

With perseverance.  

The prayers of His people will sustain and strengthen us when fiery darts are flying. 

Be strong and courageous

Before he leads the people into the land, Joshua is reminded several times, “Be strong and courageous.” 

Moses says it (Deuteronomy 31:7). The Lord says it as He commissions Joshua (Deuteronomy 31:23) and three times after Moses’ death (Joshua 1:6,7,9). The people also repeat this to their new leader (Joshua 1:18).

Sometimes as we enter and dwell in the land, we feel anxious or overwhelmed by all that lies before us. We need reminders to be strong and courageous. From our leaders. And from those we lead. 

But above all, from the Lord.  

He is faithful to encourage us. Even as He came alongside Paul one night and said, “Have courage!” (Acts 23:11).

Be strong in the Lord. Have courage. And enter the land.

What about you?

What advice would you give someone about entering a new land? How has the Lord prepared and instructed you in this?

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