Get Ready to Step Out

Learning From Joshua to Walk by Faith

October 1, 2003 - During the time that I began holding "Just Give Me Jesus" arena revivals for women, I meditated on the Book of Joshua in my personal devotions. Morning after morning, God seemed to speak to me through Joshua's experiences and his testimony, instructing me in how to get ready for the challenge of holding the revivals.

by Anne Graham Lotz

As I share with you some of the principles God taught me, I wonder if you are also facing a challenge in service to Him. Maybe He has challenged you ... to walk across the street to share the Gospel with a neighbor ... to open up His Word for a Sunday school class ... to live out your faith in Christ at your workplace ... to give your child the freedom to go to the foreign mission field ... to plant a church or inner-city ministry ... to visit those in prison or in hospitals or rest homes.

I've learned that an incredibly rich dimension of knowing God is reserved for those who step out of their comfort zones and walk by faith. In what way has God challenged you to step out of your comfort zone?

BY OPENING YOUR EARS TO GOD'S WORD
Read Joshua 1:1-9
The Israelites had wandered for 40 years in the wilderness, going nowhere with God. Then God instructed them, under Joshua's leadership, to get ready to step out of where they had been and into all that He wanted to give them. The challenge God issued to the entire nation of Israel became very personal to Joshua. Since his youth, he had been Moses' personal aide. He knew that God had appointed him as Moses' successor. When Moses died, it was time for Joshua to step out of his comfort zone.

Open Your Ears Readily

Describe the possible impact of Moses' death on Joshua, emotionally, spiritually, practically and professionally.

How could this impact have affected Joshua's readiness to listen to the voice of God?

When your life is in turmoil, how ready are you to read your Bible and to listen to God?

Open Your Ears Respectfully

From Joshua's experience as a slave in Egypt and during the Exodus, what did he know about God? See Exodus 12:1-3, 12-13, and 29-31; Exodus 14:9-28, and Exodus 15:1-3.
Then see Exodus 17:8-16.
Next, read Exodus 19:18-19 and 24:13-18.
Now see Exodus 33:7.
Finally, see Numbers 27:18-23
What difference do you think Joshua's knowledge of God made in the way he listened to God?

What do you know about the Lord from your own experience and from Scripture? How does that knowledge affect the way you listen to Him?

Open Your Ears Receptively

What command is repeated three times in Joshua 1:6-9? Apply it to your life.

List the other commands given in verses 6-9. Give a personal application for each.

List the promises in verses 3-9. Which one is most meaningful to you?

Which promise would be most meaningful to someone getting ready to step out in faith?

BY OPENING YOUR LIFE TO GOD'S WILL
Read Joshua 1:10-18
It was God's will for Joshua that he step out in faith, leading His people out of where they were and into the place God wanted them to be.

From Joshua 1:10-15, give evidence of Joshua's obedience to God and his confidence in God.

How was Joshua encouraged in verses 16-18?

What phrase indicates that God was speaking through the people to reassure Joshua? See verses 16-18.

Whom has God used to reassure you as you step out of your comfort zone?

BY OPENING YOUR EYES TO GOD'S WORLD
Read Joshua 2 and 6.
As Joshua got ready to step out of where he was and into the place God wanted him to be, he kept his eyes open to the world around him.

Why do you think Joshua sent two spies to look over the land in Joshua 2:1?

Did the information they brought back help Joshua defeat Jericho? See Joshua 6:1-5.

What reason could God have had for sending spies to Jericho? Read Joshua 2:1-21.

What similarities can you find between the story of Rahab (Joshua 2:1-21 and 6:22-25) and the Samaritan woman (John 4:4-30)? What differences?

What does this knowledge teach you about God's love for the world as He leads you into new territory? About His love for individuals?

As you look at the world around you, what need has come to your attention? What opportunity has been presented to you for involvement?

Skim Joshua 3-6. Make a list of things that would not have taken place if Joshua had been unwilling to open his ears, his eyes and his life to God.

What was the result of Joshua's openness to God? What difference will your openness to God make—in your own life and in the world around you?

Will you get ready to step out of your comfort zone by opening yourself up to God? Someone's salvation may depend upon it.