Promises First

I started reading Joshua today, having just finished Deuteronomy. I'm taking it slow. In the first chapter of Joshua the Lord speaks to Joshua and is passing the baton of leadership onto Joshua as Moses has died. He tells him that he should lead the people to cross the Jordan and possess the land the Lord has given them.

The Lord gives the People these promises:
- I will be with you
- I will not fail you
- I will not forsake you

And then he tells them their response:
- Be strong and courageous
- Be careful to do according to the Law
- Don't let the law depart from your mouth
- Do not tremble
- Do not be dismayed

Get this: The promise comes before the response. What I don't see is something we must do in order to receive a blessing.

This is significant because as we walk in life we are often trained by the notion that if you want something then you need to first do something good.

As students in school we are given good grades after doing good work. As employees, we receive our pay after we have performed our jobs. In sports, the trophies are given to those who perform at the highest level. So life is training us to first perform and then you will see your reward.

But, not so with God. He gives a reward first and then in response to His gift we obey Him. The command is for protection and not a condition for a prize.

So, how does a person access this reward? Ephesians 2:8-9 says, "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God; not a result of works, so that no one may boast."

To get the gift, we must receive it. We must renounce the way we have been taught by the world. Instead of doing good things and making sure our good outweighs our bad in order to get a reward, we must instead say, "not my will, not my way, but your way O God. I will trust you."