From Manna to Corn Joshua 1 - 24

If I had known Joshua in person, I think that I would have thought he was one of the most amazing men ever. He knew... that he knew... that he knew... that God had promised the land of Canaan to the children of Israel. He didn't know how it was going to happen, but that was irrelevant to Joshua. God said this land is yours and he said, "Let's go!" "But there are giants in the land," they said. "No problem! God will have a solution for that," was his response. Repeatedly we see God telling him, "Fear not." Anyone could have been intimidated by the task that Joshua was given, but Joshua didn't focus on any fears that may have entered his mind. He did not focus on the fact that he didn't have a 1,000-page battle strategy for conquering dozens for enemy nations. He focused on the ONE THING that mattered... our Lord and Savior.

As the children of Israel left Egypt, they had a rocky transition from slavery in a pagan land into a God-fearing nation of warriors. However, at the point that they were ready to cross over into the Promised Land they had their act together. Chapter 5 describes a critical moment in their story signaling that everything had changed.

For the children of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness, till all the people that were men of war, which came out of Egypt, were consumed, because they obeyed not the voice of the Lord: (v 6a)

And their children, whom he raised up in their stead, them Joshua circumcised: (v7a)

And the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal, and kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the month at even in the plains of Jericho. And they did eat of the old corn of the land on the morrow after the Passover, unleavened cakes, and parched corn in the selfsame day. And the manna ceased on the morrow after they had eaten of the old corn of the land. neither had the children of Israel manna anymore; but they did eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year. (v10-11)

The generation that was called out of Egypt was "consumed" and perished. The new generation joined into covenant with the Lord and their circumcision was a token of the covenant. After they recovered, they partook in Passover, as commanded by the Lord. Then, the miracle that they had experienced everyday of their lives ceased. They no longer needed God to feed them every day with manna from Heaven; they were living in the promise of a land filled with milk and honey!

But just because they were living in the promise does not mean that they were able to kick their feet up and relax. On the contrary, there was much work to be done: giants to be slain and land to be settled. Joshua led boldly having his faith grounded in the Lord. He rejected thoughts of fear and doubt. His thoughts must have been obedient to all of God's Word, because his actions demonstrated courage and dedication to doing what he had been commissioned to do.

It provokes me to think about our lives as Christians. Once we are saved, our spiritual sinful nature ceases. As babes in Christ, most people experience a special time with God when He cares for you as a newborn. Early after salvation, it seems like there's always a scripture to speak to you, a song to encourage you, a sermon to help you understand the Word more. Then, somewhere along the way God expects us to grow up and start feeding ourselves. He expects us to put in effort to seek Him, to walk obediently, and to pick ourselves up when we fall and get back on the right path. At times we can lose sight of the fact that we are living in the promise, due to the daily battles we face. It is our thoughts and actions in those moments that define our future.

What was it that gave Joshua the tenacity to hold onto the Lord despite the weariness of continual wars, the giants, and the backlash from other people? Maybe it was just that he was awesome, but... God was so good to Joshua to lavish him with reassurance and promises of His presence.

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee withersoever thou goest. Joshua 1:8-9

However, these strong words from the Lord could have all been in vain if Joshua had not continually applied them to his heart and acted accordingly. My friends, our road gets dark and weary at times. What will we focus on: the uncertainty, the disease, the lack of funds, the broken relationship? Or will we focus on God's commands, His promises, and His instructions? No doubt, focusing on God's Word takes discipline that one must work to achieve. However, if we are to grow up (spiritually) whenever God takes us off the manna, we have to have a resolve to conquer our thoughts and fears by applying the Word of God to our lives.

I came across a quote that I find apropos for us today: "Where your thoughts are today is where you'll be tomorrow." - unknown If we allow our mind to settle on the unknown things of life, we are destined to be consumed by evil thoughts. If we set our minds on God and His Word, we can have the courage and strength to plow through whatever field the Lord puts us in.

May each of us have the discipline to set our mind and affections on things above, and not on things of the earth as Paul teaches us to do in Colossians.