Israel has stepped foot in the Promised Land! They crossed the Jordan River! They are filled with hope, expectation, and courage! God is with them, and Jericho is their next target! So what’s the strategy?
Our reading today shows that strategy has nothing to do with war games, military drills, or sword sharpening. God tells Joshua to circumcise Israel and celebrate the Passover! This is different! The strategy begins with the heart, not hardware, God, not their elite guard.
After all the males had been circumcised, they rested in the camp until they were healed. Then the Lord said to Joshua, “Today I have rolled away the shame of your slavery in Egypt.” So that place has been called Gilgal to this day. While the Israelites were camped at Gilgal on the plains of Jericho, they celebrated Passover on the evening of the fourteenth day of the first month. The very next day they began to eat unleavened bread and roasted grain harvested from the land. (Joshua 5:8–11, NLT)
God renews the hearts of His people by “rolling away” the shame of their past—their slavery in Egypt. He then strengthens their hearts by reinforcing their faith through celebrating the Passover. Forget the shame, it’s time to rejoice in their deliverance! The very next day, they began to eat from the bounty of their new land, and the manna ceased from that point on. Talk about a new chapter! Strategy? The strategy for the victory ahead was the preparation of the heart.
Believer, what is the strategy for successful, joyful, Christian living? The root of our strategy begins with the heart! It starts with remembering that God rolled away our shame and failure from the past. Who we once were is not who we are today! Also, let our hearts be filled with remembering what God has done for us!
Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other. But—When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. Because of his grace he made us right in his sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life. (Titus 3:3–7, NLT)
Wow! As believers, we are so blessed! God is so good! The walls of Jericho don’t stand a chance! And this new bread that we enjoy, as Israel enjoyed from their new land, satisfies! This is the strategy! Rejoice, this is our new reality!
Thank you for joining with me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from Joshua 5:1-8:35.