A Journey of Faith – Shoes – Journey Deeper
As I mentioned in my last post, over the next few weeks I would like to share with you some texts from the book of Joshua that have helped me move forward in faith.
In my eyes, Joshua and the Israelites took incredible steps of faith as they left the wilderness and entered the land of Canaan. In doing so, they were able to witness the powerful promises of God unfold in their lives.
How did it happen?
God gave them new shoes. The children of Israel had been wearing slaves shoes for 400 years in Egypt. Their identity was that of a beat up slave, suffering under a wicked, psycho Pharaoh. But in the midst of their bondage God sent a deliverer named Moses who led them out of their misery into a new relationship with God, their Father.
The shoes that God gave them can be described in Exodus 19:4-6: “You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all the nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nations.”
Notice the statement, “you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” In essence what this says is you have new shoes. If you, like Israel, receive the Father’s love through Jesus (who took your place on the cross, defeated Satan and your sin, and was raised to be King of the world), you wear gospel shoes (Eph. 6:15).
As I mentioned before, I have put on my new shoes. I’ve laced them up, I’m on the floor, and my heart is beating really fast with a nervous energy!
What about you? If you have been given these gospel shoes, where is your Father calling you today to walk in faith? Israel remained stuck in the scorching wilderness for 40 years because they were unwilling to follow their Father. Are you stuck in a dry desert because of fear to follow? If so, confess the fear and ask God for faith to step out and follow Him today.
Questions for Your Journey:
Based upon Exodus 19:4-6, why did the Father bring the Israelites out of Egypt? More importantly to us, why did the Father send Jesus to Earth?
According to the text above, how are we to respond to such unconditional love?
When you say yes to this unearned love and “obey,” which also means to follow His voice, what is the result?
Hmmmm, interesting perspective. Since as far back as I can remember, I’ve wanted to be “on the mission field”, sharing the wonderful love of Jesus with those who don’t know Him. Often, when I hear someone speak who has lived overseas, my heart has longed to join them in their work. I now teach in a public school. The other day a student told me of her grandfather’s death (the same day I lost my dad 6 years ago and of the same disease). After I shared with her that my dad was happy in heaven with Jesus, she and her friend shared how they believe his spirit will come back in the body of someone else. Her friend shared that her family knew her grandmother’s spirit was just reborn in her new baby cousin. Many of our students are of this faith and background. The Word says, “The nations will listen to you”, yes, right here in my little corner, I will plant the seeds in these lives of a Savior who loves them and gave his life to set them free.
Thank you for the affirmation and inspiration, Pastor Tim!
God has placed you at the right corner in His perfect time for you to shine His love.
Thanks for sharing this Val,
Blessings