Massive change is coming – have faith in God

Every day we’re asking four questions about part of the Bible. Today Bern Leckie answers:

What did I like about today’s passage?

While there is an emotional rollercoaster ride ahead, I love the clarity of where we start with Joshua. He is a God-fearing leader, a lot like Moses, looking to see God’s promised kingdom come into being with authority, displacing every authority that opposes God, a bit like Jesus. God acted to bring people close to him and away from evil and corruption. This may be a long time ago in a land far, far away, but these wars should mean a lot to us.

I’m struck by how clearly God is seen to act as his people and kingdom advance. Just like when Israel fled Egypt, God would have to be acknowledged in getting the nation across dry land where there should have been water. It was a sign for everyone, “so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful…,” and part of God preparing his people to have faith in him during dangerous encounters ahead.

I’m also loving the unlikely hero of Rahab, a Canaanite prostitute, Israel’s first non-Israelite ally, a model of faith in the New Testament, and did you spot her in Jesus’ family tree? (Matthew 1:5) Why is she so special? Despite her background, she believed in God and took risks to act on that belief so God’s kingdom would come, and his will would be done.

What did it show me about Father God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit?

God builds his kingdom by showing people what it means in practice to know, trust and follow him. He calls us out of old life into new. This means massive change. Inevitably, that means battles and difficulties, but God gives us support and every reason to believe in him.

What am I going to do differently as a result?

Is my faith strong enough to cope with massive change? Am I prepared for God’s kingdom to move me, physically or in the way I see the world, or for my city to be invaded and transformed by the Holy Spirit? Or am I just hoping for God to give me more of what I already like and find comfortable?

I feel I should reflect on this. What does God want to bring in, like more love shown in practical ways, or get rid of, like anything which is getting in the way between us and him? And am I ready to let go of my pre-judgements about who his kingdom is for and whose faith is going to get remembered and celebrated? I want to pray that I’ll meet people whose response to Jesus is surprising and based on what they see God do rather than what I say.

Who am I going to share this with?

I want to pray with more people about our community, especially our school, and see what God shows us about his coming kingdom there.