Walking in Obedience!
- Caroline Dodd
- 1 hour ago
- 7 min read
What do you do when God asks you to do something that is frightening? What is your reaction when you feel the prompting of the Lord to do something well out of your comfort zone? How do you respond? With hearty obedience or with your eyes closed, just hoping for the best? The Old Testament Book of Joshua has an encouraging word for the person with a calling from the Lord. Pastor Grant has been introducing us to the book of Joshua in recent sermons and will be returning to the book in the summer months. Let’s turn there to see what the Lord has to tell us about saying “yes” to God. The truth is, when God calls you to do something, whether audibly or with a small quiet nudge, you have the choice: do I obey or do I ignore? You can say “yes” to God’s plan, or you can say “no”. You can
choose to serve God and be obedient when He calls, or not. Joshua gives the nation of Israel an ultimatum at the end of the book, making a strong declaration as he makes a choice for his family:
Joshua 24:15
If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
Joshua made a choice. He would serve the Lord. He would obey. After giving the ultimatum, the people of Israel followed Joshua and said in 24:24, “We will serve the Lord our God and we will obey His voice.” In their minds, they made a choice, a conscious choice, to follow after the Lord. History tells us that their hearts were led astray but in that moment, they were resolute in their choice of action, much like Joshua was.
It’s a choice. We can obey. Or we can ignore. What will you do?
In 2023, the Lord called me to become the director of a local ministry called Royal Family KIDS. This ministry hosts summer camps for foster children who are abused, neglected, trafficked, or abandoned.
While I had been a staff member with RFK for over a decade, I certainly had no experience leading a summer camp or even knew what all the job would entail. Additionally, I was stepping into a role where the previous leaders had led well for 13 years. Could I carry on their legacy? Would I be sufficient? I had a choice. I could step into the wide unknown, or I could ignore the calling.
The truth is, I wanted to ignore the calling. Why do people often feel this way? For me, it was primarily fear: fear of the unknown, fear of inadequacy, fear of letting people down, fear of being in over my head, fear of hurting my family by giving of so much time, fear of failure, fear of mismanaging the entire enterprise. The fear almost toppled me. I almost didn’t say “yes” to the Lord.
Have you felt this way before? Is the Lord calling you to do something that you think you could never do, or should never do? I know the feeling.
Let’s go back to the book of Joshua. At the beginning of the book, Joshua has just taken over after Moses, a revered and beloved leader of Israel. God is giving Joshua a pep talk. And this is what He says:
Joshua 1: 5-9
Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous, for you shall give this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to the law which Moses my servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go… Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Joshua must have been questioning whether he was adequate enough, whether he was as good as Moses. He must have been expressing his fear. In just four verses, God tells Joshua three times to be strong and courageous; He reassures Joshua that He will be with him and He will do the work. He will bring him success with His Almighty hand. What unfolds after Joshua obediently steps forward into his calling?
In Chapter 2, God miraculously protects the spies through the provision and protection of Rahab. Joshua 2:24 says, “Surely the Lord has given all the land into our hands; moreover, all the inhabitants of the land have melted away before us.” God protected and God secured the victory. Jehovah Jireh, the Lord provides.
In Chapter 3, the entire nation of Israel crosses the Jordan on dry land! Joshua 3:23-24 says, “ For the Lord your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you had crossed,… that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the Lord is mighty; so that you may fear the Lord your God forever.” God performed the miracle and He led the way into the Promised Land, in awe-inspiring fashion. El Shaddai, the Lord God Almighty.
In Chapter 6, Israel wins the battle of Jericho with God declaring in 6:2, “See, I have given Jericho into your hand, with its king and the valiant warriors.” God fought the battle, and won. Jehovah Shammah, the Lord is there.
In Chapter 8, Israel wins the battle against Ai through the most ingenious ambush battle array. God declared in 8:1. “see, I have given into your hand the king of Ai, his people, his city, and his land.” God led the army and was victorious. Jehovah Nissi, The Lord is our banner.
In Chapter 10, we see God’s mighty victory through Joshua against the 5 Amorite kings as He rains stones from the heavens and makes the sun stand still: “There was no day like that before it or after it, … for the Lord fought for Israel.” 10:14 God wields all of nature and He is in control. Elohim. He is our Creator God.
In Chapter 12 verses 7-24 we see a long list of the kings and peoples that Joshua defeated through the power of the Lord. Jehovah Sabaoth, the Lord of Hosts.
God proved himself over and over again to Joshua. He asks for our obedience and our allegiance, our “yes” to his plan, because He is going to do the work for us! He has the ultimate plan. He is victorious; He is in charge. Just like He told Joshua before his first act as leader, He would be with him wherever he goes. When God calls us, He does not leave us to figure it out on our own. He’s there. He’s Almighty, He’s God… and He’s on our side.
So I said “yes” to Royal Family KIDS camp. I am trusting that the Lord will bring success for His glory. Most days I still think about how in the world I’m going to finance the camp. But I said “yes” and the Lord is with me. Most days I still think about how I’m going to find enough volunteer staff members to host camp. But I said “yes” and the Lord is with me. Most days I still think about how I’m going to find time to plan all that goes into camp. But I said “yes” and the Lord is with me. Leading this specialized camp is honestly too large a job for any volunteer human, which is why I think it’s so glorious. The Lord gets to show up and do the work, getting all the glory and honor for the results. He is going before, opening hearts, and paving the way.
Unfortunately, God does not tell Joshua it will be easy, nor that it will be comfortable. He never says that Joshua will one day figure it all out if he tries hard enough. No. He says to obey and be courageous.
What has the Lord called you to do? Are you willing to make the choice to say “yes”? I pray you do and that you find rest in knowing that the God who called you is the God who goes before you. Allow Him to do the fighting and sit back and find in the joy in watching the miraculous hand of God at work.
Prayer Points:
~ Thank you, Lord for your strength and might. Allow us to find rest in knowing that nothing is impossible with You!
~ Help us be strong and courageous when faced with our choice of obedience.
~ Give us hearts of joy as we choose to obey.
~ Help us overcome the fears that hold us back from complete obedience.
Heavenly Father, What a mighty God we serve! Truly you are the omnipotent Father and nothing is impossible for You. As the days go by, may it be that we strengthen our trust in You, so that we quickly and joyfully respond with YES to each and every one of your calls. Let us set aside our fears, putting our whole faith in the God who never leaves, the God who fights before us, and the God whose plan is higher and greater than anything we could conjure up on our own. May it ever be that we make the choice to respond with a resounding “yes” to the calling You give us. We long to be strong and courageous in light
of that calling. We rejoice in Your strength, Your wisdom, and Your guidance as we walk in obedience with You. In the precious name of our Almighty Father, Amen.
Meagan Seymour
Flourish Women's Ministry
Mid-Way Baptist Church