Dwell and Cultivate Faithfulness

[S] Joshua 2:24; Psalm 37:3-5 --
²⁴They said to Joshua, "Surely the LORD has given all the land into our hands; moreover, all the inhabitants of the land have melted away before us.
³Trust in the LORD and do good;
Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.
⁴Delight yourself in the LORD;
And He will give you the desires of your heart.
⁵Commit your way to the LORD,
Trust also in Him, and He will do it.

[O] The message of going into Canaan and conquer that land continues as Joshua now assumes the commander in chief position after Moses passed away. The two spies he sent into Canaan (Jericho) returned with a convicted message of "Surely the LORD has given all the land into our hands." The Jericho fortress may seemed mighty but the hearts of the people living in it have already melted without any hope. As I think about that scene I'm almost thinking the walls of Jericho falling down after the Israelites circled for seven days may even symbolically display the hearts of the Canaanites living in there. I find myself doing the same thing -- the condition of my heart really displays through whatever I try to cover up on the outside. The melted hearts of the people were like the crumbling down walls of Jericho. So, the Israelites gained full confidence as they crossed the Jordan River to conquer Jericho.

Towards the end of Moses' life, the Israelites the new generation have learned to trust in God to obey and move forward into Canaan. Psalm 37:3 echoes the same sequence of Israelites: 1) Trust in the LORD; 2) Do good; 3) Dwell in the land; 4) Cultivate faithfulness; 5) Delight in the LORD; 6) He will give desires of the heart. The part that grabbed me was "dwell in in the land and cultivate faithfulness" because it seems like I'm at a crossroads about to enter and dwell in the land God has promised me; and then what comes after that is cultivating faithfulness of me and my family. Oh how I desire to do that!

[A] Today, Psalm 37:4 is seen with the backdrop of conquering Canaan and that's where I seem to be at also, just on this side of Jordan about to encounter it split up for me to enter that land. It is during the rainy season flooding the Jordan with rough currents. My mind is rushing through to find a way to cross at least a million people not to mention the mighty fortress of Jericho. Yes, the two spies reported a very positive outlook but what's seen ahead sure looks difficult if not too risky to fail. That is what my mind processes these days as I look beyond where our small group ministry is at. I want to apply Psalm 37:4 in light of my current situation. I want to delight in You God so You will mysteriously and miraculously provide the desires of my heart. Come Lord, Jesus, send Your Spirit to guide us and to fight ahead of us.

[P] Dear God, I delight in Your wonderful power and strength. I trust in Your leadership of my life, my family's lives, the small group ministry You put me in charge of. I give You all the glory and may what I do reflect Your wondrous beauty. In Jesus' name. Amen.