Are YOU Ready?

Joshua was given a big job! He had to stand in the shoes of Moses as leader of the people and take them forward into the land that God had promised them so long ago. The time had now come to step forward in faith, notwithstanding his own misgivings. God had spoken and told him, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9). He was ready – even if apprehensive and nervous.

This message now had to be relayed to the people so that that they could get ready to move. The officers went through the camp telling them to be ready, for in three days time they were going to cross the River Jordan and enter the land that God was giving them as their own. There must have been a huge sense of anticipation, excitement and, yes, fear, as they wondered what would happen next, when God’s forty year old promises began to be fulfilled.

But God wasn’t going to do it for them. They had to put their own feet down on the ground, one step at a time, and move! God didn’t send a chariot of fire to lift them off the ground and drop them by angelic parachute into the land of promise! They had to move their own feet forward in faith before God would do the miraculous on their behalf. When they came to the river it was only as the priests put their feet in the waters of the river, which was in flood, that God worked the miracle. God didn’t stop the river’s flow and then say “It’s now OK to go.” He required the people to move forward in faith, and as they did so they realised that God was clearing the way for them.

I have met a number of people over the years whom God had called to serve Him. But they were waiting for God to do the miraculous and lift them supernaturally out of their present situation and land them in the place of promise. But sadly, many years later they were still waiting for their miracle – and it never came. When God shows us His plan for our lives he expects us to get ready and start moving forward in faith, preparing ourselves for whatever He has asked us to do. God can then direct our steps as we go. Just as a car has to be moving before the steering wheel can be turned, we have to start moving forward in faith, so that God can then direct our steps.

So, on this first day of a New Year, may I encourage you to look at the land of your life that lies before you and get yourself ready to start moving! Just as Joshua gave the people three days to prepare themselves, why not spend the first three days of 2015 reviewing all that God has already spoken into your life and look to Him for His leading for the days ahead as you step into His plans and purposes? May you know the Lord’s richest blessing throughout the New Year.

Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for Your hand on my life at this present time. Help me to step forward in faith into all that you have planned for me in the year ahead. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.