Cross Over
by Michael Tang
Joshua was tasked with the responsibility, after the death of Moses, to lead the Israelites to the promised land. Joshua was careful to follow, because he’d personally witnessed how God had dealt with the generations that rebelled and disobeyed Him. So, Joshua was careful to obey every instruction and direction of the LORD Almighty.
The generation before had perished because of rebellion and sin. God wanted to deliver His promise to the children of Israel. The act of crossing the Jordan is significant. It’s an act of leaving the old behind and moving towards the new that God had planned for them. Crossing the Jordan means that they can begin to experience and receive the new life and promise of God.
In our lives, God sometimes want us to listen and obey His leading and direction. We need to listen and obey. We need to move and take a new path that God had planned for us. Sometimes, we miss God’s blessing because we’re so comfortable with where we are.
Many of us are reluctant to take a new path because of uncertainty. So, we cling on to the old for security and because of familiarity. Some of us refuse to kick off old habits, mind-sets, problems and burdens. These mind-sets cause us to miss the very purpose that God has for our lives. We need to listen to God. God wants us to put our trust and faith in Him as we enter a new season or direction.
We need to follow God as Joshua did. God has a special purpose for each one of us. God wants us to obey and to put our trust and faith in Him. As we do that, we’ll enjoy God’s favour, and He’ll be with us. As Joshua obeyed, He told Joshua, ‘today I will exalt you in the eyes of all Israel, so they may know that I am with you as I was with Moses’.
Prayer: Lord, we know that You desire us to put our trust and faith in You. We don’t know what the future holds, but, Lord, we know You hold the future. We ask that You help us lay aside everything that’s temporary and things that aren’t of You, and to put our faith and trust in things that are eternal and in You totally. We know that our human nature will find it difficult, but Your word says that, ‘I can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens me’. So, Lord, as I surrender my dreams and desires to You, I pray that Your strength and wisdom will come to me and Your will will be done in my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Michael Tang Michael and Linda Tang are Co-Centre Directors of Ellel Ministries Malaysia. Michael and Linda have two children, Tiffany and Leon. Michael is involved in teaching and prayer ministry at the Centre. Michael attends Glad Tidings Assembly of God, Petaling Jaya and is the Missions Director of the church. In addition to his work with Ellel Ministries, his primary focus is on Church Planting and Discipling Church Leaders in Southern India.
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