confident faith

And they said to Joshua, “Truly the Lord has given all the land into our hands. And also, all the inhabitants of the land melt away because of us.”

Joshua 2:24

It took an entire generation wandering in the wilderness in complete dependence upon God for their survival, but now, as this passage shows us, Israel under Joshua’s leadership is ready to possess the Promised Land. The spies Joshua sent out to scout out Jericho returned with an optimistic courage to begin the conquest. And they trust first what God is doing. The LORD has given them all the land. Their assessment drips with courageous faith first and foremost.

This generation that had trusted God for water and manna in the desert was more than ready to trust God to give them the land He promised. They were strong and courageous, led by a leader who was the same. They trusted God, trusted His plan, trusted His leader and trusted His word. And it would make their hope a reality. God would give them Canaan as they fought off what kept them from God’s promise.

It takes strength and courage to believe God. It takes strength and courage to march confidently into unknown territory. But God’s promise will carry the faithful through. And this is still true.

The gospel goes against every cultural grain today. It is exclusive. It names sin as an offense against a holy God. It dares to say we are imperiled by hell. It declares our only hope in Jesus and severe consequences for refusing to believe in Him. It takes strength and courage to believe and to declare it. But Jesus does the saving. He knows who are His. People do still choose Him and find life if we will faithfully, confidently, courageously proclaim Him!