Yes, God Does Have a Plan for You
Insights from Joshua 12
This is one of those chapters in the Bible that you could easily skim over as you read. There are lots of place names and names of kings that mean very little to most of us. But they were important to God, and they would be important to the Israelites.
I could have dived into research, as to how what they have right now is not what God had predestined for them to have. But I did not. Instead, as I read, I did look up the places so that I could be better connected to what the word was saying. What it did do was give me a sense of the magnitude of the plan of God for His people.
What struck me from this passage is that God has a plan; it is a specific plan. It is not just specific to the Israelites as a nation but specific to each tribe, mentioning each tribe by name and often even the children of the chief of the tribe.
God’s plans had specific measurements, specific boundaries; it was tailored to the specific needs of the people. No one was left out. The Levites at this point do not have actual land because they receive all of the food offerings of the Lord. And if you have read the earlier books of the Bible, you saw that is a lot!! However, in time they would also have cities of refuge.
God knows what we need ahead of time, and He already has a plan. A specific plan! Did that mean that the Israelites would never have to fight again? No, in fact, they are still fighting for their land today in places. They would have to fight to maintain that land. Even though it was destined for them, chosen and given to them, they would have to maintain it.
Hmmm, that speaks to me of our errant mentality as children of God that we should never have to battle or struggle again. Um, that is not what I see plotted out in the word.
I am sure there were times of anxiety and fear for the Israelites, but once they began to realize who God was and that He was almighty and powerful and that He was for them, there was more of a sense of peace available for them.
He told them not to fear; He was with them, and He would not forsake them; He would be with them wherever they go. They had to learn to trust and obey. The same is still true today.
Some of our children’s songs are way more powerful and truth-packed than we realize.
“Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus but to trust and obey.” (“Trust and Obey,” by John H. Sammis)
The more I read His word, the more I feel like I am getting to know this wonderful God who wants to call me His own. That does not mean I do not have anxiety or concerns! I do, however, know that He is able, and He has promised; it is mine but to trust and obey. Rest in what He says, avail myself of the peace and joy that He has promised me.
It would have been so foolish for the Israelites to know that God had promised them the land, helped them conquer the land, and then sit outside its borders and whine.
Yet, in some ways, that is what we do. We have this wonderful gift wrapped up sitting before us and we even know what it is, how wonderful it will be, yet we leave it sitting on the desk and we wring out hands and scratch our heads.
My prayer for us all today is that we would embrace the wonderful things that He has promised us! Help us, Father, to stand in the place of peace that you have given to us. Let the joy of the Lord energize us to face the things that we need to face and the wisdom of the God of the ages to help us deal with life’s curves and slopes.
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