How to prepare for your Future

 Read Joshua 5. 

What happened at the Jordan River and the crossing of the nation of Israel had spread throughout Canaan.  The result was a complete loss of courage to war against these people of the Living God.  To a military mindset, this would have triggered an immediate urge to attack and begin subduing all the major cities and kingdoms of the land.  Not so with God’s plans. 

Conquering the land would not be a physical fight only.  When moving forward on God's plans the most important preparation is spiritual readiness.  This generation was not ready to take on what the LORD had promised to give them.  First, they had to prepare themselves. 

1. Personal Commitment.

Circumcision was an outward sign of the covenant God made with Abraham and his descendants.  This began in Genesis 17.  It was a statement of belonging to the LORD from generation to generation.  All males were circumcised prior to leaving Egypt in preparation for the Exodus.  However, that was 40 years ago.  Because of the constant and unpredictable movement through the wilderness wanderings, no one born along the journey had been circumcised.  Evidently, they could not allow for the necessary time of healing. 

The Prophet Jeremiah clarified that this outward sign was to represent the commitment of the heart to the LORD.  "Circumcise yourselves to the LORD; remove the foreskin of your hearts, O men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem..." (Jeremiah 4:4)  The Apostle Paul goes further and states that what really counts is obedience to God.  "For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God." (1 Corinthians 7:19) 

2. Corporate Worship.

God's timing is perfect.  The date of this preparation was the exact time for celebrating the Passover.  They were to stop and remember their redemption from slavery.  It took the shedding of blood and the personal application of a substitute sacrifice for God to passover them in judgment.  Dr. Donald Campbell wrote, "Remembering the past was an excellent preparation for the tests of the future." 

"For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.  Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth." (1 Corinthians 5:7-8) 

3. Private Worship.

The commander of the LORD's army appeared to Joshua in private.  Here is another example of a preincarnate appearance of Jesus.  This is not an angel.  Angels are forbidden in scripture to receive worship.  Once Joshua realized who was standing in front of him, he fell on his face.  He was on holy ground because God Himself was there.  

We are not told what the message to Joshua was, if any.  It may have been simply the reassurance to this leader of God's presence and power as he faced the future.  

Jesus taught, "Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we wear?'  For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.  But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6:31-33)