When the children of Israel finally came to the end of their wilderness wanderings and crossed the Jordan River into the promised land, it marked the end of the first charge that Joshua had from God. Moses had led the children of Israel on the remarkable odyssey out of the long and bitter bondage of Egypt, but it was Joshua whom God used to lead His people into the promised land.

Joshua was no stranger to the promises of God, nor was he a stranger to acting in faith. Forty years before, when Moses sent twelve men in to spy out the land of Canaan, Joshua was one of the two who returned with a positive report of faith that Israel could possess the land. Joshua believed God's promise, and sure word of victory. But, there never would have been one victory in the promised land if Joshua had not acted upon God's Word.

Faith is a fact, but faith is an act. Joshua's victories in Canaan required more than just faith in the ability of God. It required faith in doing what God had commanded. For example:

• At Jericho, God told them to march around the city quietly once every day for six days, on the seventh day to march around it seven times, and then shout. He required action.
• After the military defeat at Ai, Joshua received orders to get the sin out of the camp and then go up again to battle.
• In the battle with the five Canaanite kings, Joshua was instructed to have God's people put their feet upon the necks of the kings, symbolizing what God would do to all of their enemies.

To follow these and the many other instructions God gave during Israel's conquest of the land took faith in knowing that God was God, that He had power to deliver, and that His presence was with His people.

It is not enough to know that God is supreme. It is not enough to know that God is divine. It is not enough to know that God is God and to say, “Lord, we have confidence in Your ability.” We must have enough faith in God to obey His Word and act upon His promises.

God tells us to give and He will give back to us. He tells us to forgive and He will forgive us. He tells us in the heat of our battle, “Having done all to stand, stand therefore.” He tells us “Submit yourselves unto God, resist the devil and he will flee from you.” He tells us, “Launch out into the deep and trust Me.” He tells us to “Lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes.” He tells us to cast our burden upon Him and call upon Him in the day of trouble and He will deliver us.

We need the kind of faith that does not just sit back and say, “Well, whatever happens, will happen.” We need faith that will act upon God's Word and receive the blessings of His promises.

I will act upon God's Word in faith today, knowing I will receive the blessings He has promised.