Observe and Do
Joshua 1:7-9
There comes a time in the life of a Christian
{or many times} where you must stop wondering what to do and instead 'observe
and do.' God will bring his children to a corner that they cannot get out of,
they cannot move anywhere but where God wants them to go. Sometimes we fight it
or are blind to it (because of the flesh or our own will), but eventually we
will come to the place where there is nothing else to do but to 'observe and
do'. Observe what God wants us to do and then simply do it! {Of course, if you
are feeling rebellious, you can always refuse to obey God, but I wouldn't
recommend it.}
Joshua 1:7
"Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do
according to all the law...turn not from it to the right hand or to the
left..." Whatever it is that God wants you to do; you must be strong and
very courageous towards the task ahead of you. When we are "down"
spiritually, we struggle with what God would have us do, because we are not
"healthy" spiritually. When we need to be doing the work of Christ,
we must have a strong, healthy relationship with our Father in Heaven, and we
must also be courageous. Courage means to not fear what man can do, because God
is on your side. We must have the courage to stand our ground as we 'observe
and do' what God would have us to do. Both spiritual strength and the
Believer's courage are key factors in insuring that we will not turn (to the
right hand or to the left) away from God's will that he bids us to observe and
to do.
Joshua 1:8
"This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt
meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all
that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then
thou shalt have good success." 'Observe and do' is preceded by studying
and meditating on the word of God. If we are not filling our lives with the
influence of the Bible, how can we expect God to show us his will? You will not
find God by leaving his book on a shelf while you live your life; he uses his
word to reveal himself to you - you have to first read God's word, then you can
meditate on his word. Through this saturation of scripture, God promises to
make our way prosperous and to give us good success! That's the key - bathe
yourself in the word of God!
Joshua 1:9
"Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not
afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee
whithersoever thou goest." When you 'observe and do' what God wants done,
you can be assured that he will be by your side. There is not one place that
God will not go with you. When you stumble- he will catch you, when you need
him- he will be there! God is the one who has commanded you to 'observe and
do', he will not forsake you - he will never leave you.
What is it
that God would have you to observe? What does he want you to do? Are you
willing to do it? Are you preparing yourself to hear from God? Observe and do.