One life showing how steps of faith lead to certainty for service

By Dean Collins

“Understand that clarity often comes as we take action, not simply by waiting for it.”

On the first of January I wrote that sentence, thinking about the challenges and opportunities of a new year. I also wrote out a seven-line prayer to guide my work and ministry in the coming year. The second line of that prayer says, “Give us clarity to meet the needs we see this year.”

The prayer was for me and for those I support in the work of Point University. As I considered that prayer and began to pray, it dawned on me that there are many places in Scripture where clarity of purpose or direction came only when men and women took action steps. Steps of faith. The life of Joshua is a great example.

Steps of faith

God appointed Joshua to lead the children of Israel into the Promised Land after the death of Moses. One of the first things God said to Joshua assured him that with every step he took, God would surrender the land to his possession: “Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised Moses.” Joshua had seen with his own eyes how God led and provided for Moses with each step of obedience. Now Joshua would experience the same and more. Joshua would actually know the victory of the Promised Land.

Can you imagine walking in that kind of victory? Every place your foot walked was given to you? Joshua would not personally own all the dirt. He would receive an inheritance for himself and his family. However his steps of faith would bring victory for hundreds of thousands, even millions of God’s people. His steps of faith mattered for everyone he led and not just for himself.

The truth is that our steps of faith have impact on others that we seldom imagine. The things you do in faith today may be the very things God uses to bring life, hope, and salvation to someone you know and likely for many you don’t know. Joshua would have personally known very few of the people he led, yet his obedience would have an impact on all of them.

The truth is that our steps of faith have impact on others
that we seldom imagine.

Joshua would face resistance. There would be times where what Joshua saw would suggest that the odds were not in his favor. It would require strength and courage to walk into enemy territory. God knew that Joshua would see opposition in every step, so he reminded Joshua over and over: “Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” What a wonderful promise to have the gift of God’s presence in every step.

Uncertain steps

But even with God’s presence we must be willing to take the step forward in what may still look uncertain to us. Imagine yourself as an Israelite hearing the plan from Joshua and other leaders. “The Levitical priests will be carrying the ark of the covenant. They will be a half a mile or more ahead of the next group, and then everyone else will fall in behind as we enter the Promised Land.”

Then imagine seeing the priests carrying the ark directly toward the Jordan River. There was no bridge to cross. Only Joshua and Caleb had firsthand experience crossing the Red Sea. The rest of the Israelites only knew the stories. It’s one thing to hear the story and a different thing to take a step into the river not certain of what happens next.

Protected steps

We can all relate. How many times has God nudged you to a new ministry, job, relationship, conversation, or business venture? And when he nudged, did you know all of the ways things would work out? Probably not. We rarely know all the the details or outcomes when we begin anything. If we ever knew in advance the difficulties and challenges of all of our decisions, we would likely never step out. However, when we abide in Christ, his presence goes with us on every step of our journey. He will be with us when the enemy fire begins and ends. He will guide us through every dark and cloudy day.

The Israelites felt the miracle of dry ground where minutes before there was a flowing river. Likewise we can experience the peace of God even when our circumstances are interrupted by the noise and chaos of the world. God will walk every step with us so that we can know his presence and others can see his glory through our obedience.

Be strong and courageous and step out in faith. God will meet you there!

Your time with God’s Word
‭‭Joshua‬ ‭1:3, 5-7, 9, 11; 3:1-9, 4-17 ‭ESV‬‬

Photo by Jeffrey Wegrzyn at Unsplash.

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