Joshua 1:11
Pass through the host and command the people, saying, “Prepare food supplies; for within three days you shall pass over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land which the Lord your God gives you to possess it.”
I believe that one of the hardest things that we do as people and as Christians is to wait. Patience is a virtue, but it is not fun. We are all accustomed to having things immediately if not sooner. We have microwaves, instant tea, faster computers and drive through eating places where we do not have to wait to get our food.
It is no wonder that we get frustrated sometimes in the Christian walk because God does not operate on the same “instant” time frame. Oh, not that He couldn’t, He spoke and the worlds came into being. He could bring everything together in the twinkling of an eye, but He doesn’t choose to do it that way.
You see in today’s verse that Joshua told the people to get ready. Now this must have been an excited group. They had been wandering in the wilderness for forty years. They were ready to get into their new homes and new land. So why did he say that they would be going within the next three days instead of saying for them to load up and get going now?They were all ready and willing.
Often times we feel that we are ready and willing, and God puts us on hold for a while. I think He does that for at least three reasons. One, I believe that He wants us to really view the task before us to see how impossible it really is. Secondly, it is a time to test our faith to see if we are trusting in ourselves or in Him. Thirdly, it is an opportunity for us to make a quality choice to follow Him, and not one based on the excitement of the moment.
Waiting is not fun, but it does prove to have worthwhile results.