Family Camp 2020 Theme: HE>ME

Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory,
    for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!
Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?”
Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases.
– Psalm 115:1-3

The book of Joshua opens after the death of Moses and with the Lord instructing Joshua to lead Israel to cross the Jordan into the Promised Land. God had delivered them from their life of slavery in Egypt, guided them for over forty years in the wilderness, and now it was time for the next generation to transition from the wilderness into the land that God had promised to their ancestors.  

Their first big test, however, was the mighty city of Jericho. If any of us were tasked with this assignment we would probably immediately size up our resources… and strategize the best way to leverage our strengths… and exploit any weaknesses of Jericho… and capitalize on the momentum of crossing the Jordan and… 

… rely on our own plans, perspective, programs, and power more than prayer

… ignore the reality that God is in charge, in control, and intimately involved already

… forget that He doesn’t actually need us at all, and yet He invites us to join His mission

The goal of this summer’s devotional is to challenge us to first turn our attention to God’s presence, praise, provision, and purpose. This is so easy to say, but so difficult to practice on a daily basis, which is why we need to cry out for the wisdom to see all of life from this perspective. As Paul prayed in Ephesians 1:18-19, may the eyes of our hearts be enlightened to see “what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might.”

Simply put, the story of Joshua and the battle of Jericho remind us how God’s priorities and plans are always better.