In general, most people do not like being told what to do. As people grow and mature, however, they learn to respond well to instructions and follow them as long as they are reasonable and safe. Little kids do not have that maturity or understanding, however. That is why toddlers scream "NO!!!" when they have to go to bed or eat their vegetables. They have to learn what adults have discovered, which has changed how they react to instructions and rules. Instructions and rules have a purpose. They are not given just to be given. They are given for the betterment of those who receive the rules or instructions. This is true with God’s instructions and commands found in Scripture. He does not tell His followers what to do for the sake of it. He tells His followers what to do because He knows what is in their best interest, and He wants them to thrive and live a full and fruitful life.
We learn in the book of Joshua that God had given Joshua and the Israelites a large task. They were to finally enter into the land that God had promised, even though the land had a surrounding city, and fighting the current occupants of the city seemed dangerous. Amidst this instruction, God gave Joshua (and the Israelites) a command. "Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left” (Joshua 1:7a). This was a call to obedience. God instructed the Israelites to obey all of the commandments that He had given them. This command was certainly not pointless. After giving them the command, God explained why He gave the command. It was for their benefit. If they obeyed and followed God, He told Joshua, "Then you will be successful in everything you do” (verse 7b). Now, this success did not mean that everything would always go their way and God would give them everything they wanted, but instead that they would live a grounded, secure life and be able to face whatever came their way.
Just like the Israelites, God gives us instructions for a purpose. Our instructions are for our good and His glory. He loves us, cares for us, and has a plan for us. When we faithfully obey Him and follow Him, we will thrive.
Is there a command in Scripture that you have been struggling to obey? Take some time to think about what might be the why behind that command. What might be the purpose behind that command that God has given? How does thinking about the “why” behind the command help you act faithfully as you seek to obey and honor God?
“Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua then commanded the officers of Israel, “Go through the camp and tell the people to get their provisions ready. In three days you will cross the Jordan River and take possession of the land the Lord your God is giving you.”
Then Joshua called together the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. He told them, “Remember what Moses, the servant of the Lord, commanded you: ‘The Lord your God is giving you a place of rest. He has given you this land.’ Your wives, children, and livestock may remain here in the land Moses assigned to you on the east side of the Jordan River. But your strong warriors, fully armed, must lead the other tribes across the Jordan to help them conquer their territory. Stay with them until the Lord gives them rest, as he has given you rest, and until they, too, possess the land the Lord your God is giving them. Only then may you return and settle here on the east side of the Jordan River in the land that Moses, the servant of the Lord, assigned to you.”
They answered Joshua, “We will do whatever you command us, and we will go wherever you send us. We will obey you just as we obeyed Moses. And may the Lord your God be with you as he was with Moses. Anyone who rebels against your orders and does not obey your words and everything you command will be put to death. So be strong and courageous!”
