The Prophetic Word

Keeping God’s word is not merely treasuring and appreciating it. If that is all it means, one risks being counted among the sadly notorious group of nominal Christians. Nominalism is figurative, symbolic; it does not sink in but remains on the surface of Christianity. Keeping the word means intentionally, consciously, and practically doing what it says

. Every Sunday—as a rule—we hear sermons that challenge us, exhort us, and encourage us to serve and to practice authentic Christianity. If that is not happening in your Christian life, you should talk to God about it. The truth is that only a very small percentage of what is heard is put into practice. And putting it into practice means obeying.

The entire book of Joshua emphasizes the importance of keeping and obeying God’s word. The Lord said to Joshua: “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you take care to do everything written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous and have success.” (Joshua 1:8). The people, too, would prosper to the extent that they kept and obeyed the Law.

All God’s promises to his people were fulfilled in Joshua’s time. The covenant of obedience to the Word was renewed. In the final chapters, Joshua’s prophetic word, as he nears death in old age, exhorts the people again and again not to abandon the Lord, to serve him wholeheartedly, to love him above all things, not to be “unequally yoked” with the idolaters who worshiped foreign gods in the conquered lands, and to be faithful servants. He also warns them of the terrible consequences of disobedience.

We need the prophetic word of men whose testimony inspires us to live godly lives in Christ in a world of perversity and injustice. If you have found a man or woman of this caliber, do not lose sight of that person. Just remember that a Christian is someone who lives as Christ did, according to his word and in keeping with his will. Anything else is fanfare and hypocrisy. Remember, too, that sanctification, in biblical terms, is a process for everyone who has been born again. “But now, having been freed from sin and made servants of God, you have sanctification as your fruit, and eternal life as the result.” (Rom. 6:22).

One of Joshua’s beautiful teachings for the church and for Christians today is that, to see God’s wonders (his mighty and incredible deeds), we must sanctify ourselves, circumcise our hearts. The walls of Jericho fell because the people sanctified themselves; the Jordan opened because Joshua’s troops were circumcised as a sign of the covenant. A holy nation, set apart for God—the church—is aware that sanctification is the logical and urgent process through which every Christian must pass. “For God has not called us to impurity, but to live in sanctification.” (1 Thess. 4:7)

Joshua’s prophetic word from God (Joshua 23 and 24) teaches us that God’s providence, even when we do not understand it, always favors his people, demonstrating his unchanging nature and therefore his faithfulness. We are far from perfect; we sin, we fall…but he raises us up through the undeserved gift of his grace. “Every good gift and every perfect gift come from above, descending from the Father of lights, with whom there is no change or shadow of variation” (James 1:17).

Christ is the center of our lives; apart from him, we can do nothing, and if we disregard him, we condemn ourselves to certain failure. God’s plan extends beyond our lives. Whatever we do, the plan moves forward. Is it not better, then, to keep and do God’s word so that things may go well for us? Serving the Lord brings indescribable joy; living the gospel while holding fast to his Word is a guarantee of peace, even amid storms. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8). That is our true hope.

May God bless his Word!

Suggested reading: Joshua 23 and 24. END