Joshua 12-15 (Psalm 85)

As Joshua leads the Israelites into the Promised Land and conquers the wicked kings in Canaan, the mighty hand of God is with them each step of the way giving them victory and favor.

Psalm 85:13 (NKJV) "Righteousness will go before Him [the LORD], and shall make His footsteps our pathway."

II Corinthians 5:21 (NKJV) "For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him."

Believers in Jesus have been made righteous before God because of radical humility and amazing grace. The pathway to righteousness is paved with suffering, troubles, persecution and ultimately death, but the destination and journey is advancing the kingdom of God and communion/close relationship with the Father. Last weekend at a men's breakfast I had the opportunity to encourage and pray with a young college-aged man who has a desire to grow in the fruit of the Spirit. He felt that he was deficient in kindness, gentleness and other virtues toward others because he has been very focused on combatting temptation and sexual impurity. It dawned on me, if one is praying for fresh filling and indwelling of the Holy Spirit daily and primary focus is on listening to what God is leading and speaking, and we are obeying faithfully in deed - then we are maintaining our end of the covenant by loving the LORD with all our heart, soul and strength. With our aim set on pleasing God because we love him and know that His love for us is not earned or maintained by obedience, we are liberated by the truth that God only desires our love, not sacrifice. 

Deuteronomy 6:5 (NIV) "Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength."

Hosea 6:6 (NKJV) "For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings."

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