Which is it?

“The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still” (Exodus 14:14).

“Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give them – to the Israelites. I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses” (Joshua 1:2-3).

Hmmm.

Which is it? “The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still” or “Go and take the land I promised you”?

These are two entirely different things.

As a rule of thumb, ask yourself are the things God is asking you to do within your control and abilities or whether they are outside your control and abilities. When it comes to those things that are outside our abilities and control, that’s when God fights for us. When it comes to those things that are within our abilities and control, God expects us to do what he asks us because he has already made it possible for us to do those things.

“Alright, preacher man, what in the world are you talking about?”

That’s a good question. So, when it comes to salvation, that’s all God. There’s not a darn thing we can do to earn our salvation. There is nothing we can do to get people “saved.” That’s all God. Only God can change this world. Only God can save. These are things way outside our abilities and control. Chill out. Trust God and watch him at work.

But there are many things within our abilities and control. What we think about. How we spend our time. How we treat others. How we point people to Jesus. Overcoming temptation. Forgiving those who hurt us. Repenting our sins. These are all within our control. AND God expects us to go and do what God asks us to do. The only one standing in the way of realizing these promises is you and me.

What are you waiting for? Go ahead. Do that which is in your control. Do those things that you can manage. There is more than enough to keep us busy for a lifetime.