In Joshua, we see the Israelites marching around the walls of Jericho with uncommon battle strategies, but through obedience, winning victory with God. The result of Joshua's obedience to God leads to his fame with people. People began to talk about how amazing Joshua was. The scripture says that his name was famous in all of the land. God promised Joshua that if he would obey His law, He would make him prosperous and successful. Most of us live our lives planning what we will do if we fail — but what will we do when we succeed?

Immaturity only prepares for failure, maturity plans on being successful

1. Persist in Prayer

Throughout the book of Joshua, we see him talking with God. In success and failure, Joshua persisted in prayer. Our prayer paves a pathway of trust in God. It is from this place that we can obey Him, even when we don’t understand. The first sin in the Bible is relational, not intellectual. Adam and Eve didn’t trust God. The devil tempted them by saying that they could be like God if they ate from the forbidden tree. Adam and Eve sinned, and instead of turning to God and confessing, they hid from God. In prayer we remove the veil, bringing our full selves before God.

Pass the Promise

Everything we do, good or bad, has a consequence. Oftentimes we allow our pride to believe the lie that those around us will not be affected by our actions. The truth is that the promise is rarely just for us — God blesses us so we can bless others. Unwillingness to share the promise is a mark of immaturity. In Joshua 10:25, we see Joshua shouting to others in public what God had said to him in private. By passing down and sharing our promises, we allow the opportunity for others to be blessed by that same promise.

God promised Joshua prosperity and success if he would obey his law. As we persist in prayer for God to mature us, we must ask ourselves what we will do when we succeed. If the devil cannot bring us down with failure, he will try and corrupt us with success. What we do not turn to praise turns to pride. We are called to surrender the momentums of every season in praise. As the Lord blesses others through us, we are allowed to pass the promise. We experience moments of fame so that He has eternal fame. Allow your light to ignite others, trusting that when God gives you something it will be enough to share.