Daily Devotional
"As soon as all the kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan to the west, and all the kings of the Canaanites who were by the sea, heard that the Lord had dried up the waters of the Jordan for the people of Israel until they had crossed over, their hearts melted, and there was no longer any spirit in them because of the people of Israel. At that time the Lord said to Joshua, 'Make flint knives and circumcise the sons of Israel a second time.'"
Joshua 5:1-3
Israel had the perfect military opportunity. Their enemies were paralyzed with fear, completely vulnerable to attack. Any military strategist would say, “Strike now!” But God said the opposite: “Get flint knives.” He commanded something that would make His own people vulnerable for days or weeks.
This reveals a fundamental truth about God’s priorities: He values obedience over opportunity. Sometimes God opens doors not for us to rush through, but to test whether we’ll wait for His specific direction. The fear of the Canaanites created a window not for conquest, but for consecration.
We live in a culture obsessed with seizing opportunities, maximizing potential, and striking while the iron is hot. But God’s timing often looks like foolishness to human wisdom. He may give you an open door but ask you to wait. He may present an opportunity but call you to something completely different first.
Today's Challenge
Where in your life have you been assuming that an opportunity is automatically God's green light? How might God be calling you to consecration before conquest?
Prayer
Lord, forgive me for the times I've rushed ahead of Your timing because an opportunity looked good to me. Help me value Your approval over human opportunity. Give me wisdom to distinguish between open doors and Your specific calling. I want to prioritize obedience to You over what seems strategically wise. In Jesus' name, Amen.
