Joshua followed in the footsteps of Moses. God’s first words to Joshua after Moses death were significant. He said, “…arise, go over this Jordan” (Joshua 1:2). The mantle of leadership was now on him and it was time for Joshua to cross over into the Promise Land. He not only had the direction from the Lord, but also he had the courage to act boldly as God’s appointed man.
For the past 40 years, the Jordan River had separated the Israelites from the land God had promised them. Joshua held on to his dream of living in the beautiful, fertile land. The past 40 years had made it clear that before Israel could conquer the inhabitants of Canaan, they must first overcome the true source of their containment: their unbelief and wrong thinking.
From the day they walked out of Egypt, carrying the gold and riches of their oppressors, the Israelites were a nation destined to be conquerors. God called them out of Egypt into a wilderness apart from any other influence. He brought the Israelites into His own personal protection and provision, in order to reveal Himself to them.
For us, “wilderness” brings to mind aimless wandering and great adversity. That was not the case for Israel in the beginning. Once they had reached the other side of the Red Sea and had witnessed the annihilation of the Pharaoh’s great army, they enjoyed the most marvelous experience in their lifetime: They were free to know and worship God. The seclusion of the wilderness provided the setting for a nation to learn how great their God really was.
God brought them into the wilderness for three reasons. The first reason was so that they would worship Him. Back in Egypt, Moses gave Pharaoh this reason for leaving Egypt: “…let us go, we beseech thee, three days’ journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the Lord our God” (Exodus 3:18).
This generation would discover what it meant to be God’s own people, no longer slaves. Until now they had known only the hard taskmasters of the Egyptian empire. God brought them freedom so they could serve Him.
The second reason was that God wanted to reveal to them that He would be their provider. In the wilderness, Israel learned to have confidence in God’s provision. It was not easy for this downcast nation to lift their eyes in trust. Though they believed in God’s existence, they had never seen Him. How could they expect from Him the essentials to keep them alive? Yet, as a result of their asking, God provided them with fresh manna from heaven and water from a rock.
There was a third lesson Israel learned as they went into this wilderness of freedom. They learned the importance of following God. God provided a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night to direct their steps. Again and again, when the cloud began to move, so must His people, even if it seemed inconvenient.
How closely we can identify with the struggles these people experienced! God has demonstrated that He will provide for us if we will worship and trust Him even in desert places. In our own lives, the time comes when we must press beyond merely believing in God, and reach out to discover that He is our provider as well. God expects us to follow Him where He leads us. When we yield to His leadership, we can stand secure that His plan and promise for us is coming to pass.
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Vikki and Dennis began as youth pastors in 1973 in Southern California where they received tremendous insight into the work of the local church. In 1976, they moved to Ft. Worth, Texas, to work with Kenneth Copeland Ministries. Vikki worked with KCM for three years before entering full-time ministry with her husband. Since that time, their relationship and involvement with Kenneth Copeland Ministries has continued. Vikki and Dennis have had numerous articles published in the Believer's Voice of Victory magazine.
Vikki has spoken in several nations including Australia, Japan, and Canada. She has ministered on television, radio, in women's conferences and marriage seminars. Her desire is to see people raised to a higher level of living through the Word of God. By acting on Gods principles, Vikki has obtained a testimony of victory and imparts encouragement to others.
Throughout the years, Vikki and Dennis have pursued new avenues of reaching people. The Lord has continued to expand their vision. Their dedication has affected thousands as they are impacting God's people with the love of God.