SCRIPTURE: Joshua 1
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. [Joshua 1:9]
I can see why Joshua would be scared.
He is following Moses, the greatest leader Israel had known.
He is leading the nation to conquer fortified cities, skilled armies and large soldiers.
Israel consists of a hodge-podge of former slaves that wandered the wilderness for 40 years.
How can they compete with the armies, soldiers and fortresses of Canaan?
His only assurance – that God is with Him.
Apparently this is enough!
Do I see my calling as the same as Joshua’s or as Israel’s?
To enter a foreign, fortified environment and take on the powers of the land?
To do this with the hodge-podge thing called ‘church’?
And with the only assurance that God is with us?
Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’ [Matthew 28:18-20]
The parallels here are crucial.
First of all, Jesus is our Joshua, we are God’s people.
He has been entrusted with the authority to lead us.
He is strong and courageous.
His teaching is the key to success and prosperity.
The promised land for us is the whole planet, and all nations.
We do not fight with physical weapons, but our warfare is very real, a spiritual battle.
We need to be strong and courageous too.
But through it all we have the assurance that the Lord is with us… and that is enough!!!
Here I am in Ajax.
I am feeling the call to get out of the ‘church’ in order to be the church, to enter into the land and engage the people.
To overcome my fears and speak with people, to share my faith, to share the good news message of Jesus.
And to mobilize the people of Crossroads to do the same.
Let me be honest, this is getting scary for me.
I have worked within the safe confines of ‘church’ for too long.
The ‘what ifs’ of stepping out of my comfort zone are huge.
But not stepping out is not an option.
So I need to heed God’s words to Joshua, and Jesus’ words to me: Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. [Joshua 1:9]; And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’ [Matthew 28:20]
PRAYER:
Lord, I am getting more scared as I think about it. This is good, it will make me rely more on you than on myself.
Joshua, my hero.
‘As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous . . . be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you . . . ‘
Near fear. God is near. I need to run on GodPower and not selfpower. He has shown the Way. Just do it. Walk in His SonShine. Keep in His Way for there is no other way. Just do it. Trust and obey. He is with me, always. My strength each day comes from the Lord and when I trust on His power I am strong. Fears come when I focus on self and when I do not keep my eyes on the goal Christ has set before me. This is the way. Walk in it. Just do it and He will energize me to do His will. As He was with His people in past days, He continues to be with His people today, leading the Way, if they/I just do what He commands.
I need to walk with my risen Saviour each day. He gives His people strength also today.
1. God gives His people strength.
If we believe in His way, He’s swift to repay
All those who bear the burden of the day
God gives His people strength.
2. God gives His people hope
If we but trust in His word, our prayers are always heard
He warmly welcomes anyone who’s erred.
God gives His people hope.
3. God gives His people love
If we but open wide our hearts, He’s sure to do His part
He’s always the first to make a start.
God gives His people love.
4. God gives His people peace.
When sorrow fills us to the brim, and courage grows dim
He lays to rest our restlessness in Him.
God gives His people peace.