Be Strong & Courageous
For the next seven weeks I will highlight lessons we can learn
from a variety of different Bible characters.
I love the story of Joshua, especially in this moment where uncertainty in our world is at an all-time high. It’s easy for us to feel overwhelmed, yet Joshua reminds us that we can have confidence in God at all times.
Consider how Joshua was shaped by his experiences...many of which were not easy.
Soldier:
Soon after the Israelites left Egypt, Moses appointed Joshua to defend Israel against an attack from the Amalekites. Moses watched while the battle raged. His arms were continually raised to God, because – if he lowered them – the Amalekites would seize the advantage, so other men held Moses’ arms aloft. The fighting was fierce, but Joshua courageously led the Israelites and refused to give up.
And yet…can you imagine how it felt to be on the front lines, but the battle was being determined by whether or not Moses was acknowledging God? Joshua learned the importance of valor, but – more importantly – he learned that the outcome of an event ultimately does not depend on our own strength, but on God.
Does this prompt any thoughts about your willingness to trust God more than your own efforts?
Spy:
Joshua was one of several spies sent to infiltrate the land of Canaan, and to report back to Moses on the prospects for a successful invasion. Virtually of the other spies advised retreat, because the inhabitants of Canaan appeared to be stronger than the Israelites. Joshua, though – along with another man named Caleb –urged the people to trust God and believe that he would deliver the land to them. Why? Because God had promised to do so.
All the spies viewed the same terrain, and saw the same enemy, but their view of what to trust – their own impressions or God’s promises – greatly influenced their perspective.
Spy:
Joshua was one of several spies sent to infiltrate the land of Canaan, and to report back to Moses on the prospects for a successful invasion. Virtually of the other spies advised retreat, because the inhabitants of Canaan appeared to be stronger than the Israelites. Joshua, though – along with another man named Caleb –urged the people to trust God and believe that he would deliver the land to them. Why? Because God had promised to do so.
All the spies viewed the same terrain, and saw the same enemy, but their view of what to trust – their own impressions or God’s promises – greatly influenced their perspective.
Does this prompt any thoughts about your willingness to trust what God has promised…more than your own opinions or impressions?
Aide:
Joshua was Moses’ right-hand man. When Moses went up onto the mountain to receive the 10 Commandments, Joshua was the only person permitted to go with him. When Moses left the tent where he communed with God to report God’s words to the people, Joshua stood guard at the entrance. Clearly, he had the implicit trust of both Moses and God.
Joshua would have learned a ton simply by being at Moses’ side: watching, listening, observing as Moses led the people through 40 years of uncertainty:
Wandering in the wilderness.
Relying on God for their food each day.
Letting God decide where they traveled and where they camped.
By watching Moses in action, Joshua would have been continually reminded of one simple, powerful fact: trusting God makes all the difference. Trusting God is what allows us to press on in seasons of uncertainty.
Aide:
Joshua was Moses’ right-hand man. When Moses went up onto the mountain to receive the 10 Commandments, Joshua was the only person permitted to go with him. When Moses left the tent where he communed with God to report God’s words to the people, Joshua stood guard at the entrance. Clearly, he had the implicit trust of both Moses and God.
Joshua would have learned a ton simply by being at Moses’ side: watching, listening, observing as Moses led the people through 40 years of uncertainty:
Wandering in the wilderness.
Relying on God for their food each day.
Letting God decide where they traveled and where they camped.
By watching Moses in action, Joshua would have been continually reminded of one simple, powerful fact: trusting God makes all the difference. Trusting God is what allows us to press on in seasons of uncertainty.
Does this prompt any thoughts about your own willingness to trust God during this time of uncertainty?
Can you believe that God knows the route…that he knows the destination…and that he will give you strength for this journey?
You and I obviously are in a vastly different situation than Joshua. We’re not asked to take an army into battle, or to spy on enemies, or to lead our nation. Like him, though, we simply are asked to trust.
Can you believe that God knows the route…that he knows the destination…and that he will give you strength for this journey?
You and I obviously are in a vastly different situation than Joshua. We’re not asked to take an army into battle, or to spy on enemies, or to lead our nation. Like him, though, we simply are asked to trust.
To believe that God has given us what we need to face whatever challenges come our way.
To believe that we – like Joshua – have been shaped by our circumstances; we can look back at what God has done and be reminded that we can trust him.
So I believe we can take heart from the same words that God spoke to Joshua:
Let me pray for you.
Heavenly Father, thank you for the example of Joshua. He faced some difficult and frightening circumstances – leading in battle, stealthily infiltrating Canaan, standing by Moses’ side for all those years in the wilderness. And through it all, he learned to trust. To trust you above all things.
I pray that each person reading this blog would be encouraged by Joshua’s example. May they never forget that you are with them, and that they can confidently follow wherever you lead. As they make the daily choice to trust you, may they receive strength and courage from you to face whatever comes. In the precious and powerful name of Jesus, Amen.
So I believe we can take heart from the same words that God spoke to Joshua:
“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).
Let me pray for you.
Heavenly Father, thank you for the example of Joshua. He faced some difficult and frightening circumstances – leading in battle, stealthily infiltrating Canaan, standing by Moses’ side for all those years in the wilderness. And through it all, he learned to trust. To trust you above all things.
I pray that each person reading this blog would be encouraged by Joshua’s example. May they never forget that you are with them, and that they can confidently follow wherever you lead. As they make the daily choice to trust you, may they receive strength and courage from you to face whatever comes. In the precious and powerful name of Jesus, Amen.
Comments
Post a Comment