Monday, August 1, 2011

"Get Started and Never Quit"

“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”-Joshua 1:7-9

In the above text, Moses has died and Joshua is put in charge to lead the people of Israel into the Promised Land. They have to go into Canaan, and there were 7 nations living there at the time that were bigger and stronger than Joshua and the people of Israel. Now if I was Joshua I would probably be peeing my pants or be doubtful. How do I “be strong and courageous” when I have to go into this land where we are outnumbered? But Joshua was faithful and believed that God would lead him. He didn’t hesitate for one minute; he took charge and moved out.

Courage cannot be seen in someone when there life is all lollipops and rainbows. It can only be seen in times of trials and adversity. Look at David when he went into the Valley of Elah to attack Goliath. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego when they were tossed in a furnace by King Nebuchadnezzar for refusing to bow down to the golden image of Nebuchadnezzar. Or Elijah who went up on top of Mount Caramel to face off with the 450 priests of Baal. I’m pretty sure the pressure was on for these guys.

Courage can only be seen in a person whose back is against the wall, the dragons are close and when the pressure is on. If and when you do slay your dragons, climb and conquer your mountains or whatever, you will become stronger and your self confidence will grow and grow. Perseverance in trials builds character (Romans 5:3-4), and character is the traits that define you as a person. I’m not saying do something crazy and stupid like robbing a bank to improve your character but if deals with walking with God, seize the opportunity.

The law that Joshua was given was to be followed, to mediate on it, sleep with it and breathe it. It was expected of him. We don’t follow the same laws like Joshua did to be right with God in our salvation but the principles still apply to us. Jesus gave us two commands to follow He says in Luke 10:27, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and, Love your neighbor as yourself.” The point I’m trying to make is this, we have to put Jesus first in our lives. Yes I know, we have jobs and we have to make money to support our families and pay bills but if we neglect Jesus and His word we will not go far in life. If we are not going to God in prayer and not allowing Him to guide us, how will we know that we are making the right choices?

Our walk with God is an interesting journey full of ups and downs; to me it’s a big mystery. Wherever and whatever your hands find something to do, give it 110% and don’t slack off. I don’t know where God is calling you; you have to find that out for yourself. Hopefully this series will edify and encourage you with your walk with the Maker of all things.

Is there a place where we are being called to go but are afraid to go or doubt God’s leading you? Trust Him…go and see what happens, go with simple child like faith that God is in control. “If God is with us, who can be against us?”-Romans 8:31