Good morning, I hope your week has gotten off to a strong start. Today we read the first 5 chapters of Joshua. That sounds like a lot, but is still only 98 verses. We have done much more.
Complete emersion
The major theme throughout the opening chapter is that we can be strong and courageous.
When we carefully obey everything written in the Book of the Law, we can trust God to grant success. This is not a simple task. The only way we can even come close to obeying all the Laws, is if we meditate on them day and night.
When I am writing a sermon, or in November, when I wrote my book, I maintained that much focus on God’s word. I would spend six to eight hours sitting at my desk with five Bible translations and half a dozen commentaries open. Praying and agonizing over every line, even every word.
Why was that word used, and did it mean the same thing to the people then as it does to us now?
What was going on at that time? This would require Google and looking into a myriad of history books.
How does that compare to other times in history? Did the people listen? Was there a change in their outcome?
I can only speak for myself, but I believe this is a common experience among many preachers. We know the seriousness of our responsibility to preach the gospel. The Bible states God will hold us to a higher standard when we stand before His throne. (see James 3:1).
Even after writing our first draft, there are hours of editing and with each one we have to contemplate, if I change it, is it still scriptural?
For me, I need to be in the house, alone, and with no distractions for a complete work day.
Joshua is saying we would have to conduct ourselves in that way for all night and all day. Every waking hour focused on the Lord.
When I have the time and opportunity to spend a day immersed in God’s Word, I am overjoyed. I wish that every day, all day, could be like that. This is what heaven will be like. Or at least I hope it is.
Reality hits
Down here on earth, we have jobs that pay our bills, so we have to put down the Bible and pick up the phones. We accept we are representing God in all we do.
My wife tells me all the time, as I head to my office, “Remember to do all things as if you were doing them for the glory of God.” This is a glorious reminder and helps maintain some of that focus.
But we had deadlines, and kids to get to practice, and appointments to keep. Managers put demands on us, and we feel to maintain the strength of our witness, we must deliver.
We also know that only Jesus was ever successful at keeping all these laws. So, we bow before Him and ask for forgiveness.
Patience and faith
Like the people in Joshua’s command, we ready ourselves for battle and step into the river, trusting the water will stop flowing. Questioning if we have enough faith, we feel we are about to drown.
Our responsibility as leaders and parents compels us to emulate Rahab’s self-sacrifice (“Our lives for your lives,” Joshua 2:14). Do we possess the strength to uphold our end of this bargain?
Will we be able to hold out for three days?
The disciples faced this challenge after Jesus’ crucifixion. Their leader was gone. They knew, like us, that they had not kept the whole law. Could they hold out three days?
When the three days passed, the Israelites were told to watch for when the ark would move. When it did, they followed.
On the third day, the disciples saw Jesus moving again, and they knew it was time to move. They followed.
We must be strong and courageous. See where Jesus is moving in your life. Once you recognize His presence, move with Him. As Joshua told his troops, prepare yourselves; consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow you will see the Lord work wonders among you. (Jos 3:5)
Are you ready to move?
