{The Sunday school lesson the previous week - which I did not teach - dealt with resisting temptation.}
We all probably experienced a few times this week that
resisting temptation requires this little thing called courage.
So, What is courage?
In the Bible all of my favorite stories are the stories
about ordinary people. The people that you and I can relate to the most. The
fact is – as much as we might want to, we can’t all be superstars and celebrities in
the world’s eyes. Sometimes we have to simply be responsible and courageous
enough to do the task that God has given us as an individual person.
There was a man in the Old
Testament, who was ordinary, but God gave him a really special task.
Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and
of a good courage;
be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed:
for the Lord thy
God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
~Joshua 1:1-16~
Joshua’s name means “Jehovah is salvation.” God selected him to train
beside Moses in preparation to lead some 4 million grumpy former slaves into
the Promised Land. The day that Moses died would be the day that Joshua took
command. He would be expected to uphold the laws that God had established, lead
all 4 million into the Promised Land, conquer the land, and peacefully turn it
into a home for these people who had never done anything except wander around
the desert. Not fun…
It would be scary enough if you found yourself suddenly responsible
for your family, let alone an entire country.
If you were in
Joshua’s army, what might you fear?
Death, injury, slavery, giants, crossing the
river, being abandoned, etc.
What happened
the last time the Israelites faced the possibility of entering the Promised
Land?
They rebelled against God because of their
fear and refused to go. Result: 40 years of wandering around in the wilderness
What was
different about the Israelites approach this time? Why did the people have so
much confidence?
They trusted in God’s promises – that they
would conquer the land, settle there, have a permanent home, etc.
What would the
willingness of the people this time to cross the river and go into the
Promised Land mean for Joshua?
Excitement,
willingness to continue, courage
This time entering the Promised Land was totally different because
they had confidence that God would keep His promises. Remember they had seen a
pillar of cloud or fire lead them every day and night, they had seen water pour
out of a rock, they had seen sufficient food provided for them daily, they had
seen clothes and shoes never wear out (or go out of style). They knew that they
could trust God.
Putting their trust in God made all of the difference. Crossing the
Jordan River to go to the Promised Land was scary, but they could be confident
that God would take care of them.
Remember a few weeks ago, we talked about things that we are afraid
of? Some people said things like spiders or insects, dying or sickness, even rollercoasters/heights.
There are a lot of things that we tend to be afraid of. But we don’t have to
let our fear distract us from doing what God wants. The Israelites didn’t enter
the home that God had made available to them simply because they were afraid.
BUT… Forty years later their children watched as God magnificently conquered
the land for them through miracles and wondrous works... simply because they had
the courage to cross a river.
God knows when we are afraid. He cares about us. He tells us that in
the Bible.
Put your faith before your feelings. Fear is easy, and faith is hard.
Remember that God is our salvation. Not only our salvation from our
sins, but also our freedom from our fears.
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