Jun
24
2009
Francis Chan Got Me Thinking…
… it’s been a really long time since I’ve studied an Old Testament book in my quiet time. I’ve been hanging out in the four gospels, Acts, and Romans lately. Those are good, but on Sunday at The Vine, Francis Chan reminded me of one of my favorite OT books, Joshua. He was preaching on the subject of “God is Strength.” He pulled from God’s command to Joshua that he be “strong and courageous.” I seem to always need that reminder. Furthermore, Joshua’s just a great book on leadership and personal faith. So, yesterday I started studying Joshua again. The Lord implores Joshua to be strong and courageous, and I believe that there are three specific means for us to be strong and courageous outlined in verses 6-9:
- Be strong and courageous b/c of God’s Promises! God says it this way: Be strong and courageous b/c you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them(v.6). When you know God’s promises for your life, you can walk in strength and courage. God’s promises are true and everlasting! God won’t contradict God’s word and promises. You can take them to the bank. The Bible is full of promises, both conditional and unconditional. Do you know them? Do you know the one promise that God has for you right now, regardless of your circumstance?
- Be strong and courageous b/c of God’s Plan! Check out these phrases: ”Be careful to obey all the law…” ”Do not turn from it to the right or to the left” “Do not let this book of law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything in it.” God’s law is God’s plan for a prosperous and successful life (please note that I’m not speaking of prosperity in terms of $$$). It’s not a suggestion! It’s the blueprint and design. If you don’t do ALL of it, it’ll be incomplete. If you deviate the slightest bit, it might mess up the whole plan. If you’re not consumed with it, you might miss a detail. Know it! Know ALL of it! Do ALL of it! Be consumed with ALL of it! When you’re following God’s Plan, you’ll be strong and courageous!
- Be strong and courageous b/c of God’s Presence! Twice in the first 9 verses, God promises to be with Joshua wherever he goes. God’s promised the same for all of Christ’s followers. God gives Jesus’ followers the promised gift of the Holy Spirit. If God’s for you, with you, and in you, who can be against you?
Be strong and courageous b/c of God’s Promises, God’s Plan, and God’s Presence!
