Joshua and Ashley Ridge
Okay, so I've been on a Joshua kick for a month and a half in my reading and with devotions I've shared with the ARC launch team. Here's the summary and the wrap-up:
As Moses neared the end of his life, he turned the reins over to Joshua, who was not a young guy. Nevertheless, he was new to the role of commander-in-chief of God's people and with the new role, came fear and uncertainty about what he would face. Joshua's task: lead God's people into the Promised Land. God's word to him, "Be strong and courageous. And be obedient to my word."
Joshua took God at His word. They went into the Promised Land kicking butt and taking names. And when they were done, they divided the land between families and then settled down to worship and live as a people whose purpose was to give glory to God in their worship and in their day-to-day life.
So, where's the parallel? Well, Joshua begins with a J and so does Jenn - kidding!!! Here's the parallel - God has set before us a Promised Land and it's ours to claim and take hold of. There are times of preparation and times to charge forward. We'll know which is which when we stay tuned in to God's word. Our purpose - to serve the Lord. Joshua said, "Choose this day whom you will serve. As for me and my house we will serve the Lord." In this world, there are always other places we can give our time and attention. But we have a chance to choose Jesus and serve Jesus and make glorifying Jesus the sole purpose and cornerstone of our lives - every day, not just Sunday.
There is a lot of ground in our world that is ready and needing to be re-claimed for Jesus. He has already won the victory and now the question sounds again, "How long will you wait before you begin to take possession of the land that the Lord, the God of your fathers, has given you?" (Joshua 18:3).
Now is our time. Our season of preparation is coming to a close and the charge is imminent.
3 comments:
Why don't we take possession of the land He's given us?
Here's one possibility- fear. That's what it is for me. I'm afraid of what people may think of me when I take sides for God or of how I might have to change if Christ calls me to. I'm afraid of this and I'm afraid of that.
And you know what my response to those fears should be? How dare I. How dare I think that what changes I make or what people think of me matters one iota when compared to what Jesus did for me.
It's hard sometimes to think of the magnitude of that sacrifice, especially because it's something that historically took place in the past. We can't see it. Sometimes I have trouble even imagining it.
I have trouble, that is, until I imagine it happening in front of me. When I personalize like that, actually seeing Jesus bleeding and suffocating, it becomes a reality...what I did...what He did. And that's when it hits me- how dare I.
During this holiday season, I want to forget about me and focus on Jesus, my Savior who paid the ultimate price and set me completely and totally free. That's good news if I've ever heard it.
That was a long comment.
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