“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
Years ago, Joshua had been one
of the dozen spies who Moses had sent into Canaan to survey the land. But there
was only him and Caleb who brought back good reports. There were great risks to
be faced in the form of giants the abundant rewards would be worth those risks.
But now he was older and was
actually in charge now. No longer was it a matter of just proclaiming, “We can
do this!” Now it was a matter of, “Let’s go do this! Follow me!” His life and
his reputation were on the line now!
The first big obstacle would be the fortress of Jericho.
Could he do this? Should he even try? What if he failed?
Those must have been some of
the thoughts racing through his mind on the eve of the long awaited day. Why
else did God keep urging him to have courage?
As we know, Joshua stepped up with great courage and led
God’s people well!
This is a day for some “Joshuas”! We stand on the verge
of some unknown territory!
One thing that was obvious
from the recent election is that many of the things we value and hold dear are
not valued or held dear by at least half of our nation. So what happens when we
are the only ones left who believe what we believe and love what we love?
What will you do when you are
one of the few who believes the Bible is God’s Word and the only authoritative source
of truth?
Have courage to keep believing!
What will you do when you are
one of the few who believes that trusting Jesus Christ as Savior is the
exclusive way to salvation and to eternal life and you are ridiculed for that
belief?
Have courage to keep believing!
What will you do when you are
one of the few who believes that gay marriage is immoral and wrong? What if you are despised and called
intolerant for that view?
Have courage to keep believing!
What will you do when you are the only person where you
work who refuses to cheat or lie when the boss demands it?
Have courage to keep refusing!
This is the culture in which we live. These are some of
the pressures we are and will increasingly face. The election made that clear.
Will you change with your culture and compromise your
beliefs? Or, will you be a Joshua and be confident in your beliefs while
standing courageously for them? Will you continue teaching them to your
children?
By the way, Joshua WAS courageous, God
strengthened him, he stood and Jericho fell!