Courage to Represent Our God

Joshua is one of the Great Leaders in scripture.

He trained under Moses, and was a dependable spy and military leader, and he was loyal to God and to Moses.

Joshua was the right successor for Moses.

But his job was beyond human description.  The number of people to led  was  in the millions, and sometimes they obeyed God and sometimes they rebelled against God.  They said they would obey the LORD, and did at times, but they were easily distracted and would fall into idol worship and immoral behavior.  

Joshua witnessed the spiritual ups and downs of the people for over forty years.

Before Moses died, Moses appointed Joshua to lead the people as God commanded.

Here is a great highlight.  We never read where Joshua was afraid, or tells God he did not want the assignment.

What we read is God's repetitive encouragement for Joshua to be courageous (Joshua 1).

Today, the overt push in our society to leave God and the Bible out demands that Christians have courage to remain faithful to our mission to make disciples of Christ.

In doing our mission we need courage to stand firm in our faith, stick to God's standards from the Bible, love unconditionally, and do good toward others, and deal with the inevitable persecution because we represent what people reject.

When these actions and characteristics are displayed by Christians, non Christians pay attention and are drawn to God (Matt. 5:16).

Christian's, our God given way is unpopular, and narrow, but it leads to life eternal (Matt. 7:13-14).

Christian's, let us take what God gave to Joshua, and let us courageously do our work in the world around us ("Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go") - Joshua 1:9.

God Bless,

Pastor Brian E. Kennedy, Sr.