God’s People on Mission
Joshua: Time to step up
All throughout the Bible we come across examples of men and women who were called to take the next step in their service of God. Paul followed Barnabas before taking the lead, Elisha had followed Elijah and then asked for and received a double portion of God’s anointing. But some of the hardest shoes to step into would have been those that Joshua was called to pull on following the death of Moses.
The call to ‘step up’ comes in different ways. Sometimes a need arises, other times it is a sense that God is stirring and commanding you to serve. Either way, I’m very aware of how difficult it can be at times, and how tempting it might be to remain in a place of relative comfort.
I remember the mixed feelings I had when it was time to step out from under the shadow of our Senior Pastor, and to serve in a church where I had been given the primary responsibility as shepherd. Was I nervous and worried about what it would be like? Absolutely. But I also felt that now I could try things that had come to mind in the past, not that I thought they were better than that of the leaders I’d served under, but that I could trust in God and test the things I felt that He was teaching me.
Did I make mistakes? I sure did! There are plenty of things that I’d do differently. But Mistakes are part of God’s training program. So long as we are humble and teachable, God is gracious and forgiving.
Joshua certainly learned that. He’d made his own mistakes, and he’d seen the mistakes of the past. Not just the mistakes of Moses, but of the people who’d refused to trust God and His Word, and instead chose to try and remain in a place of comfort. Sometimes, remaining comfortable is simply synonymous with a few more laps of the wilderness.
And so when the time came to step up, Joshua knew there was only one direction he must go, and so he gave the command to break camp and prepare for the task that the Lord had laid before them.
Do you think Joshua was nervous about what lay before him? I’d say so! Three times the Lord says to him: ‘Be strong and of good courage!’ And that determination was at the heart of what it took to obey The Lord. In possibly the most greatly loved pair of verses in the book of Joshua we read:
be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
God regularly and repeatedly comes to us in our walk of faith, and tells us it is time to step up. It might be to serve in a ministry that we’ve seen others serve in, or to begin to lead. It might be to step out of a comfortable place, hearing God’s voice to share the Good News with a friend, family member or neighbour.
When that stirring comes, it is important to respond. If we don’t, the alternative might be a few more laps around the wilderness. But the wilderness is not the place we want to focus on. Our focus should always be on the Lord.
Be strong and courageous, do not turn either side from what God has taught you, hold securely to God and His Word, and He will lead you and bring you to the very place He has called you to serve.
And remember it is never about being mistake free, it is about being humble, faithful and determined to follow Christ and see Him glorified in your life.
