Poor Joshua
Poor Joshua. He was the new leader of God’s people, the Israelites. And he was all alone. The great prophet Moses, who led Israel all the way from Egypt to the edge of the promised land, was dead. And there stood Joshua, with a monumental task ahead of him. He was not only to lead these grumbling and complaining people, but to lead them in battle – against enemies that were bigger, faster and stronger. It would only be human of Joshua to be discouraged and afraid…maybe even want to throw in the towel, right?
Can you relate? Maybe you’re moving out on your own for the first time, away from the roost and out from under the protective hands of Mom and Dad. Or maybe, as a parent, you’re in charge of leading and caring for your family that, like the Israelites, always seem to be grumbling and complaining. Is there some monumental task or mountain ahead of you? The cancer that keeps coming back or the loved ones who will never be back. Is it a broken relationship that “can’t” be fixed, or a sinful habit that “can’t” be broken. It would only be human of us to be discouraged and afraid…maybe even want to throw in the towel, right?
The answer is, yes. It is human of us to despair – sinfully human. Every last one of us was born into this world as a failure. We fail to live up to God’s perfect standards. We fail at loving God and other people more than loving ourselves. And day after day, failure after failure, we see first hand the results of sin: sin equals frustration, disappointment and fear. And worst of all, it equals eternal death.
But where we failed, our God did not. In pure undeserved love, God came to this earth to “take up our infirmities and sorrows.” (Isaiah 53:4) Jesus came to bear in his own body all our sins, failures and frustrations. He came to save us from ourselves. Jesus died on the cross and completely paid our debt of sin. Jesus suffered our punishment for us. And when he rose from the dead, he proved that he was not a failure. His mission of salvation was a success.
If God loved you enough to suffer your hell and is powerful enough to save you from death, won’t he also help you in all the other frustrations, difficulties and problems you face? “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all – how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things” (Romans 8:32). God promised to guard and protect his chosen people, the Israelites. Joshua knew that God would not leave them. And God told Joshua “Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” God’s promise strengthened Joshua’s trust in God and allowed him to go out and face his challenges with courage and strength.
The same is true for you. Even if you are leaving your house for the first time or closing your eyes for the last time – the Lord your God will be with you. Even if you are fighting to keep your family together or struggling to tear yourself away from a certain sin – the Lord your God will be with you. And remember this promise as you face the challenge of sharing your faith. You have the powerful message of Jesus Christ to share with the world. And you have the command of God to go and do this! Will you face rejection? Will you meet opposition? Yes, but with God’s help you can be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified, do no be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you.”
Pastor Zimpelmann
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