[343 words]
“Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. Only 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” (Joshua 1:6-8).
The scripture that begins this article is a portion of the Lord’s charge to Joshua, the successor of Moses. The basic principles in these words of admonition are needed today. These words of instruction contained God’s infallible rule for prosperity and success in the service of God. One can imagine the thoughts and emotions that must have stirred the soul of Joshua. Here he stands at the banks of the Jordan, Moses is dead, and he must assume the position as leader of the nation.
Here are four lessons from Joshua:
Spirituality: The warfare in which the church is engaged in is a spiritual conflict, and the carnally minded are not prepared.
Courage: God commanded Joshua to be “very courageous.” The Lord’s cause needs men who speak God’s Word with Love.
Cooperation: Christians are always “workers together with God.” We must depend on Him and always keep His work first.
Responsibility: The church today needs a greater feeling of responsibility, and we can achieve this by knowing that we are responsible.
Thousands are lost, and we must spread the message of the Gospel. We have so much work to do and our community, friends, family, and loved ones need to see us pointing them to Jesus. What we must do is decide that we will see to this great need.
Jonathan Burns
Findlay church of Christ
Sparta, TN