It’s time: Put your big boy britches on!

In Joshua Chapter 1 it says, “After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, it came to pass that the Lord spoke to Joshua, saying: “Moses My servant is dead….” How many feel that way right now? Moses was not merely a man but a ministry. He was a vessel, used by God – a man that was broken and rebuilt. So many of us feel that way about our country right now – we built something, a nation under God, and now that…the idea…the plan is dead. 

GOD DIDN’T STOP THERE. He went on to say to Joseph, “…Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them—the children of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses…” 

God’s all, “Look, he’s dead but I’m not! You’re fretting over a person, a thing, an idea. I’M STILL HERE. I’M THE THING, THE PERSON, THE IDEA. Focus! Put your big boy pants on because it’s time to keep on with the plan I already gave you.”

That needs to speak to our hearts, today – we have the same job today that we had yesterday, last week, last year. You think missionaries in other countries stop their objective when they realize the government they’re in promotes idol worship and slavery? No! They become more adamant! They become so desperate to rid themselves, their flock, their country of the sin that they humbly devour God and His word like ravenous dogs. Are you sitting there like a bump on a log or are you even hungrier for God and to do His works more today than ever before?!

God goes on to assure Joseph that he carries the SAME PROMISES that He had given to Moses,”…No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and of good courage…that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you;” Stick to the game plan! One of the greatest attributes a Christian can have is steadfastness. Do you have it? Of course you do! 

God is careful to remind Joseph and us, “…do not turn from it (His law) to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.” Don’t try and make your life easier by going along with the world. Don’t try and explain away what God “really” meant in His word. It’s plain. It’s clear to all that are filled with His Holy Spirit and it is a right, good, and perfect word. We need not add to it nor subtract from it.

He instructs, “…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.” He says it clearly here – mediate (to calm and empty the mind in order to concentrate on one specific thing) on His word so that you will naturally observe It! It will be second nature for you to do what His word says if you’re daily meditating on it!

(Sidebar: For those of you thinking, “…but New Covenant! Jesus!” Remember this: Christ said, ““Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.”)

“For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” THIS is how you do it. THIS is how you find prosperity, peace, success – to simply follow His word! And, then again, He reminds, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:1-9 NKJV)

I assure you that when the pilgrims set out to start new lives unhindered by their government and religious chains, to have a real relationship with God through His word alone, they didn’t stop their plight halfway through. The Israelites, even through their grumbling, didn’t pitch permanent tents in the dessert though many began worshiping golden idols in the middle of a pilgrimage. We might pause to remind ourselves, however, that losing their focus on who would bring them out and looking at each other, their situation, and “stuff” caused them to be in that desert an entire generation longer than they should’ve been! Oh, God, help us not to pitch a tent in the desert but to run through that sucker on ATVs!

Finally, when Christ himself appeared to have died, to have left this world, His followers got three days. They got THREE days to feel sorry for themselves, to mourn, to question, and to worry. BUT THEN CHRIST GOT UP! 

If you are followers of Christ then hear this: 

YOU HAVE HAD YOUR THREE DAYS! NOW GET UP!!

Life won’t get easier. It’ll be hard and messy! Life didn’t get easier for the apostles! God didn’t promise easy! He promised life eternal, love, peace, and so much more than we could ever imagine…IF WE WOULD FOLLOW HIM! 

It’s money where your mouth is time, ladies and gentlemen. It’s time to love them like He loved us when we all are so undeserving.

It’s time for us to be filled with the Holy Spirit, to change the world, starting at home so that our children will change the world. 

It’s time to flip this planet on its axis like Christ did. Christ said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and GREATER a works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. (John 14:12 NKJV)”

So…what greater works are you striving for? Or, are you content sitting on the sidelines?

photo credit: Baptist Courier