Failure is never fun! And it is not what we are planning on either. No one sets out in the morning saying, “How can I fail today?” “What problem can I run away from now?” And Israel, Moses reminds us, is no different. But they let their fears and anxieties win. It took a major resetting of priorities for them to succeed. Can we do any better?
The story in Deuteronomy is aimed at people who are trying new things.
Read More Future, failure, courage, forgivenessJoshua has watched Moses lead for 40 years. He has been an eyewitness to how Moses would meet with God. He has been an eyewitness to how Moses would seek God and trust in God. He has seen how the Lord provides. Now it is his turn to lead the people.
These short instructions say so much.
Read More word, confidence, courageFear and trepidation walk closely behind every person called to a new work for God, much of it due to a concern about how what we hope to give to God will be received, and perceived, by others. The people of Israel were poor followers, so much so that they pushed their former leader Moses to the edge of despair. Yet, God had chosen them and promised them a land where they would prosper and where eventually they would bring forth the promised Saviour; and God would deliver on this promise.
Read More remember, courage, storyThere it is again. That amazing statement of God to the people of Israel – not to be afraid. The enemy armies have gathered and Joshua and his armies again must stand against a force that far outnumbers them. Their anxiety and fears are to be expected so once again God says to Joshua, “Do not be afraid of them; I have given them into your hands. Not one of them will be able to withstand you.”
Read More faith, courage, adventureFinally the wars were coming to an end and Joshua is gradually distributing the land to the various tribes so that they can settle down. A familiar name comes up again in this story – the name of Caleb. Caleb had been with the people of Israel when they left Egypt. He was present when God divided the waters of the Red Sea. He was one of the twelve spies who had been sent out to survey the land and one of the only two who stood with Joshua in their recommendation to press on into the promised land with the profound belief that God was with them.
Read More fear, faith, discipleship, courage, wildernessHave you ever been in the place where Gideon was where everything looks bleak? The Israelites were sorely oppressed. When Gideon experiences a miraculous event, he is initially deeply cynical. There are many cynical people in our society who will not believe any promises of something good happening and most of us are far from being oppressed to the point of starvation. How would you respond if someone you did not know came and called you a “strong warrior”? Would you respond with a smart response?
Read More courage, cynicism, callHere’s where it gets hard to identify with Ruth. She abandons all fear, steps out in faith and places herself in a position of complete vulnerability. Let’s admit it: that sounds like a crazy idea.
Ruth has already left her country, her family and her people and has risked being raped by going alone into fields to pick up leftover grain (2:8-9, 22-23). The ancient world was not kind to women; just by being a foreigner and a widow, she was at risk.
Read More vulnerability, trust, faith, humility, courageDo you ever wish that God would talk out loud to you? You’d be sitting in a room all by yourself, and suddenly God would speak and give you the answer to some burning issue in your life.
Samuel had finished his duties of helping old Eli the priest, and was tucked up warm in bed asleep when he was awakened by someone calling his name. Naturally, he thought it was Eli. Who else could it be?
Read More obedience, courage, God’s voiceDavid is here extolling the greatness of God and the spiritual, emotional and physical energy that this gives him. Many years earlier David stood on the field of battle and faced a giant called Goliath. David did not come against Goliath with an army or weapons of war but as a boy with a sling-shot and in the name of the Lord. Before going to the field of battle David went to a small brook and from the brook took five small, smooth stones.
Read More faith, courage, trust
