When the Israelites walked into
the Promised Land, Joshua had a friend Caleb, who along with him trusted God in
taking Promised Land. These were the only 2 people in their generation who
could enter the Promised Land because of their obedience. Now you see in Joshua 14:12, Caleb, who was 85 years
old asks for high and walled cities, which Joshua gave him as granted. Caleb
might be the happiest man in the camp because he had overcome so much and yet
had fields to conquer. “Difficulties are things which show what men are”. In
your life when you see the glory of God come and change your life in the midst
of trials and tribulations, you will trust God all through your life, even in
the hardest times.
Lord never promised his children
that they will have an easy time serving him. “In this world you will have trouble” – John 16:33. We see Paul encouraging Timothy, “Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus” – 2 Timothy 2:3. Caleb knew since he is obedient
to God, God had given him the land, as he had seen it before. Even when you face
diseases, sickness, financial problems or any earthly problems where the whole
world comes around to take you out, if you are faithful to God, you will see
your saviour fighting the battle on your behalf and giving you the victory.
Like Moses, Joshua also gave the
people some last words when he became very old. He called the leaders and then
people and told them not to forget the power and faithfulness of God and told
them to be faithful to God. “Now fear the
Lord and serve him with all faithfulness” – Joshua 24:14. He also warned them about choosing whom to serve,
whether to serve the gods of their forefathers or the true living God, and
confessed he and his family will serve the Lord. “But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord” – Joshua 24:15
It is good to make open
confessions and commit ourselves to a solemn purpose. People of Israel also said
they will serve the Lord. When you confess your weakness and how you overcame
it through the power of Jesus, your followers will also do the same and become
a testimony. If you live a life of hypocrisy, your followers will also come as hypocrites,
and even they will not be faithful to you.
At the age of 110, Joshua died.
His greatest achievement Certificate is seen in Joshua 24:31 – “Israel served
the Lord throughout the lifetime of Joshua”. A leader or a minister should be
faithful to Lord and his people and be a testimony to each of his followers.
You cannot run away from your
sins. Be sure, your sin will find you out. In the midst of a sinful life, it is
better to leave everything and confess it before God and ask for the forgiveness.
Most of the people hate this step – confession. Yes everyone have a problem of confessing
before men, but they take the same attitude before God also. We should understand the
sins which happened through our mind, mouth and even physically, God was a witness.
So confessing before God does not make you a small being, as we are already
small and nothing before the Holy God. But for coming out of the sinful world,
you need to confess the sins before God and believe in faith that for all the
sins you have done, Christ came and took the punishment. Now as you take Christ
in your heart, you are free, but you will sin no more.
Joshua served the Lord and walked
with him. He led a testimonial life so that the people who followed him did as
he did. Today, without our knowledge our children or other people near to us,
follows us and does what we do. It is a choice for every one of us how you want
them to be as their life depends on your holiness and faithfulness. May
Almighty empowers you to lead a holy life in Christ Jesus and be testimony for
him as Joshua was. Amen
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