SCRIPTURE
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.””
Joshua 1:9 NIV
OBSERVATION
Joshua was chosen by God to lead the Israelites into the promised land because of His unswerving Faith. Two things happened before they possessed the land. Both things involved Trusting God. The Israelites had experienced God parting the waters at the Red Sea in order for them to cross over on dry land—and now—God would again look for their Trust to cross the Jordan River at the Spring Flood Stage. This increased its width from the normal hundred feet wide to a mile wide. This was scary. The Priests were to step in first. As soon as the Priests bearing the Ark put their feet in the river, the water miraculously—stopped flowing. The priests stood in the midst of the river bed on dry ground as the whole nation of Israel passed by. Once they had all crossed over and the priests walked to the shore—the flow of the river resumed.
The second test of faith came as the nation paused after crossing the river for all the men to submit to the painful surgery of circumcision. Israel was camped in enemy territory just a few miles from Jericho. And now—they were going to temporarily disable every male in the nation, including all of the soldiers in their army. How vulnerable do you think they felt? God wanted them to understand their Faith must be in Him alone and nothing else. They passed every test with flying colors and clearly God brought them unprecedented success in their first Victory by bringing the seemingly impenetrable walls of Jericho down—not by any military maneuver, but by walking around it, blowing a shofar, then shouting! Only, God!
God’s ways are clearly not our ways.
APPLICATION
Have you counted the Cost to Following Jesus?
What is HE asking you to Trust Him for?
What is HE asking you to step out in Faith and accomplish for His Kingdom?
Jesus said, “Count the Cost” (Luke 14:27-33)
In the book of Luke Jesus made it clear that when it comes to personal discipleship, HE is more interested in quality than quantity. In the manner of saving lost souls, HE wants His house to be filled (Luke 14:23);
but when it comes to personal discipleship
HE wants only those who are willing to pay the price.
A disciple is a disciplined follower who trusts, obeys, and follows.
One who eats, sleeps, lives, and absorbs the behaviors of his Rabbi. They follow SO closely that it is said, “the disciple should be covered in the dust of the Rabbi’s sandal’s”
Jesus said to be His Disciple—there will be a Cost. So consider it carefully. Jesus urges us to not take discipleship lightly.
What does it mean to “Carry the Cross”? It means daily identification with Christ in shame, suffering, and surrender to God’s will. It means death to self, to our own plans and ambitions, and a willingness to serve Christ as He directs (John 12:23-28). It can also mean physical torture, and physical death for our faith in Jesus. “Carry the Cross” symbolizes our surrender and willingness to GO whenever and wherever Jesus sends us. Simply put—Our life is not our own (1 Corinthians 6:20).
Jesus gave three parables to explain why HE makes such costly demands on His disciples; the man building the tower, the king fighting a war, and the salt losing its flavor. There is a beautiful illustration from Warren Wiersbe’s commentary on these three parables. Although Jesus clearly tells us that we are to count the cost before becoming His Disciple, in these three parables it is indicated that Jesus also must count the cost to determine whether we are the kind of material HE can use to “build His Church” and “Battle the Enemy”. Jesus cannot get the work done with halfhearted followers who are unwilling to pay the price. Who will be willing to Follow Jesus as His disciple—all the way—even to the Cross. Jesus has not asked our willingness for anything HE Himself has not freely given.
How many missionaries do we know who are currently paying the price? How many godly men and women have counted the cost and continue to
do so everyday. God has blessed them and used them powerfully to build His Kingdom. God is always looking for those willing to be used to build His Kingdom.
“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world..” (Matthew 24:14)
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore Go and make disciples of all nations..” (Matthew 28:18-19 NIV)
“Tina, Have I not commanded you,
[insert your name], Have I not commanded you,
Be strong and courageous. Do Not be afraid OR discouraged. REMEMBER—
The LORD Your God WILL Be WITH You WHEREVER—you—GO.”
PRAYER
Lord Jesus,
I pray I am of some value to You. I am weak and need to hear this verse Today to Be Strong and Courageous. To not Be Afraid or Discouraged. And to Remember that the God of Heaven’s Armies is With me wherever I Go. There are people here in Santa Clarita who desperately need to hear Your Good News. Set me on fire and loosen the chains that bind me to be free to Go and do Your Will. By Your Power and Authority Nothing is Impossible. Here I am Lord Jesus. Send Me. In Jesus Name, amen.
Tina L Kudelka