Fearless Faithful Followers of Jesus Christ

 

By:  Dale Weckbacher

 

Text:  Joshua 11:1-23

 

Joshua 11:23

So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the Lord had spoken to Moses. And Joshua gave it for an inheritance to Israel according to their tribal allotments. And the land had rest from war.

(ESV)

 

The Church has a simple and clearly stated mission, spread the news of the Gospel message about, the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ to provide forgiveness from sin and making disciples or other followers of Jesus Christ (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20).  While this message seems simple and straight forward, it is destructive to Satan and will meet with opposition.  Before leading Israel into the Promised Land, God reminded Joshua to be strong and courageous (Joshua 1:9).  It would behoove the Church to learn a lesson from Joshua and his courage in leading Israel as they defeated opposition to their occupying the land God promised to them during these chaotic times.  Israel’s defeat of the attack from the kings of the northern nations occupying the Promised Land provides lessons on how the Church can remain on its mission during these chaotic times. 

 

Joshua 11:1-23 teaches us to,

 

1)      Follow God’s Word (Joshua 11:1-6) – Hearing the word of the victories of Israel against the southern kings, Jabin, king of Hazor forms a coalition of kings to battle Israel (Joshua 10:29-11:3).  This was a massive coalition numbering like the sand on the seashore with many horses and chariots.  God’s Word to Joshua was to not fear because God would deliver the enemy to Israel with the army of Israel hamstringing the horses and burning the chariots of the enemy (Joshua 11:6).  While the passage does not specifically say Joshua sought the Lord first, the fact the Lord spoke to Joshua indicates Joshua was conversing with the Lord.  While the massive army assembled against Israel seemed daunting, we see Joshua learning once again from the defeat at Ai and inquiring of the Lord before going into battle.  The early Church turned its world upside down (Acts 17:6) by focusing on its mission of spreading the Gospel message and making disciples (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20).  The only Scripture these early believers had were the Old Testament scriptures, letters from the Apostles that were circulated through the Churches, and the eyewitness accounts of those that had been with Jesus.   The Church today has no excuse for it has the completed canon of scripture, conveniently available in book form and digitally on our devices.  The challenge for believers is will they follow the instructions contained in the Word of God so easily available.

2)      Fearlessly confronting the enemy (Joshua 11:7-9) – Joshua obeys the instruction of the Lord not to be afraid and comes quickly upon the enemy assembled at the waters of Merom.  True to His Word God empowers Israel to defeat the massive army amassed against them, including the hamstringing of the enemy’s horses, and burning their chariots.  Ephesians 6:12 reminds the Church that its enemy is not a flesh and blood enemy but a powerful spiritual enemy requiring the spiritual armor of God (Ephesians 6:13-17).  Using the implements of the armor of God means no weapon formed against the Church will prosper (2 Corinthians 10:4).  Covid19 and increasing violence are new challenges for the Church in the United States that threaten to take the Church off its missional focus of spreading the Gospel and making disciples.  The Church must like the early church remain focused on its mission and not operate in fear. 

3)      Faithfulness to God (Joshua 11:10-23) – Five times in Joshua 11, scripture says Joshua did as the Lord had commanded Moses.  Joshua had spent his 40 years in the wilderness being taught by Moses and now when in a crisis, remains faithful to the instructions from the Lord passed down to him by Moses.  With the full canon of Scripture available to it, the Church has no excuse for not remaining faithful to God. 

 

In the unprecedented time in which we live, the Church has an opportunity to be a light of hope to a fearful world in crisis.  However, to do this the Church must be faithful followers of Jesus Christ and His Word.  Becoming a faithful follower of Jesus Christ begins with making a profession of faith believing that Jesus died, was buried, and rose from the dead (Romans 10:9-10).  If you are reading this post and have not made a profession of faith in Jesus as savior, I encourage you to do so now by praying with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

Those that just prayed have taken the first step towards becoming a faithful follower of Jesus Christ.  I now encourage you to find a Church or Bible study teaching the Bible so you can gain an understanding of God’s Word.  I also encourage those that just prayed to study the Bible themselves.  I also encourage you to make your profession of faith public by commenting to this post, calling a friend who is a believer, or sharing this post with someone letting them know about your profession of faith, encouraging them to become a fearless, faithful, follower of Jesus Christ.  May God bless everyone reading this post.