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Wednesday, May 2nd, 2007

Today's Focus Question: What does this passage teach you about God's call?
Today's Prayer Focus: Remembrance of strength and courage.
Today's Scripture: Joshua 1:1-9 (NRSV)

After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' assistant, saying, "My servant Moses is dead. Now proceed to cross the Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the Israelites. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, as I promised to Moses. From the wilderness and the Lebanon as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, to the Great Sea in the west shall be your territory. No one shall be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous; for you shall put this people in possession of the land that I swore to their ancestors to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to act in accordance with all the law that my servant Moses commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, so that you may be successful wherever you go. This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth; you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to act in accordance with all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall be successful. I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."

The first image that comes to my mind when I read this message is the moment when Joshua found out from God that he will be the one taking over for Moses. I think about how daunting that message is to a young man like Joshua.

This passage reminds me of my own call to ministry. It was something that I didn't really "struggle" with. But it was something that I had to work through. I was scared at first of what it might involve. The Ministry of God! That is a daunting task.

I can remember numerous pastor friends of my dad came to my house and try to make sure that I knew exactly what I was getting myself into. The stories that they told, the way their lives are, I saw how challenging accepting God's call is.

However, what I realized and what I have depended on is that together with God's call is the promise of strength and courage. "Be strong and courageous, ... for I will be with you." That is the message that I carry.

I think God wants me to be strong and courageous, no matter what obstacle I may come to.

Jimmy's Prayer: Oh Lord, help me remember your promise of strength and courage, so that I can better do your work. Amen.