Welcome to "Tuesday Morning"—committed to the task of encouraging the hearts of Christians everywhere.

 

Have you ever noticed advertisements promoting good health never picture an over-weight, tired-looking, unkempt adult with thinning hair as their poster-person? Instead, they present a picture of young, well-tanned, attractive male or female with not an ounce of fat visible anywhere. The professional model seems to say to an admiring public, "Follow me to the gym. We'll get you physically fit in a matter of days." The ad suggests that a well-sculptured body can be yours in a short time by working out 20 minutes a day, 3 days a week—with their special equipment, of course. I hate the ads. I want someone to say that strength doesn't have to be physical to be strength.

 

The Bible is full of stories about people who were strong in ways besides being physical. Joshua was one of them. The son of Nun, Joshua was an aide to Moses. He was born during the Egyptian captivity and was raised an Ephraimite—which would later become the largest and most militaristic of the twelve tribes. He accompanied Moses part way up Mt. Sinai when Moses received the Ten Commandments from God. He watched his mentor as God led the Children of Israel from one encampment to the next. Joshua may have led the battle against the Amalekites in Rephidim soon after the exodus from Egypt. At the death of Moses, Joshua accepted the role as the leader of the nation.

 

The title of this week's epistle is "Be Strong," the challenge God laid out for Joshua following the death of Moses. It is attached. Continue reading whenever you are ready. Then have a very strong week.

 

Tom Barnard

A Senior Encourager

 

P.S. Are you losing the enthusiasm you once had for your ministry? Do you sense a drop in motivation within your ministry team? In my new book, E-Couragement: Meditations for Leaders, you will gain insights on motivation from Chapter 7, "Staying Motivated." If your Christian bookstore hasn't ordered the book yet, check Amazon.com for a great price. Look it up under the book title. If you are pastoring a multiple-staff church, consider buying a copy for each of your staff members. They will thank you. And I will, too.

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“Be Strong”

Tom Barnard

 

oses was dead. God buried him in a remote grave near Mt. Nebo (in today’s Jordan). The Children of Israel were poised outside Canaan, waiting…waiting…waiting. Their parents had been here a generation earlier, but because of their disobedience in failing to go forward as God had commanded, they were turned away and wandered in the desert until the generation of disobedient adults had died. Joshua and Caleb remained, along with a new population of young Hebrews—preparing again to enter Canaan.

 

But Joshua and Caleb were old men this time around. Their having been undercover agents to spy out Canaan under the guidance of Moses was a distant memory. Joshua needed help. And he needed it immediately. Deuteronomy 34:9 reads, “Now Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid hands on him. So the Israelites listened to him (Joshua) and did what the Lord had commanded Moses.” The Lord said to Joshua, “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them” (Joshua 1:2). Three times he said to Joshua, “Be strong and courageous.” In verse 9 he added,

 

“Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

 

Try to put yourself in Joshua’s sandals. Most of his adult life had been spent living in the wilderness. There were some high points in his life, and no doubt many low points. One thing he was not: he was not a professional soldier. His parents were slaves. His grand-parents were slaves. The Children of Israel had limited weapons. They admired the swords and spears and shields and chariots and horses of their enemies, but by comparison the weapons of the Israelites were primitive.

 

Joshua had every reason to feel insecure. Failures had dogged the Israelites from the day they fled Egypt. His mentor, Moses, was gone. He and Caleb were the only surviving members of the “12” who checked out Canaan years earlier. Their enemies—those war-like nations that possessed the land—had grown stronger, while the men of Israel had grown younger. But God’s commands were clear: “Prepare to advance! I am giving the Land to you!” Uncertainty prevailed, but one fact was certain: God had said, “The Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” That was the only promise that mattered.

 

I think Charles Wesley may have had this picture in mind when he penned the words of this hymn,

 

By thine unerring Spirit led, We shall not in the desert stray;

We shall not full direction need, Nor miss our providential way.

 

Wherever you are in your pilgrimage with God, you can claim the promise from Joshua 1:9. Your most threatening battles may lie ahead of you, but God is greater than your foes. If the Lord has called you to a task, he will stand at your side—even though your adversaries may be appear to be stronger than you are.

 

British novelist Mary Ann Kelty (1789-1873) had helpful insights about the challenges that we face in life.

 

Watch your way then, as a cautious traveler, and don’t be gazing at that mountain or river in the distance and saying, “How shall I ever get over them?” Instead, keep to the present little inch that is before you, and accomplish that in the little moment that belongs to it. The mountain and the river can only be passed in the same way. When you come to them, you will come to the light and strength that belong to them.*

 

For Joshua, there would be Jericho, followed by Ai. The plan was to distribute the Land of Canaan among the 12 tribes of Israel, and then take on the enemy, one tribe at a time. Maybe the “little inch” before you seems more like a mile, but the principle is the same: God will be with you. “Be strong!”

 

    *The Kelty quote is from Daily Strength for Daily Needs, by Mary W. Tileston, p. 284. Reprint by the Billy Graham Association, 1994.