Field Of Dreams: Two Winners– #2 Joshua
When Moses turned again into the camp, his assistant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, would not depart from the tent.
Exodus 33:11 (ESV)
As the Lord had commanded Moses His servant, so Moses commanded Joshua, and so Joshua did. He left nothing undone of all that the Lord had commanded Moses.
Joshua 11:15 (NKJV)
Now therefore, fear the Lord, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord! And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
Joshua 24:14-15 (NKJV)
Joshua was a servant-turned-leader. This faithful First Assistant to Moses was appointed by God to succeed him: to lead God’s people across the Jordan of Israel into the Promised Land (and into wars).
What qualities led to this appointment? Through trials and tests, he proved himself as…
Loyal, wise, brave, humble, and Spirit-led. His character ordained his destiny.*
As the Lord’s military commander, he was commissioned to take possession of the Promised Land, a.k.a. Canaan. It was an established land, with nations, big cities, fierce armies, and REAL GIANTS.
Joshua and Caleb were the last two men standing of the old generation--chosen to lead the new generation… into victory!
Judging by God's repeated Commandments, assurances, and reassurances, the campaign scared him.
'Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go' (Joshua 1:9).**
After a series of conflicts and wars, the children of Israel settled down in the land “flowing with milk and honey.”
But it was also flowing with idols. Although nations had been conquered and cleared, a remnant remained and tempted the Jews--by lusts of the flesh and idolatry.
Therefore, Joshua issued a challenge: 'Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve:'
Would it be false gods or the one true God?
Actors, models, and talent for Christ: Joshua's question is your commission. Joshua's challenge is your challenge, too:
Countless people face the same decision. Why? 'The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers' (2 Corinthians 4:4).
But more than unbelievers are blinded, 'For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect' (Mark 13:22).
As God did back then, so God does today: An army of light has been commissioned to shine in the land of entertainment, a land of wondrous dreams and promises…
With one unmistakable difference: Jesus revised the terms of engagement.
Field Of Dreams: Two Winners– #2 Joshua (Part 18)
* Character analysis on Joshua: http://www.hope-in-jesus.com/Teachings/CharacterAnalysis/joshua.htm; http://www.gotquestions.org/life-Joshua.html
** God told Joshua to 'Be strong and courageous' seven times: Deuteronomy 31:6,7,23; Joshua 1:6,7,9,18.
NOTE: This is a 2023 update of a 2013 Carey Lewis Devotion. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players. Mostly true. But you're not merely players. You are messengers and ambassadors for the King of kings.