TITLE: Joshua, Learning how to fight By Jenny Smith 01/04/05 |
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The Book of Joshua promises to be a book of
hard fought battles. Joshua is a book for the
soldiers of Christ. A book for those who
want to win…God’s way! It will be those of
us that make the commitment to be faithful, who
will be victorious. Those who are daring
enough to follow the strategy within Joshua
will win. We have God’s assurance on that!
Those who don’t – don’t.
The question is – “Are you willing to pick
up your shield and sword and fight for what
God has promised you?”
If so, then …
Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid,
nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is
with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9
Joshua…what a study awaits us! Are you ready to learn how to fight for your life and the lives of your families and friends? That is what this study is about, fighting and winning! You’ll notice that each day there is a section called “A faith that fights”. This will be what we meditate on each week so that it will become a part of our belief system. In order for our faith to fight we have to be able to wield our swords (the Word of God) and have a shield (what we believe) that will protect us.
You will also find a place to list your biggest battle of the week, although some may take longer than a week to win. List it, and start fighting that area. Don’t worry…you’ll have examples to follow. But only you can fight for your families, your friends, and even your life. That is the crux of the matter, will you fight or not? The battle is raging, you’re in it, but are you winning? Do you want to?
Day 1
For the book of Joshua to really be a help to us, we have got to know that what we are learning is not just interesting history, but truth for our day-to-day lives. One way we are going to accomplish that is by looking at the principles in Joshua and finding the same principles in the New Testament. Today read chapter one and look for repeating words or ideas. List them below:
Are any of these familiar to you from other parts of the Bible? Do they bring to mind any New Testament verses?
Look these verses up and see if they match what you noticed in the chapter:
Psalms 1:2-3
1st Timothy 4:12-16
Philippians 4:8-9
Hebrews 13:5
If we had to write the most important concept (command) that God gives Joshua (and us), what would it be?
Be strong and very courageous; meditate on My word day and night!
The word ‘meditate’ in the Hebrew is hagah. It means to “growl”, “mutter”, or “groan”. It is a word that to me means, talk to yourself. Keep the Word of God on your mind by repeating it either as a growl, a mutter or a groan, depending on the situation!
A faith that fights
Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall mediate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Joshua 1:7-8
Biggest Battle
This week, one of your biggest battles will be making the time to learn to fight. Waiting until the morning of Sunday is not going to be enough. Write the verse above on a piece of paper, or an index card, and carry it with you all week. Be creative; some of you forward cute sayings to people. Forward this one to as many people as you can, including me! ([email protected])
Read it when you’re waiting, when you get up, and when you go to bed. Put it on your bathroom mirror. Depending on whether you are male or female, the bathroom mirror could cause you to see it ALOT! Put it as a screen saver on your computer. Do whatever it takes in order to start getting the promise and the requirements down into your heart and head!
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