Somehow after my class today, my heart still digesting the new truth that I've been learning and I thought I should write it down for you so both you and I will walk this course of life together and learning to trust Him more. As most of you have known, I'm currently a student in SBS (school of Biblical study) and I'm now in my second semester of school and also in Old Testament phase. We just finished the Pentateuch (the first five books) and this week, we're doing Joshua...well, the learning process has been tremendously good but I want to specially draw your attention to this week's learning journey:
Joshua; as many of us know or heard it, this book talked about how God's commissioning Joshua to take Moses' place in leading the 3 million (or so) people into the Promised Land, miracles at Jordan river, Jericho and etc. I've been believing that this is a good book when I feel discouraged or when I want to tell a story to the little ones but little did I know that this book speaks beyond that.
Through this book, we're given the change to look in depth who are the 'first hearers/ readers (the people at that time)' their situation and Joshua's.
'Be strong and courageous'- a nice phrase that I used to quote whenever I struggled through circumstances. Hence, this is an encouragement and assurance Joshua needed to hear from God! Simply because of fear, uncertainty of how to lead this massive group of people and having Moses no longer with him...I bet Joshua isn't in any good shape of faith though he's a great warrior BUT this book also taking about God's faithfulness, so faithful that He fought for them, so faithful that Joshua continued to devote himself to trust God even when God gave out non-military strategies in bringing down the enemies.
Seeing God's heart and seeing Joshua's trust, am challenged to check my heart too. Do I truly trust God? Do I choose to love Him alone? Do I fully give myself just to have Him alone in my life and etc...
Friends, I don't know which stage of life you're in? Whether you're studying, working, waiting, hoping and etc, I think the question is how much do you and I want to trust or hope even when things don't go our ways, even when things uncomfortable...how much? How much do we trust? Do we see/ understand first then trust/ obey or do we obey first then understand?
These are the questions that were asked this morning in class:
1)What is the will of God for you?
2)Do you need courage to do it?
3)What are your challenges/ concerns in doing it?
And do I have good answer for these? Yes, definitely yes...but as I processed through, I learnt that my fear and doubt are much bigger than my trust in Him. And today, am personally challenged with these questions 'do I want to hold on to Him? Do I want to continue to fight like Joshua? Do I want to step forward without knowing whether changes will take place? Or do I only step forward when I have the formulas, ideas and understanding?'
Friends, as you and I journey this path, I pray we'll continue to keep our eyes on Him, I know it won't be easy but it's better than being lost without Him. I pray as we display His light and bringing changes, we will see Him too. And we'll learn to see that we aren't fighting alone but with the Master of the universe- the One who knows us better.
To sum up: What rings continually in my thought are:
- Communion/ fellowship with God comes power.
- I'm not fighting alone.
- He's faithful and will continue to stay faithful.
