“Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou Me more than these?” John 21:15
Dear Ones:
It was Peter who said to Jesus, “I will lay down my life for Thy sake.” (Jn. 13:37) It was also Peter who denied the Lord three times. And yet, it is to Peter that Jesus, in His gracious dealings with him, will specifically address him after the resurrection: “Do you love Me?” Why did God deal with Peter in this way? It was because Jesus was seeking to save Peter…from himself. It will only be when Peter sees, understands, and grasps, that his “own” strength, and every reliance upon it, is like leaning on a broken reed, that he will look singularly and wholly unto Jesus, to live and serve by Christ’s strength alone. There is not the slightest possibility that Peter will ever become the “apostle to the circumcision (Jews),” and a pillar in the body of Christ, without knowing the reality of the presence and power of the strength of Christ.
In the book of Joshua, we find God’s dealings with Joshua slightly different than with Peter, yet bringing him to the same place in his heart. He writes that “…after the death of Moses, the servant of the Lord, (Joshua 1:1), the Lord spoke these specific words: “Moses My servant is dead; NOW therefore arise, go over this Jordan.” (v.2) There is no doubt that the death of Moses, so prominent and powerful a figure for Joshua, had a great sway over his perception of things. And yet, it is at this time that the Lord would give him a fresh, new, and clear perception of the issues at hand. He will Joshua’s attention away his consideration of Moses, to bring him to that place of singular devotion to, and dependence upon, God alone. This is imperative if he would be strong and courageous, with the “…strength that God supplies through His eternal Son.” How does God do this?
In God’s dealings with Joshua, he will address the issue of time, and the essential of responding in the present moment. NOW is the time…to arise. Secondly, He will speak to him of his mission, to cross the Jordan River, and enter Canaan. The calling becomes even more specific when the Lord says: “…for unto this people shall You divide for an inheritance the land.” (v.6) What is imperative so that Joshua can discharge his responsibilities, and accomplish his mission? Four times in the first chapter of Joshua, the issue of Strength and Courage is addressed, not only as something to consider, but that which essential to Joshua’s walk with God. They are also essential for the success of the massive enterprise. But where do the resources come from? It is in a Psalm of David that we find a clear declaration of the answer: “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Ps. 27:1) The key to David’s life was the same as that of Peter and Joshua. He learned to derive all from Christ by that inward aspiration of faith. David provides us a practical way of doing this in Psalm 16:8. “…I have SET the Lord always before me: because He is at my right hand, I shall NOT be moved.” The key to being strong and courageous, in an overcoming and victorious manner, is abiding in Christ as our life, our strength, and our courage. Fear and dismay do not belong to Him, so they do not belong to us.
Dear Father, open our eyes to see that the cross has delivered us from trusting in anything or anyone other than Thyself, Thy Son, and the Spirit. We thank Thee that Thy strength and courage in Christ are not only sufficient for every need, but “exceeding abundant” towards us by the Spirit. Strengthen us to abide in Thy Son, knowing that He WILL abide in us. We thank and praise Thee in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad