A series on the story of redemption
The story of Joshua.
(Click on the link below to read the
verses.)
Deuteronomy
31:1-8; Joshua 1:1-9
[Everybody has
a story. Even God has one. His is a story about love and redemption and
faithfulness. In this series we are going to take a closer look at God’s story
through the lives of the people that He touched. How their story became His
story of redemption. And how your story is also a part of it.]
Athletes are frequently paid to endorse products. My
favorite endorsement featured a football player with the nickname of “Mean Joe
Greene”. He was a big, burly defensive lineman for the Pittsburgh
Steelers back in the 70’s.
He did a commercial for Coca Cola where a little boy passed Mean Joe in the stadium tunnel after a game and gave him his bottle of Coke. Mean Joe gulped it down and as the little boy started to walk away he said, “Hey kid, catch”. Then he tossed his jersey to the boy, whose life was changed forever.
Not all endorsements are for products. Israel was
about to enter the Promised Land, but Moses was old and would not lead them
across the Jordan River. He passed the baton of his leadership to Joshua by
endorsing him.
First, Moses spoke “to all the people of Israel”, telling them that the Lord would “cross over ahead of you”. Like a general
going into battle, he would defeat their enemies and take the land.
Then, Moses introduced Joshua as the leader who “will lead you across the river” and gave
this endorsement in Deuteronomy.
7 Then Moses called for Joshua, and as all Israel
watched, he said to him, “Be strong and courageous! For you will lead these
people into the land that the Lord swore to their ancestors he would
give them. You are the one who will divide it among them as their grants of
land. NLT
After Moses died, the Lord spoke directly to Joshua.
He promised Joshua that He would give Israel the land; that no one would be
able to stand against him; that the Lord would never leave him nor forsake him.
Then the Lord instructed Joshua to study his Law; meditate on it; and “do everything written in it”.
Finally, as if that wasn’t enough, the Lord gave
this promise to Joshua.
9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous.
Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your
God will be with you wherever you go.” NIV
If Joshua had any insecurities or doubts about his
ability to lead or the Lord’s faithfulness, the Lord’s words would certainly give
him the faith and courage to persevere through the adversity that was ahead of
him.
Despite our lack of faith or courage at times, the
Lord’s plan of redemption moves forward. His promise to love, forgive and never
leave us is still true today. And because of that, like Joshua, we can be
strong and courageous.
It’s kind of like having Mean Joe Greene say, “Hey
kid, catch”, and throwing us his jersey. Our life will be changed forever.
Copyright
www.lifelinebasketball.blogspot.com
The link below will show you the Mean Joe Greene commercial.
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