Hero of Faith

What do the old Bible stories mean to you? Most of us have grown up hearing the stories of people like David and Goliath, Jonah and the whale, Daniel and the lion’s den, and Adam and Eve.

Have you pondered the lessons in those stories? Paul said in Romans 15:4, “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.”

Moses told Joshua in Joshua 1:8-9, “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate 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. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

This “law” of God was designed to be a guide to a new pattern of thinking. It would have been natural to be afraid to enter into a land you’ve never been in, because you’ve heard of the giants that lived there, their strong armies, or their fierce and brutal tactics against outsiders. Yet, God called Joshua to step across the Jordan river and go confront the enemy.

One lesson that seems obvious is that Joshua only had God’s word to go on concerning his success. Meanwhile, the world around him was telling him that these foreign people couldn't b beat. Even his own kinsmen said things like “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we.” (Numbers 13:31). We can hear those same voices today all around us. We have to rise above the temptation to believe them, and instead Believe God!

Hebrews 13:5-6, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you. So, we can say with confidence, The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?”

Jesus had to remind His closest followers of that fact as well. “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you…” (John 14:1-2). Joshua’s example of trusting God throughout his conquest of Canaan, should serve as a lesson to us as well. Remember Ephesians 3:20-21, “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”