Bibledoorajar: Commenting on the Future

After surveying the Promised Land from a distance Moses returned to the people and made some observations. He revealed that the Lord had told him he was no longer able to lead the people and that he would also not be going into the Land with them. I am sure everyone immediately started murmuring among themselves. Who would be leading them? Many probably immediately thought Joshua, right? He would be the one to protect them and lead them over the Jordan. Moses told them they were right but only in part. Joshua would cross over ahead of them but behind their primary leader. God Himself would be their commander in chief and He would be out in front of them. They were to trust this Leader to do just what He had done for them before. He would destroy the nations who were enemies and deliver the new start land to the people. If they doubted, they could remember what happened to Sihon and Og along the way. But then Moses said an interesting thing. They were to be strong and courageous and were not to be afraid or terrified of the enemies that God Himself was going to take care. What the people had to understand was that they were going to be involved in the fight along the way. They would have a leader who would not leave them or forsake them but they were still going to be in the fight. Moses even counseled that Joshua, the bravest among them, would also have to be courageous. Moses said this courage was a must because the land was their inheritance. They were supposed to reframe their fears in this way to help them offset feeling forsaken or feeling discouraged as they took on the unknown.

Years later, Jesus sent out 72 of the disciples who followed Him and the men the Word later describes as apostles. He spoke to the 72 and gave them some guidelines that would help them to not feel forsaken or discouraged. When they returned to Him with their report the Word says that Jesus was full of joy through the Holy Spirit and He praised God because of what had happened---something that the Father was pleased to do. (See Luke 10). In the face of possible rejection or feelings of discouragement, the Commander-in-Chief was pleased to lead the 72. Baseline report: The Spirit of Truth had led 72 men to sow seed about life in Jesus with success and their fears and tribulations were reframed with eternity in mind. Thank you Holy God for still making Him known in truth and reframing our fears so that our witness in the world gives Him and You joy.