New Approach
Last week, I was thinking about my blog and what I wanted to capture in writing. As I have stated before, I hope that people will be encouraged and challenged from what I write here, but the main reason I am blogging is to have a place to capture my thoughts and a place to help me become a better writer.
As I was thinking about what I wanted to write, I thought that I would simply record what I have been learning in my quiet times recently. I am deciding to do this for two reasons.
One, I believe that journaling is a great way to capture thoughts and to help me process what God is trying to teach me.
Since I am the type of person who will start strong on a project but have the tendency to finish weak, I wanted to do something that would continually challenge me to journal regularly. Placing my thoughts from my journal onto my blog will help me do just that.
The second reason I am doing this is because many people struggle with having a personal time with God. So, I want to give a glimpse of what my time with the Lord is like so that others will be encouraged and challenged in their time with the Lord. Trust me…you will be more encouraged, than challenged. 🙂
So here it is…
Joshua: Introduction
I have decided that I am going to study the book of Joshua over the next month or two. The main reason for choosing this book is because I have been studying a lot in the New Testament lately and I wanted to make sure that I didn’t neglect the rich heritage and depth of the Old Testament.
In addition, I wanted to choose a book that taught me what it is like to be a godly leader. Now, there are many books, and characters, in the Old Testament that will help anyone learn what a godly leader looks like, but Joshua stands out to me for many reasons.
One, Joshua took over the leadership helm from one of the most gifted and revered leaders that Israel ever had, Moses. Think about how difficult that would have been. Everyone comparing you to Moses. People love Moses so much, will they love you the same? Will people treat you with the same respect that they did Moses? Will the people finally call it quits and say that they are not going any further, Promised Land or no Promised Land? This would have been a difficult season for any leader.
Two, God commands Joshua, multiple times, to be strong and courageous. Why? Why did God need to remind him so much to be strong and courageous? I think it is because the Lord would have him on an unbelievable journey and would use him in some incredible ways, but he had to be willing to make the difficult decisions and to trust God no matter the circumstance.
Three, Joshua leads a group of whiners and complainers into what God had promised; a land that was beyond what the people could ask or imagine. To lead any group into God’s best is amazing, but to be able to lead a group that was focused on complaining more than obeying…that is a unique situation for any leader.
So, those are just a few of the reasons I have chosen to study Joshua. I hope you will journey down this path with me. Begin studying the book of Joshua as well and let’s learn from one another.
What are you currently studying in God’s Word?
