The Warrior and the Servant

Joshua 1

 1 After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: 2“Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. 3 I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. 4 Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. 5 No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. 6 Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.

7 “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 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.

Reflection:

Throughout Holy Scripture, we find God unveiling another wonderful side of his character and personality as we indulge in the story lines and outcomes of our magnificent God.

Here we have a warrior with the skills of a great general at war, reflecting on things in his past which limited his foresight in things to come. As “servant warriors”, God does not call us to be feeble muppets, but rather, a skilled and purposed soldier who knows how “not” to fumble the ball. We must be focused and driven by call, rather then by ambition or fear, and learn how to carry a sword, with the heart also to serve.

All acts of ministry (service) must be centered in Christ, and built on his Word. For success comes to those who can keep their eyes on the ball, maintaining their lips by spreading the Good News, and managing God’s gifts by the architectural design of his divine blueprint (the Word).