6Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them.
Joshua: A Leader’s Journey to Strength and Courage
After Moses died, Joshua became the leader of Israel, tasked with bringing the people into the Promised Land. Imagine filling Moses’ shoes—what a challenge! But God didn’t leave Joshua to do it alone. In Joshua 1:6-9, God gave him clear instructions: “Be strong and courageous” (v. 6), “Be strong and very courageous” (v. 7), and again, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened” (v. 9). These weren’t just encouraging words; they were commands to rely on God’s strength for leadership.
So, where would Joshua find this strength? God told him: “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” (v. 8). Thinking deeply about God’s Word was the key to Joshua’s strength and success.
Joshua’s story shows us the importance of obeying and depending on God. Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” By focusing on God’s Word, Joshua found the courage and strength to lead Israel. His journey teaches us that true leadership comes from humility and following God. As Paul says in 1 Corinthians 11:1, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” This reminds us to follow Jesus, the ultimate leader.
As we move forward, let’s remember Joshua’s example. Be strong and courageous. Rely not on your own efforts. Instead, depend on the strength found in God’s Word and presence. By doing so, you’ll find that the best leaders are those who follow Jesus Christ.
The Secret of True Strength
Amidst God’s commands to Joshua, He gave him a crucial directive that was the key to his leadership success: “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful 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” (Joshua 1:8, ESV). This wasn’t just a suggestion; it was the secret to Joshua’s inner strength and courage.
Joshua wasn’t expected to rely on physical might or conventional wisdom. Instead, God pointed him to the transformative power of His Word. Joshua immersed himself in Scripture. He found the strength necessary for the monumental task of leading Israel into the Promised Land. The strength he needed wasn’t about physical prowess. It wasn’t about strategic brilliance. It was about spiritual depth and reliance on God’s promises.
In our journey, like Joshua, we find that the secret to true strength and courage lies in God’s Word. It’s not about self-help techniques or motivational speeches but about allowing Scripture to shape our thoughts and actions. As we meditate on God’s Word, we are equipped to face life’s challenges with confidence and resolve.
This principle resonates with the reformed faith, which emphasizes the sufficiency of Scripture. As we follow this example, we learn that true leadership and strength are rooted in humility and submission to God. Just as Paul urged, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1, ESV), we are reminded that the best leaders are those who follow Jesus, the ultimate Leader. So, be strong and courageous, not by your own might, but through the strength found in God’s Word and presence.
The response of the People
After receiving God’s commands, Joshua stepped up to rally the Israelites, and their response was nothing short of remarkable. They answered him with powerful words of commitment: “All that you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go… Only be strong and courageous” (Joshua 1:16, 18 ESV).
What’s fascinating here is how the people’s response creates this beautiful echo of God’s original words to Joshua. It’s like a divine conversation coming full circle – God speaks courage into Joshua, and the people reflect it right back. They pledged, “Just as we obeyed Moses in all things, so we will obey you. Only may the LORD your God be with you, as he was with Moses!” (Joshua 1:17 ESV).
This moment reveals something profound about leadership in God’s kingdom. The people realized that Joshua’s strength wasn’t based on his abilities. It didn’t depend on his charisma either. His strength came directly from his obedience to God’s commands. Their willingness to follow Joshua was actually a reflection of their faith in God Himself. They understood that courage grounded in faithfulness would be the key to their victory.
By echoing heaven’s mandate back to Joshua, the people created this incredible harmony between divine calling and human support. They weren’t just making empty promises; they were so committed that they added, “Whoever rebels against your commandment and disobeys your words, whatever you command him, shall be put to death. Only be strong and courageous” (Joshua 1:18 ESV). Talk about being all in! The people recognized the divine stamp on Joshua’s leadership and stood ready to follow him whether into battle or peace.
Encounter with the Divine Commander
Here’s a powerful moment that really captures the heart of biblical leadership:
Picture Joshua standing near Jericho, probably sizing up those massive walls, when suddenly he encounters an armed figure. Instead of backing down, Joshua boldly approaches and asks, “Are you for us, or for our adversaries?” (Joshua 5:13 ESV). The response he gets completely flips the script: “No; but I am the commander of the army of the LORD. Now I have come” (Joshua 5:14 ESV).
This wasn’t just any warrior. It was the Angel of the Lord. This figure is widely understood to be Christ Himself appearing before His incarnation. His answer reveals something profound about leadership. It’s not about getting God to sign off on our plans. It’s about aligning ourselves with His divine purpose.
The real question wasn’t whether God was on Joshua’s side – it was whether Joshua was on God’s side. Joshua gets it immediately. In a beautiful act of submission, he falls face-down and asks, “What does my lord say to his servant?” (Joshua 5:14 ESV). This moment perfectly captures key aspects of the reformed faith. It emphasizes our complete dependence on God’s sovereignty. It also highlights the supreme authority of His Word in guiding our lives.
Again we remember what Paul would later write, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1 ESV). The message is clear – true strength in leadership doesn’t come from pushing our own agenda but from humbly submitting to God’s will. When you’re facing your own Jericho walls today, remember Joshua’s example. Real courage isn’t found in having all the answers, but in knowing Who to ask for direction.
Leadership as Followership
Christian leadership isn’t about making God a co-pilot in our plans, but about recognizing Christ as the Captain of the Lord’s host, the one who commands and directs. Joshua’s story clearly indicates that the best leader is first a follower—a follower of Christ. As Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 11:1, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.”
When Joshua encountered the Angel of the Lord, he didn’t assert his own authority. Instead, he fell on his face in worship, asking, “What does my lord say to his servant?” (Joshua 5:14, ESV). This moment captures the essence of true Christian leadership: aligning ourselves with God’s plans rather than expecting Him to endorse ours. Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV) reinforces this by urging us to “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
Joshua’s encounter exemplifies a profound truth central to the reformed faith: true strength comes through submission to God’s sovereignty. As Paul later writes, “For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10, ESV). Leadership in God’s kingdom means following Christ so closely that you lead others to Him. By meditating on His Word and submitting fully to His will, we find the courage and strength needed for any challenge. This is the heart of true Christian leadership—being a follower of Christ first and foremost.
The Power of Godly Obedience
Joshua’s journey illuminates a profound truth about Christian leadership: true strength flows from complete dependence on God. As captured in Psalm 119:105, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path,” leadership finds its foundation in Scripture and submission to divine authority.
The essence of courage in leadership isn’t the absence of fear, but moving forward in faith despite our fears. As Isaiah 41:10 assures us, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” This promise transforms how we approach leadership challenges. We’re not called to drum up courage on our own—God both commands and provides it.
Christian leadership isn’t about drafting God into our plans or asking Jesus to join our army. Instead, it’s about ensuring we’re aligned with His divine strategy and enlisted in His army. As Solomon wisely counsels, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5, ESV). Christ isn’t seeking CEOs to partner with—He’s looking for servants who’ll follow His lead wholeheartedly.
Just as Joshua faced his Jericho, we’ll encounter our own walls. I do not believe this is reading ourselves into the text either. We all have challenges that we face that are often specific to us. The same God who commanded Joshua to be strong and courageous speaks that word over us today. This strength comes through consistent meditation on God’s Word day and night (Joshua 1:8) and complete submission to His lordship. Whether leading in ministry, family life, or any other arena, we must recognize that Christ leads us into every battle we face.
Jesus’s words in Matthew 16:24 set our marching orders clearly: “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” This self-denial and submission to Christ’s lordship becomes the wellspring of true leadership strength. As Paul reminds us in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me”—not through self-reliance, but through complete dependence on God.
When we grasp this beautiful paradox—that the most effective leaders are first and foremost followers of Christ—we begin to understand what it truly means to be strong and courageous in the Lord. As we align ourselves with His plans and follow the true Commander of the Lord’s army, we’ll find ourselves equipped to lead others into their own promised lands, all for His glory and our good (Romans 8:28).
Let’s dive into one of the most fascinating figures in Scripture. Moses gives us an incredible picture of what it means to stand between God and His people. Romans 16 shows us countless heroes of the faith. However, I’d like to focus on Moses. His life remarkably foreshadows Christ’s work as our ultimate Mediator.
Standing in the Gap
That moment in Exodus 20:21? “The people remained at a distance.” Meanwhile, Moses approached the thick darkness where God was. That’s not just a dramatic scene—it’s a profound picture of mediation. Consider this: everyone else hung back in fear. But Moses walked straight into that overwhelming darkness to meet with God. That’s real courage!
This brings to mind Hebrews 4:16. “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace. We may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Moses’s bold approach to God paved the way for what Christ would ultimately accomplish.
When we consider what mediation really means in Scripture, it’s more than just playing referee. It’s about bridging an impossible gap—the gap between a holy God and sinful people. Moses understood this at a deep level. He didn’t just relay messages back and forth; he invested himself fully in both relationships—with God and with the people.
God’s Perfect Preparation
I love how God prepared Moses for this role—it’s a masterclass in divine providence! Born a Hebrew but raised in Pharaoh’s court—talk about being uniquely positioned! Even when Moses’s first attempts at reconciliation flopped (remember that incident with the Egyptian? ), God was working out His perfect plan.
As Stephen points out in Acts 7:25, “He supposed that his brothers would understand that God was giving them salvation by his hand, but they did not understand.” Sounds familiar. How often do we jump ahead of God’s timing, thinking we know best?
Think about the decades Moses spent in Midian. Those weren’t wasted years; they were preparation years. God was teaching him patience, humility, and leadership through shepherding actual sheep before he’d shepherd God’s people. It reminds me of David’s preparation in the fields before becoming king.
Hebrews 3:5-6 puts it perfectly: “Now Moses was faithful in all God’s house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later, but Christ is faithful over God’s house as a son.” Everything in Moses’s life was pointing toward something—or rather, someone—greater.
The Heart of a Defender
Here’s what really grabs me about Moses—his heart for justice. Perhaps this is why in my own life I have a heart for justice. At times, it has even gotten me in trouble. When he saw that Egyptian beating a Hebrew slave, he didn’t just shake his head and walk away. And later, when he spotted those shepherds hassling Jethro’s daughters at the well? He stepped right in. That’s what real mediation looks like—standing up for those who can’t stand up for themselves.
Numbers 12:3 tells us something surprising: “Now the man Moses was very meek, more than all people who were on the face of the earth.” Don’t mistake this for weakness; we’re talking about strength under God’s control. It reminds me of Proverbs 31:8-9: “Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the rights of the poor and needy.”
This combination of strength and meekness made Moses the perfect candidate for mediation. He was strong enough to stand before Pharaoh and demand justice. Yet, he was humble enough to fall on his face before God. That’s the kind of leader God uses—someone who knows both how to fight and how to submit.
Called to Be Peacemakers
You might be wondering—what does all this mean for us today? Jesus puts it plainly in Matthew 5:9: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” We’re called to follow in Moses’s footsteps (and ultimately Christ’s) as people who bring reconciliation.
In our divided world, this calling has never been more crucial. Whether it’s in our families, churches, or communities, we’re called to be people who bridge gaps and heal divisions. But here’s the key: we don’t do this by compromising truth. Real peace never comes at the expense of righteousness.
James 3:17 gives us a beautiful picture of this kind of peacemaking: “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.” That’s our model for biblical mediation.
Christ: Our Perfect Mediator
Here’s where it all comes together beautifully. Everything Moses did pointed to Christ. Hebrews 8:6 puts it perfectly: “But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises.”
Moses entered the darkness to meet with God. Christ entered the darkness of death itself to bring us to God. That’s why 1 Timothy 2:5 declares, “For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”
Consider how Christ’s mediation surpasses Moses’s in every way. Moses could only represent the people before God; Christ actually becomes our representative. Moses brought the law that condemned; Christ brings the grace that saves. Moses’s mediation was temporary; Christ’s is eternal.
Living It Out Today
So what do we do with all this? First, we’ve got to remember that real peace only comes through the gospel. In your family, at church, in your community—wherever God’s placed you—you’re called to be a reconciler.
Think about Ephesians 4:2–3: “with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” That’s our playbook for being peacemakers!
This plays out in practical ways. In our families, it means being quick to listen and slow to speak (James 1:19). In our churches, it means dealing with conflict biblically and directly (Matthew 18:15–17). In our communities, it means being ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20).
The Ministry of Reconciliation
As reformed believers, we understand that God’s sovereignty extends to every area of life, including conflict and reconciliation. When we step into difficult situations as mediators, we’re not acting alone. We’re participating in God’s reconciling work in the world.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19 puts it beautifully: “All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.”
The Greater Mediation
Let me wrap this up with a thought that never fails to blow my mind: While Moses’ mediation was temporary, Christ’s is eternal. Hebrews 9:15 puts it beautifully: “Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance.”
Every time we step into conflicts as peacemakers, we reflect Christ’s greater work of reconciliation. This happens whether in our homes, churches, or communities. As Colossians 1:20 reminds us, He “made peace by the blood of his cross.”
Think about how this changes our approach to conflict and reconciliation. We’re not just trying to solve problems or make peace for peace’s sake. We’re participating in something much bigger—God’s cosmic work of reconciliation through Christ. I know I have a lot to do in my own life.
Our Daily Call to Mediation
Each day brings new opportunities to live out this calling. Maybe it’s mediating between arguing siblings, helping church members work through disagreements, or building bridges in your community. Whatever the situation, remember that you’re following in the footsteps of Moses and, ultimately, pointing to Christ.
Hebrews 12:14 challenges us: “Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.” Notice how peace and holiness go together. True biblical mediation never sacrifices one for the other.
Remember, friends, our call to mediation isn’t about compromising truth but about pointing people to the Ultimate Mediator, Jesus Christ. Let’s embrace this high calling with confidence. We should embrace it with humility and joy. Our efforts to make peace are grounded in the perfect peace Christ has already made.
In Romans 16, the Apostle Paul shares greetings with various church members in Rome. This demonstrates the vibrant life and unity among early Christians. He encourages them to greet each other “with a holy kiss,” a symbol of deep fellowship. Paul highlights this unity by stating, “all the churches of Christ send greetings” (Romans 16:16). Although he had not visited Rome, Paul knew many believers there. This shows the strong network of relationships in the early church. This is a testament to the unifying power of the gospel.
However, Paul’s commendation of unity shifts into a stern warning against those who threaten it. He urges the Roman Christians to “watch out for those who cause divisions. Avoid those who put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them” (Romans 16:17). This is not a call to silence every dissenting voice. Instead, the message is to remain alert. Be cautious against those who oppose the core tenets of the faith. They sow discord. Paul identifies these divisive individuals as serving their own appetites. They use smooth talk to deceive the naive (Romans 16:18). For the protection of the church, such individuals must be confronted. If necessary, they should be disciplined according to Scripture (cf. Matthew 18:15-17).
Paul’s message is both a commendation and a caution. He acknowledges the obedience of the Roman Christians. He urges them to be “wise about what is good.” They should also be “innocent about what is evil” (Romans 16:19). This call to wisdom and innocence serves as a reminder for church leaders. They must protect the flock from disruptive influences. As we reflect on Paul’s exhortation, we are challenged to cultivate a church environment marked by peace and unity. We must adhere to the truth of the gospel. We must be ready to contend for the faith once delivered to the saints (Jude 1:3).
Greeting One Another in Christ
In Romans 16:16, Paul tells believers to greet one another with a “holy kiss.” This gesture, though culturally specific, signifies the deep fellowship and unity that should define the church. This unity is not just a social nicety. It is rooted in a shared commitment to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul emphasizes this by saying, “All the churches of Christ greet you.” This reminds the Roman believers of their connection to the wider body of Christ, unified in doctrine and mission.
Paul’s call to greet one another warmly reminds us of the foundation of true Christian fellowship. It is built on shared beliefs and values. It goes beyond mere politeness. It reflects our mutual commitment to Christ and to each other as members of His body. Through this, Paul’s pastoral heart is evident. He encourages believers to express unity in genuine and heartfelt ways. This unity shows the transformative power of the gospel in their communal life.
Protecting the Church From False Doctrine
Following this vision of unity, Paul addresses a grave concern. There are individuals who “cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine you have been taught” (Romans 16:17, ESV). He urges believers to “watch out” for such individuals and to “keep away” from them. The Greek construction here demands our attention—we are to “watch out” (σκοπεῖν) with utmost vigilance. This is not a suggestion but a divine mandate. This echoes Paul’s warning to the Ephesian elders. He said, “I know that after my departure, fierce wolves will come in among you. They will not spare the flock” (Acts 20:29).
It is crucial to understand Paul’s directive. It is not a call to silence every dissenting voice. It is also not meant to suppress all disagreements over minor doctrinal matters. Instead, it is a call to be vigilant. We must guard against those who fundamentally oppose the core tenets of the faith. These individuals sow discord within the body of Christ. Paul’s distinction is important; he doesn’t categorize every disagreement as divisive. He highlights that divisive individuals undermine the very foundations of Christian truth. The “obstacles” they create aren’t merely preferences or secondary matters but are fundamentally opposed to apostolic doctrine.
In a church setting, opinions on practices or preferences may differ. However, Paul’s imperative is clear. The primary goal is to safeguard the church’s doctrinal integrity. Paul emphasizes this principle in another part. He says, “If anyone preaches a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:9, ESV). Unity is a precious and valuable asset that deserves protection. Achieving it necessitates adherence to sound teaching. Without a shared foundation of truth, unity becomes fragile and ultimately loses its significance.
So here is the question. How do we …
Identify Divisive Individuals
We can be thankful that Paul actually tells us how to identify these people. We can first identify them by their methods. They use two primary weapons to cause division.
The first is smooth talk (χρηστολογία).
The second is flattery (εὐλογία).
These individuals often present themselves as champions of unity. Yet, they simultaneously undermine the foundations of faith. Solomon wisely observed this: “Some people consider themselves clean. However, they are not washed of their filth” (Proverbs 30:12).
Secondly, these divisive people can be identified by their motivations. Paul exposes their true nature by identifying them as those who serve “their own appetites” rather than Christ. This echoes Peter’s warning about false teachers who “follow their own sinful desires” (2 Peter 2:10). Such individuals are driven by selfish ambition. They prioritize personal advancement over the glory of God. Their motivation is not to serve Christ or build up the church. Instead, they pursue their own interests, often seeking influence, recognition, or power. To protect the weaker brethren and maintain the church’s spiritual health, leadership must confront these individuals. If necessary, they should be disciplined according to Scripture’s guidelines (cf. Matthew 18:15-17). This ensures the church’s integrity and unity, preventing those who seek discord for personal gain.
A Call to Wisdom and Innocence
Paul’s message to the Roman Christians is both a commendation and a caution. He acknowledges their obedience, which is well-known, and expresses his joy over them. Yet, he emphasizes vigilance. He urges them to be “wise about what is good.” He also encourages them to be “innocent about what is evil” (Romans 16:19, ESV). This exhortation highlights the importance of discernment in distinguishing truth from error. It encourages believers to remain separate from practices that lead to moral and spiritual compromise.
Paul tempers his warning with an affirmation: “For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil” (Romans 16:19, ESV). He is aware of the threats ahead. He emphasizes that the responsibility to guard the church against divisive influences lies heavily on church leaders. Elders and pastors must discern and, when necessary, discipline those who threaten the unity and doctrinal purity of the congregation. This is an act of pastoral care, not authoritarianism. Paul writes in Acts 20:28-30, urging leaders to “pay careful attention…to care for the church of God.” Church leaders, likened to shepherds, must protect their flock from wolves, ensuring the church’s integrity and unity.
Church leaders act as shepherds of God’s flock. They have a solemn responsibility to protect the community. This protection is from those who seek to disrupt it. Paul’s exhortation to “keep away from them” (ἐκκλίνατε) demands decisive action. This may include clear theological instruction, loving confrontation, and, when necessary, church discipline. This responsibility is underscored by the need to be “wise about what is good and innocent about what is evil” (Romans 16:19). It emphasizes discernment in judgments. Leaders must strike a balance. They must act decisively against clear doctrinal threats while embodying humility and adherence to scriptural principles. This involves patience and awareness of the subtleties of false teaching, which can often appear as “truth adjacent.”
Paul’s pastoral instruction serves as a timeless reminder for congregations to remain vigilant. Church leaders, as shepherds, have the responsibility to protect the sheep from “wolves” (Matthew 7:15, ESV). Jesus warned about “false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing.” Similarly, Paul reminds the church to stay firm in sound doctrine. This guards against influences that could lead believers astray. By doing so, they protect the flock and preserve the church’s purity and unity. This ensures the church remains committed to the truth of the gospel.
In today’s ecclesiastical climate, doctrine is often sacrificed for false unity. Paul’s exhortation is urgent. The rise of progressive Christianity, the prosperity gospel, and theological liberalism requires vigilance and courage. Paul emphasizes that church leaders must guard against divisive influences. Elders and pastors must discern and discipline when necessary. This is an act of pastoral care, not authoritarianism. Leaders are like shepherds who must protect their flock from wolves. Paul underscores this duty in Acts 20:28-30, urging leaders to “pay careful attention…to care for the church of God.” Church leaders must ensure the community stays true to the gospel. This preserves both its unity and doctrinal integrity.
Reflection and Application
If Paul were to write to our churches today, what might he say? Would he commend our outreach efforts and our commitment to truth? Or would he need to address those who stray from sound doctrine? As we consider these questions, let’s focus on building a church environment marked by peace and unity. This must be firmly rooted in the gospel truth. We must stay vigilant, ready to defend the faith once entrusted to the saints (Jude 1:3). Our fellowship should remain vibrant and faithful.
We must remember that the apostle who valued Christian fellowship also stressed the importance of doctrinal integrity. These goals are not in conflict. They are unified expressions of true biblical faithfulness. We work to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:3). We must also be diligent in defending the faith once for all entrusted to the saints (Jude 3).
May the Lord grant us wisdom as we navigate these waters. We must always remember that true biblical unity can only exist where truth is cherished and protected.
4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
The Enduring Legacy of the Old Testament
Examining Romans 15:4 reveals Paul’s unwavering affirmation of the Old Testament’s crucial role in the Christian life. Despite dismissive views like that of Henry Ford’s infamous assertion that “all history is bunk,” the Apostle Paul emphasizes how God uses history as a grand tapestry to unveil His nature and plan of salvation. Joshua 1:8 reinforces this, urging believers to keep the “Book of the Law” constantly in their minds, meditating on it diligently and to faithfully adhere to its teachings. Paul underscores the enduring value of the Old Testament Scriptures, countering modern cynicism that often dismisses history as mere academic study. He proclaims that history, manifested through God’s revelation in Scripture, is God’s intended medium for revealing Himself and His redemptive purposes. Unlike abstract concepts, God’s communication is deeply intertwined with real historical events and everyday life, reminding us of His presence, reliability, and faithfulness. Understanding Paul’s words in Romans 15:4 invites us to appreciate the sovereign purpose God demonstrates through this divine revelation. We recognize that our Lord deliberately chose the historical narrative of Scripture to unveil His redemptive plan.
The Call to Study: More Than Head Knowledge
For many, the concept of deep, doctrinal study may seem daunting or even unnecessary. We hear believers say, “I’m not interested in studying doctrine; I want something practical—news I can use. I don’t need head knowledge.” However, a true grasp of biblical teaching is not detached from practical life but serves as its very foundation. Proverbs 2:6 states, “For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” Doctrine is not dry intellectualism; it is the deep well of wisdom from which we draw strength and clarity for our daily walk.
Studying Scripture carefully does not always yield instant answers for immediate problems, yet it grants us profound insight into the eternal truths that underpin our lives. Through this wisdom, we develop a firm foundation that equips us to endure life’s trials. The Scriptures provide hope—not by offering quick fixes, but by immersing us in God’s enduring truth.
Endurance and Encouragement in Times of Discouragement
The Scriptures are filled with examples of God’s faithfulness and with teachings that guide our hearts toward perseverance. In times of weariness or discouragement, God’s Word gives us both encouragement and endurance. The psalmist writes, “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him” (Psalm 42:11). When Paul speaks of Scripture’s power to instill hope, he emphasizes that it does so by steadying our souls through all circumstances. This hope does not fade; it enables us to remain steadfast, knowing that God’s promises are sure.
When we experience despair or feel our courage ebbing away, it is frequently a sign that we are ignoring the inspiration and guidance of Scripture. Hope and endurance are like twin pillars in the Christian life: hope provides a vision for a future rooted in God’s promises, while endurance steadies us in the present journey. Together, they transform our outlook, giving us patience amid life’s difficulties and keeping despair at bay.
God, Our Divine Instructor
The idea that God Himself desires to be our teacher should amaze us. Jesus invited His disciples to “come and learn from me” (Matthew 11:29). We often invest substantial time and resources in worldly education, seminars, and self-help resources, yet the Lord, in His grace, offers the deepest wisdom freely through His Word. As our Divine Instructor, He teaches us with patience, guiding us toward lasting joy, hope, and faithfulness.
Unlike earthly instruction, which can be riddled with error, God’s teaching is perfect and unchanging. His wisdom does not fail, and His Word does not return void (Isaiah 55:11). In the pages of Scripture, we find all we need for a life that is both pleasing to God and deeply fulfilling. This instruction is invaluable, not just for temporary success but for eternal life.
Living Coram Deo: Embodying Scriptural Truth
I love how R.C. Sproul puts it when he talks about The Christian life is lived coram Deo—before the face of God. To live coram Deo means to bring every thought, word, and action under the authority of God’s truth. In our study of Scripture, we should always seek ways to embody the truths we learn. James reminds us, “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (James 1:22). The goal of Bible study is not merely to gain knowledge, but to allow that knowledge to shape our character, guide our decisions, and bring glory to God in every aspect of our lives.
As we deepen our understanding of Scripture, we are called to apply its wisdom to our daily walk. By studying doctrine, we are not just learning abstract truths but are being shaped into people who reflect God’s character. In this, we bring greater honor to our Lord, living in a way that is both obedient and joyful.
Hope Through the Endurance of the Scriptures
The Scriptures were written for our instruction, endurance, and encouragement, to grant us hope in all seasons. In a world that often casts history aside as “bunk,” we know from the testimony of Scripture that God has worked through time and history to reveal Himself to us. By studying His Word, we are given a path to walk faithfully, a light to guide us, and a hope that sustains us. Let us, therefore, approach the Word of God with reverence and eagerness, knowing that through it, God Himself instructs, encourages, and equips us for the life He has called us to live.
September was national suicide prevention month. There is a reason that I am drawing attention to this; more on that in a moment.
This post has been a while in the making. I have thought about what to say and even how to say it for months. I know the risk that comes with a post like this. While pastoring, I would often hear people say they would never share some of the things that I have been willing to share openly. I guess in my life, I have never been one to hide things or pretend to be someone I am not. I often think when reading some of the Apostle Paul’s letters about how vulnerable and open he was to anyone who would read what he had written. I believe that to share what I want to share, I have to also share about the past. I have no desire to go over in detail every little thing about my past, but I do have a desire to share some things that perhaps will help others or give clarity to others.
I learned how to hide my emotions as a young child, being the youngest out of four boys by a pretty good margin. I learned not to cry, or at least not to allow others to see me cry. Therefore, hiding my emotions became a coping mechanism. I won’t say that my childhood was terrible, but it had its struggles. My father was an alcoholic who would get drunk and be abusive, never towards me but towards others. Eventually, my mother divorced him. We never had money; my mother was a single mom doing the best she could to support us. I had an incident where a family member molested me a single time. I started to steal from my family and others so that I could ditch school and do what I wanted. I learned early to tap into my emotions and make every emotion anger. When my mother finally rremarried,my life straightened oout,but not my emotions. Anger was still the emotion that ruled my life. Add that to the fact that I could not stand if I felt something was an iinjustice,and you had a bad combination.
I remember I was thrown in jail because I got caught breaking into a house, and the judge let me off because my mom was marrying my stepfather. We moved to Missouri, and one of the first things that happened was a bigger kid was picking on a smaller kid, and so I felt the need to fight him. Welcome to Missouri in the sixth grade. Everything was taken to the extreme in my life. Emotions were constantly bottled up and turned into anger. When my stepdad kicked be around the brush pile because I was not working hard enough, it turned into anger, and I decided I would never be called lazy again. This would be repeated throughout my life. I would rebel against common thought or authority, which would lead to something negative, which would lead to me justifying my anger.
I was in high school when I heard a sermon on “gentle Jesus.” The pastor said that if we were struggling with anger, we could give it to gentle Jesus, and he called us to be gentle like Jesus. I desired to be gentle. I thought I had surrendered my anger to Jesus to become more gentle, but I only learned to hide it better. My anger did not come out physically, but it came out in other ways. I could use my mind and tongue to dice you up very quickly. Nevertheless, I felt God calling me into ministry even though I did not know Christ as my savior.
I became a student pastor at 19 years old I had the opportunity to watch God do amazing things in my ministry. I could recall story after story of watching the Lord get a hold of teenagers lives and seeing their lives changed by the gospel. My life was also changed because, as a student pastor, I believe for the first time the gospel made sense to me and I gave my life to Christ. When I started ministry, I was also attending Bible College at Hannibal LaGrange University. As a young student pastor I did not know much and was an arrogant punk, but I can remember clearly one time someone went up to a person I had been witnessing to and proceeded to speak poorly about me. This man came and told me this and said he would never step foot in a church that treated one of their pastors that way. Early on I saw how ugly ministry could be. I never had the desire to go to seminary, so I knew that when I graduated, my desire would be to try to go straight into ministry. The Lord saw fit to bless me with that. My first exposure to full-time ministry was not terrible. I can remember when interviewing sitting down and picking out things for a modular home we were told was going to be built for us, but it never actually but it was not without major issues either.
I can remember sitting down and picking out things for a modular home we were told was going to be built for us. Needless to say we were surprised when we showed up and had to try to find a place. We were at the church for less than a year when the pastor resigned. From there, we had to navigate the challenges of finding a new pastor to lead our church, and this took roughly 3 years. My early years in ministry, I was putting in crazy hours between coaching basketball or volleyball, teaching Bible at the Christian school, and being the student pastor. There were weeks I had put in over 80 hours. This eventually took its toll on my body and landed me in the hospital. In our time in PA we saw the lord bless in many ways we had kids from all backgrounds in our student ministry, and we were reaching kids that I am sure many thought were never possible to reach. However, I let my guard down, and the enemy used the opportunity to sift me. During a long-drawn-out process, I had met with the elders of our church numerous times and was asked to read a statement that really was not entirely forthright nor completely true but I agreed to it in order to “keep the peace”. This was supposed to end in giving me a 5 week sabbatical. However, in the middle of a business meeting where I read my statement and was supposed to be given a sabbatical, an untrue accusation was made against me from the stage that I knew I would not be able to recover from. It became clear that the only way forward was to resign. I had people that I thought were my friends walk into elders meetings and say things about me that were not only untrue but cruel. I had letters read about me that were hit pieces that were untrue and cruel. I was accused of many things from making decisions that were only about drawing attention to myself (because I purchased items with money I made outside of ministry) to the one that stung the most: I didn’t love my own child. I would endure comments that were meant to hurt and not build up.
In order to save face, I was given a choice: either resign and not have any pay or insurance for my pregnant wife, who was due in a few weeks, or let them fire me and keep my insurance and get paid. I trusted in the Lrod, held my ground, and made it clear that I would be resigning. Again, to save face, the announcement was made that they “asked for my resignation”. This was my first taste of spiritual manipulation and abuse. For the first time, I felt the sting of those that I thought loved me, and it felt awful. I did not know what to do with these feelings, so I did what I always did: I bottled them up and said I “gave them to the Lord”, and secretly they became anger.
I had nowhere to go, no job, and did not know what to do. I loved in with my mother and our two children. For 3 years, I heard people doubt my call to the ministry, people telling me to just quit, others shocked. I had not quit, but I was convinced God had something in store.
During this time, I got involved in our church, started helping in the student ministry, and once again saw the Lord bless. I watched students confess sin to one another without prompting and witnessed them love one another in profound ways. One night I delivered a message and watched as kids again confessed sin and served one another for hours. God was doing work. I was not the student pastor; I was the intern student pastor, but had the joy of watching the Lord work. Once again, it would all come to an abrupt end. Our lead pastor left and came to illinis, our student pastor that we had eventually hired left and came to Illinois; and when it was time to hire a new lead pastor, it was clear I would not have the opportunity to be the student pastor. (I do not hold this against anyone; these were not my decisions to make.) I knew the Lord would lead, as he always had.
Sure enough, he did. I received a call from a church in Illinois asking if I would be interested in being their student pastor. After interviewing and meeting the church, I was brought in as their student pastor. I and my family have never been loved on like this church loved on us. They showed me so much grace; they consistently sought ways they could help. We were so blessed. Again, I watched God do some really amazing things in the lives of students and even adults. But again, it would not last. I began to receive calls from a church in central Illinois. I was asked to submit my resume numerous times, and eventually I reluctantly did so.
I knew the Lord was leading, but I did not want to go. I did my homework, which made me not want to go even more. I knew it was going to be hard ministry, and I struggled to find any positive reason to pack up my family and move them. I can still recall saying these words: “if you think I am going to pack up my family and leave a church that loves us greatly to come to a church that will not love us then I do not want to come.” Needless to say, the vote was overwhelming, and I ended up here. However, during that time, I had asked someone in leadership at my former church to keep it quiet until I could make the announcement, and I was very hurt when I found out they had already told the personnel committee. What did I do? Once again, I bottled it up.
From the beginning, I began to pray that God would send me the help I needed to get the job done. Before I even came to the church, I was pulled aside by a church member and told “You better watch those deacons; they run the church”. One of my first battles was when I was shown a pastoral agreement after I had already agreed to come. The agreement was repeatedly revised because I would not sign it. Eventually we got to the point where I stated something to the effect that I would sign it but that I would not be held to it nor should they expect to hold me to every part of it. I was here a week when someone walked into my office proud of a scathng letter they had sent to the Chamber of Commerce that only made our church ridiculous. I was not even the pastor a few months ago when I had to call someone into my office for gossip about their pastor in the hallway. I endured endless jabs that called into question my credibility, my faithfulness, and my ability as a pastor, over and over again, things would be said and played off as jokes. Countless times gossip would be heard directly or get back to me to the point where I had to ask my secretary to just start telling people she was going to share everything people were saying with the pastor. However, even in all of this, the Lord was faithful; he did send me encouragers. Though we were not growing by huge numbers, we did add members year after year and some of them became my strongest encouragers. It finally got to the point where others began to notice that something was wrong.
People would come to me about comments that were being made that were not biblical or encouraging; sometimes they would ask me questions that showed me they were searching the scriptures, like “Why don’t we have elders”, I had comments made from people that they had “learned more from me than any other pastor they have had I was greatly encouraged when I knew the people were searching the Scriptures. Through the years I got to see people come to faith in Christ, and I got to baptize people. I got to see amazing things, and unfortunately, I had to endure the attacks of the enemy. How did I handle this? I bottled it up. When people would ask, “Why don’t you defend yourself?” I always said the Lord is my defender. I would say that if I am faithful to preach His word, he will take care of the rest. He always did and that was easy to say but hard to live. As attacks were ramped up and as I began to catch people either talking about me, or my family, things began to get back to me that were outright lies and as a small minority began to plot for ways to get rid of me I began to reach my breaking point.
I called a meeting to address some of the issues and to call out sin. That meeting did not go well. I then watched a meeting get called without me being present, and I received a call from one of my deacons that he was resigning and leaving the church. This wasn’t because of me. I was told point blank, “Pastor, they are going to fire you and they will not stop until they do.” I was crushed. I sat in another meeting and watched someone say they had done nothing wrong and had nothing to repent of and I walked out of the meeting with another deacon, who then walked back in and resigned. I received emails and letters filled with false accusations and unfounded statements. Telling me that I was in a dark place of my own making. Accusations that I wanted elders so I could be in control when it was clear I wanted elders so I was no longer in control I experienced gas lighting for the first time in my life and I watched as one of our church members sat out front and gossiped about their pastor and how sometimes the best thing for the church is if they get rid of their pastor and that the church would grow if they only got rid of him. Despite my repeated warnings that people would leave, they pushed forward. I could write pages on pages of everything; these things only touch the surface to get me to the point of pastors struggling with mental health.
When I knew there was no way forward and I had to resign, the only thoughts in my head were, “you are a failure. I watched as one of my close friends was called a liar in the middle of a business meeting. I could not help but think, is this what these people have learned after 10 years of your teaching? Over and over again, like a beating drum, “you are a failure; you are failure as a pastor, a failure as a husband, a failure as father. You moved your family here for what? To be abused for 10 years, then quit.” I was overcome with darkness. The harder I tried to escape, it seemed, the worse it got. To add to it my close friend was dead. I felt alone and abandoned. Even now, I ask myself, where are all those people who called you friends? No one calls; no one says anything; I am just invisible. You see Pastors are not supposed to think like this. They are not allowed to think like this and they for sure can’t admit it. Pastors are not allowed to have depression or bad thoughts. I know the risk of writing this I know someone is going to tell me “no one will ever hire you to be a pastor now”, I realize I probably have said some hard things and even some things that no one knew, but if I help one pastor or one person, is helped I don’t care.
Listen carefully. I allowed the opinions of men to dictate my worth. I allowed the opinion of those few people who did not even know their scripture anyway to send me to a dark place. I allowed their comments, their feelings, their words, and their hatred to cause me to not want to take another breath. I started experiencing dissociative behavior, and the hardest day for me as a husband and father was the day I had to go home and ask my wife to hide my gun from me. Why? Because I no longer wanted to live. I had never struggled with depression before. I was good at hiding those emotions, bottling them up and turning them to anger. However, in those moments, my will to die was outweighing my will to live. I began to experience things that I never experienced before. Hours would go by and I had no clue what I had done or accomplished. I had moments where I would be frozen in a thought and be unaware of my surroundings, and if I did not have a counselor that pushed me to be honest, who knows what would have happened?
You see, I know it’s not just pastors that play this game, but pastors bottle things up. No one knows their struggle, their pains, their heartaches. They are afraid that if they share those things, they will lose their job. If they confess their sin, they will no longer be pastoring. So they hide it. They put a smile on their faces, and they carry on. The problem is that they carry on until it’s to late, and there is nothing to carry on. They get to the point where they can no longer go on and they end their life. Sucidal thoughts are real and they are real dangerous. Thoughts of wanting to end it all should not be taken lightly. My counselor asked me “how far is to far, how do you know when you have reached the limit?” Unfortunately, we don’t know until it’s to late. That is why there are stories all the time of pastors taking their lives. Pastors struggle with mental health too. I write this so we would wake up. I write this so that we would stop and think about how we treat our pastors, that we would allow them the freedom to be who they are, and that instead of saying we would be there for them, we would actually be there for them. I write this so that maybe just maybe one pastor would read it or one person would read it and understand that there is a way out of the darkness, that you do not have to remain there, and that your worth is not determined by the parishioners in your church, who can be cruel, but by the Lord, who sent His own son to die for you.
A few years ago I was preaching through 1 Corinthians and one of my messages was titled “The Call to remain where planted”. If I am honest the sermon has been on my mind daily over the last few weeks, in fact, I have not been able to get it off my mind. We all have a plan for our lives, but sometimes it may not be God’s plan for us. It can be challenging to let go of what we’ve mapped out and accept His divine placement. Surrendering to His divine placement is an essential part of our spiritual journey, as it allows us to experience life in more meaningful ways and helps us grow closer to God.
In that message I talked about remaining where God has called you. God, in his infinite wisdom, has set you up in your current social circle and even in your current position. Now, this is not arguing that a person who was a prostitute or an adulterer, or a porn addict before conversion should continue in those roles afterward. The concept that sin is being tolerated or treated lightly in these verses is ludicrous, especially in light of Christ’s remarks to the adulterous woman at the well: “go and sin no more.”
I think what is difficult is when we go through a difficult circumstance in our life especially after we have felt God leading us to a certain place to understand that our place in this world is not just some matter of chance but rather it has been assigned to us by the Lord. In fact, Paul uses this word over and over again it is the word “called” and 1 Corinthians 7:17 he uses it like this “Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches.” (1 Corinthians 7:17 ESV). The word called is not meaning like a vocation but rather this word calling is the Holy Spirit’s calling on the life of a person to enter into fellowship with Christ. So what Paul is saying here as plainly as I can tell is this “stay in the state you were in when you were converted when you were drawn by God remain in THAT spot. Because that is assigned to you by God. Remain where you are because God in his sovereignty has placed you there socially so stay there. I think on the ministry of Jesus and all of the times that Christ had people stay it is this same principle remember when he healed a demon-possessed man in Mark 5 the man wanted to go with Jesus and Jesus told him to stay back. The idea is that you are called at a particular time in your life in a particular culture and you have been placed there by God to uniquely prepare you for the ministry God has for you.
Now here is the thing I don’t like that. I am sure often you don’t like it either. We don’t like to think that God has planned the things that have come into our lives all for his purpose. We don’t like to think that God has planned things our before the foundations of the world because we want to think that we are somehow in control of everything that goes on. But the truth is that nothing comes into your life that has not first crossed the desk of the ruler of this universe. Now we can say well I don’t like that and that is fine God does not need you to like it but I want you to know I take great comfort in it.
Do you know why? Because it means that God is not taken by surprise with anything that comes into my life. God is not wringing his hands and saying “well I was going to bless Josh but I can’t now because he has ruined it.” It does not work that way. You say well how do you know? Well let me tell you how I know because His word is clear let’s read it Romans 8:28-38
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, (Romans 8:28–38 ESV)
Listen God has planned all things including all things surrounding the circumstances of my salvation and your salvation it does not happen by chance but by God’s plan. God is in control and there is never a time when he is not. That is why I love these words to Victory in Jesus “He sought me and He bought me” I did not seek him he sought me no man seeks him. I was dead in my sin and he breathed new life in me. I was at the bottom of the Ocean unable to take a breath and Jesus dove to the bottom and rescued this dead man. That is the very picture of Lazarus. It is a picture of salvation Lazarus was a dead man there was no mistaking it he was dead, dead and Jesus showed up and called dead Lazarus to life and Lazarus had no choice but to come forth out of the grave. That is us. We are dead, dead and when he calls our name we have no choice but to come forth.
We get confused because we want the Christian life to be a social revolution but it is a spiritual regeneration. Jesus had plenty of opportunity to change where people were socially he spoke with soldiers and poor people. rich people, slaves, taxpayers, and people from all walks of life and he could have said you need to leave this life but he didn’t. Christianity is not about social reform, I am not saying it does not have an effect on society as it most certainly does. However, a relationship with Christ can occur in any society and is not dependent on our social standing. You can be a man, woman, married, single, divorced, widowed, a Jew, a Gentile, a free person, a slave, a democrat, a republican, a libertarian, whatever. You can be in a democracy, an anarchy, or a dictatorship, you can be in China, Japan, Cuba, Iran, or America it does not matter you can be a Christian because it is not societal dependent it is internal. You should be the best Christian that you can be wherever you are no matter your social standing. Christianity is not about revolutionizing society. Now let me be clear as Christians we are to be active in society. We know how we are to treat the poor, the unborn, the widows, the hungry, the naked, and the wounded. As Christians, we have a social responsibility to always seek justice in society, and to speak the truth of God against injustice, and unrighteousness. However, society will never be transformed by a social gospel or social institution but only by the proclamation of the gospel that will lead to changed lives.
What Paul is getting at in 1 Corinthians 7 is that who we are is nothing, and God’s commands are everything, so don’t change anything. Stay where you are planted and be obedient to him until he moves you. Paul is showing that what matters the most is obedience to God’s commands and they are so much more important than the cultural distinctives. In other words, do not make a big stinking deal about the culture, but instead, make a big deal about obedience. Do not run around wringing your hands about the cultural distinctives thinking you must conform to them because they are of little importance to God but what is important is your obedience. What matters the most is the reality behind the ritual. Here is the danger we find ourselves in sometimes we are more committed to the outward appearance than we are to the inward reality. Then we end up having this false standard of spirituality, saying well really spiritual people will do such and such and we base it on what is external as opposed to really spiritual people will follow Christ and simply be obedient to him, therefore, experiencing the joy of Christ and therefore glorifying the father. Because regardless of what we think, it is always about him.
Our social standing or where we are even located is so inconsequential to God. When we follow Christ all of the externals are stripped away it does not matter your social standing it does not matter whether you are a doctor, a lawyer, or a sanitation worker none of it matters. It does not matter whether you are white, black, brown, red, purple etc, none of that matters, there are no class distinctions in Christ. What matter is that we all who are truly followers of Christ are slaves to Christ. You are now a part of the household of Christ. And this is why we can look at our social standing and say never mind it. We are under the Lordship of Christ he is our master we are his slaves and his Lordship over us is all that matters and it relativizes all other social statuses. How is it possible that everything comes into submission to Christ? How is it possible that we are free, but yet we are slaves of Christ?
Because we were bought with the blood of Christ therefore we shall not be slaves to men. The focus is not on us being bought but on the price that we are bought with. to bring us into Christ’s possession. We are saved by the blood of Jesus Christ that was the price that was paid for us. We are redeemed He paid for you with His life. His life was given for your life. Now you are God’s special possession, redeemed from slavery and bondage of sin. Now as his special possession what matters most is staying close to him and bringing him glory so we don’t go around saying poor me, or I am not high society or I am too low on the totem no! Stay close to God and be in His presence giving him glory. Because the temptation is to seek to please men.
How often do we become men-pleasers instead of God Pleasers? How often do we not say something, not do something, or how often do we say or do something only because we know it will please men and not because it will please God. How often do we stop and think in our lives if what we are about to say or do will glorify God or will it glorify someone else? Why would we seek the esteem of men or the praise of men by conforming to what they value the approval of God is your goal and not the esteem of men then you will seek to glorify him no matter the circumstance and no matter where he has placed you. You will not be consumed by your circumstances because you will understand there is a difference between joy and happiness and that happiness is fleeting and circumstantial but Joy is not and can come only when we are satisfied in him and he then is Glorified in us. Because it is in those moments that we realize it is not about us. That we were bought and our obedience to him is what matters.
Sometimes I find myself questioning God. I say things like this “God why did you bring me here to waste eight years of my life? Did I really make any difference? I have nothing to show for coming here. I am lonely. Am I done? Is there ministry for me anymore?” these are just a few things that cross my mind on a consistent basis. All of those things have the same thing in common. They focus on my circumstance and not God. I can live for God no matter where I am at, I can serve him as long as he gives me the opportunity. I do not need my circumstances to change I need to draw close to him. Someone else’s circumstances will always be better or even worse. There will always be a pastor that has not had to walk through what I had to walk through and there will be those who have walked through far worse. I can either glorify God or not no matter my circumstance and so can you. You see our issue is not our circumstances our issue is with God.
However, what is also so great about surrendering to his divine placement is that it is not always absolute. By that I mean this god does sometimes change our circumstances. Tax collectors became preachers, fishermen became missionaries, and slaves have been set free. The Corinthians were questioning what they needed to leave behind when coming to Christ and Paul is responding with you do not need to abandon your job or where you are socially he is showing that God is concerned with being satisfied in him. We need to be satisfied in Christ not in social standing.
One of the hardest things for us to do at times is to trust in God’s sovereignty. We often wonder if we are where we are supposed to be but as long as you are there then it is where you are supposed to be. I am not talking of sin but I am speaking of Job, social standing, living place, etc. You are not where you are by accident the Lord directs your steps, his purposes will be established. His purpose will not be thwarted. You are where you are by God’s divine appointment and our job is to be satisfied in Him until he moves us. May we surrender to his divine placement.
