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Joshua 1:2a – Moses my servant is dead. Get going. (MSG)
Joshua needed a prod. He had been Moses' assistant, and now it was up to him to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. But Joshua was hesitating. Doubting. Was he the right man to do this? Would the people follow him? Was he able to do the job? But God told him, "Get going." So Joshua stepped out.
Haven't we all been there? We're not sure if this is what God wants us to do. We hesitate. Moses himself had been in the same predicament years before: "Me? Why me?" Surely, God must mean someone else. He argued with God. But God said, "Get going!"
When we're faced with an opportunity to serve, we can all think of reasons why this must be a mistake: we don't have the time, we don't have the knowledge, the resources, equipment. We're too young, too old. What if …? And of course, someone else could do a far better job. Perhaps we haven't heard God correctly. Better wait.
Some years ago, I took a spiritual gifts class at my church. When the result of the survey was "leadership", I doubted that it was true. I did it again. And again. I tweaked the answers here and there. But it always came out the same. When I was asked to lead a Bible study group, I did the very same thing as Moses. Me? Not me! I love Bible study. But leading? No, there must be some mistake. But God was prodding me. Get going! Several years later, I find that this is my place. God knew what He was doing after all.
God doesn't just lead us into a situation and then let go. He promised Joshua that He'd be beside him and before him. God is always beside us. He strengthens and encourages us with His Word. He sends others along at just the right moment. God is always ahead of us. He already knows the outcome. He had a plan for us before we were even born. Every one of us was made to fulfill a different purpose. He builds on what went on in our lives before. He puts us in the environment and into situations that will train us for His purpose. He gives us the gifts and abilities required for the job. He equips us and provides everything that we need when we need it. But it's up to us to trust Him and take that first step.
Can you feel God prodding? Get going! Speak! Tell them! Make it! Do it! Go! Don't be afraid. Don't get discouraged. He is always with us.
What are you waiting for? Get going!
Prayer: Lord, sometimes it seems unlikely that You could use us to be Your hands and feet in this world. You created us to serve You by serving others and to bring You glory by doing that. But we have trouble understanding why You would choose us. Help us to step out, just like Joshua, Moses, and countless others through the centuries. Prod us, Lord! Help us to get going! In Jesus' name, we pray this. Amen.
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Great message JJ.
Thanks for the encouraging words.
Thanks! I needed to hear your message today, and it is the day to get going.
Good job JJ. Now get going and write another one!
Blessings.
Your timing of your devotional was perfect and a reminder I needed today.
Thank you.
Well, your devotional was just about perfect for many of us! Thank you.
(Texas)
Now that is totally “hitting the nail on the head”. I’ve never heard or read it his thoughts (which have ever been my thoughts!) put into such perfectly clear words. This is one that I will print out and keep handy because it is so very personal and sounds so much like me that it is sure to impact my thoughts whenever I read it. Thank you so much for ‘getting going’.
Dear JJ Ollerenshaw,
Thank you for writing “Get Going.”
I, too, “got going,” and now I realize that part of getting going is often to encourage other persons to get going too, for we might not always be around. Sometimes we can ask others to share one or more aspects of a Bible Study session. In this way we train them gradually to become helpers then leaders. (We don’t need to tell them what we are doing!)
I pray that God will continue to bless you.
How well I understand your words. My main problem with His prodding is occasional doubts as to whether the prod is from God, or just my desire to do something. I do not ever wish to run ahead of Him, nor do I wish to appear to be disobedient. Thus, I always seek His wisdom before doing anything, and take His whisper of peace as my signal to go ahead, or His check in my spirit. He always answers if I am patient, and I know He knows my heart.
The word says to try the spirits whether they be of God, and this is why I seek His confirmation one way or the other since we do have an enemy who wants to sow confusion in our minds.
Bless you.