"Joshua"
"No way, I've read that story so many times, I want to do something new and interesting."
"Joshua"
"C'mon. I know that story already, maybe something in the New Testament?"
"Joshua."
"Okay, fine. I'm not really sure I'll learn anything, but if you say so...."
This was the conversation that I found myself having with God last week. I will admit to you, this is not the best way to start your devotions. I repented later of my stubbornness because after the first chapter I knew that reading the book of Joshua would be radically different this time around. That's the thing that I love about the Bible though, it's always the same and yet it feels new each time the binding falls open to that same worn spot. I was reading in Joshua 3 and I read this verse,
"Since you have never traveled this way before, they will guide you.
Stay about a half mile behind them. Keeping a clear distance
between you and the ark. Make sure you don't come any closer".
I sat there and just stared at the verse, not entirely sure of why I was so drawn to it. I mean, this verse is just setting the stage for what the Israelites are supposed to do as they go to cross the Jordan river. I just kept reading "Since you have never traveled this way before" over and over and over again. It hit me all of the sudden and I said to myself "you dingbat. this is straight from God's lips to your ears for this season of life." To say that this semester has been hard, would be a massive understatement. It feels like every time I get some semblance of order in my life, the "bullies" come and knock my books out of my hands, only in this scene, no cute boy stops to help me pick up my things. It's just me, sitting in the mess, wondering why I keep picking things up, to get knocked down again. Long story short, I have never traveled this way before. The things that have been thrown my way are so far out of my league of experience, I feel like I'm stuck on some alien planet waiting to get home. That's when I read that verse, and my perspective began to change. God was saying to me, "My courageous princess. You are walking in a new season of life. In all of your efforts to see where I will take you, you have run ahead of me. You're getting hurt by things unnecessarily as you run. Trust me. Allow me to fight your battles. You are exhausting yourself fighting a battle that I have already won. Step behind me, allow me to protect you. Allow me to guide you. I will shield you from the attacks of the enemy of your soul. I am your warrior and protector. If you allow me to fight for you, there is nothing that can or will overtake you. It is my pleasure to go to war for you, beloved."
I felt a sigh of relief from my very soul release as I realized this truth. I am only overwhelmed because I am trying to handle these things in my time and in my strength. If I step behind Him, as He had the Israelites do as they crossed the Jordan, I will land safely on the other side of the shore. God is our trustworthy protector. He is so much greater than the world, He's overcome it!
After reading all of this, I wrote this as my response to Him and I wanted to share it in hopes that someone else might be as encouraged as I was by this simple verse in Joshua and all the power that it really hold. Here it is:
"My protector,
I am ready for you to fight my battles for me. I am tired and sad and I am growing apathetic. I realize now that you alone are the one who can bring victory to my life. Please forgive me for using my words and actions as a weapon to hurt those who have hurt me. Thank you for allowing me to step behind you and let you lead the way and protect me from the world. Thank you for fighting for me.
love,
your beloved who is ready to stand behind you"
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