October 15, 2008

By: Jason Edgar

**Open in a word of prayer**

 Well, last time, we talked about Joshua, and how God had appointed him to be the leader.  But did you wonder what he did before that?  Joshua was Moses’ aide.

 What is interesting about Joshua is that while Moses was alive and leading the people of Israel, there is not much mention of Joshua.  However, he does appear in a few spots in scripture that helps us get a glimpse into his heart.

 Remember when Moses led the people out of Egypt and stopped at Mount Sinai?  It is the place where he received the Ten Commandments, and other instructions.  Now, at this time in the Old Testament, God appeared to Moses and the people as a “cloud.”  Moses went into this cloud to meet with God.  Now Moses had gone up and down a few times, and on one of his last trips, what most people overlook is that Joshua went with him.  What is even cooler is that they chilled up there for forty days and nights!! (Exodus 24: 13-18)

 Joshua was pretty much Moses’ third arm.  So let us read of another time [Read Exodus 33: 7-11) He followed Moses EVERYWHERE!

 Back in the day, Moses was special because he had an intimate relationship with God.  The people of his time recognized it and honoured it.  Joshua envied it… he craved it… he sought it.  The only difference between us and them is that we don’t have to be “chosen” to have that special relationship.  We can all have it through Jesus Christ.

 What is the same though, is that we need to seek God; always.

 We need to put Him first.  We need to spend time with God.  That is one reason that we have our devotions be it this one, or in a book, or in the side bar of our Bible, or listening to some preacher on the web.  We do this to draw closer to God.  We do this so we can hear His voice.  We do this so we can fulfill His will for us in our lives.

 I mentioned last time about Joshua being a leader appointed by God, and how we were like Joshua–leaders.  We talked about how God believed that Joshua was capable of leading.  And it’s all true.  But here is an interesting fact that we can pick out from the scripture that we read:

 See Joshua didn’t become a leader, and then seek God.
 Joshua sought God, and then God used Him.

 Now maybe you haven’t been like Joshua and sought the Lord first.  Although that is the best method, it’s not the only one.  God loves us, and wants to change us to reflect His glory, and He wants to use us.  God sees and knows the heart, and as long as we continue to try and seek His face, we are moving in the right direction.

 So let’s do our best to become hungry for God.  Let us seek God.  Let’s stay in the tent just a bit longer……….  Let’s do it right now.