God’s plan and our purpose.
“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." Joshua 1:9
Two years two months and one day ago, I had a heart attack while cutting the grass. It was unexpected to say the least. I went to the hospital with the thought that I was fine and would be out of there that day or maybe the next at the latest. At 3 a.m. I was on a helicopter heading to another hospital. Apparently the situation was much worse than I imagined. I had seven blockages and the Lad artery was 99% blocked. The nurse referenced this blockage as the widow maker.
I spent a day in the hospital waiting for surgery. This gave me a lot of time for prayer and reflection. I meditated on God’s word almost the whole day and most of the night. I made peace with my situation and resigned myself to the fact that I was just along for the ride.
I made peace with the potential outcome of the surgery. If things did not work out and I did not make it through, I knew where I was headed. How many know for sure where they are headed next? If the surgery was a success I knew that I had a long road of recovery in front of me. I made peace with this potential outcome also.
The morning of the surgery I had a hospital room full of loved ones staring at me with a great look of concern. Some had tears in their eyes, some had signs of nervous anxiety. But I was truly at peace with my situation. I had complete confidence in my Lord Jesus Christ.
As I looked into the eyes of the many who were in that room I seen the emotion that my wife was going through, I knew that I needed to take action. I needed to minister to them before I was wheeled away to surgery.
I prayed for the people in the room to find comfort through God’s Holy Word and peace in their heart because of the assurance that the Lord is with them in this moment. I prayed that they stayed strong spiritually and were not afraid or dismayed and that they call upon our Lord to help them through this time. I prayed that they turn their life over to Christ and let Him hold them in His hand of care. I prayed not for my sake but exclusively for their sake.
In the first chapter of Joshua the Israelites were about to encounter the greatest trials of their life. They were going to cross the Jordan and conquer the land promised to their forefathers. They would face many enemies whose armies intended to wipe them from the face of the earth. The struggle for the promise land would last years.
We must remember in times of trials that Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point. The soul is refined when convictions are proved through testing. When what we believe survives the threat of persecution and trial, the courage involved is transformational. That's how character is formed. Put simply, a virtue is a belief that has proved itself.
"The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the LORD tests the heart" (Proverbs 17:3).
Joshua is told to be strong and courageous in obeying God and His law. We must be strong and courageous in obeying God. We must keep His law, His commandments and Holy Word. We must never turn away from His Word; rather, we must meditate on it day and night. If we obey God, living in His word and keeping His commandments, we will prosper and be successful in whatever we do.
Joshua was encouraged by God to be strong and courageous in overcoming fear and discouragement. Fear and discouragement can be conquered only as we are strong and courageous. God is with us, and He will never leave nor forsake us. This is His promise to us just as it was to Joshua. His unfailing presence is always with us wherever we go.
You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. (2Timothy 2:1)
Now they say there are two great moments in a person’s life- the moment when you are born and the moment when you realize why you were born. The great purpose for which you were born is set forth in Deuteronomy 6:5, "And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might." At that moment in the hospital bed as I was praying, I knew God’s plan and my purpose.
We are called to be a strong witness to the presence and Power of Christ in our life. We are called to help meet the need of others who are struggling. We are called to share the Gospel message with any and all. I had my moment to step up and in all humility, I did what I was called to do. You will have your moment and you too have to take action. Stay strong and be courageous, do not be afraid and have complete confidence in the fact that wherever you go the Lord your God will be there. Then you will be able administer God’s plan and fulfil your purpose and lead souls to the promise land.
God Bless,
Pastor Rick Gault
Kings Creek Union Chapel