| Leaving a Legacy |
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When our lives are said and done what will remain? Someone told me one time that on tombstones they put the dashes between the year born and the year died. I was asked: "What will your dash mean?" That is a sobering thought isn't it? What will be said about you? What did you accomplish? How many lives did you touch? How many souls did you bring to Heaven with you? WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO LEAVE BEHIND A GODLY LEGACY?
Joshua son of Nun. The great warrior who led the Children of Israel into the Promised Land and drove out the inhabitants of the land. What can we learn from Joshua about how to leave behind a legacy?
1. Time spent with and learning under a mentor.
When Moses was up on the Mountain receiving the Law from God Joshua was with him. Ex 32:17 When Moses learned he was not going into the Promised Land he was commanded by the LORD to "invest" (encourage and strengthen him) into Joshua's life (Duet 3:28). There is application for two parties here. For the older wiser sage the long time servant of God and veteran of many spiritual battles. Invest in the younger leaders. They will carry on your work and your vision. I have seen all to often Senior leaders inhibit the growth of the younger leaders for reasons of insecurity, jealousy, and competition. This of course does not strenghten the body of Christ but only frustrates and discourages the younger generation. For the younger generation, though you may have zeal, and wonderful ideas, you will benefit greatly by taking the time to learn from those that have gone before you. I had freinds in the military that always used this expression: "If you have to walk through a mine field would you want to be first or last?" Of course we want the advantage of learning from other people's mistakes! The same goes for ministry! Joshua was well prepared to take over the reigns of the minstry from Moses, because Joshua learned the how to's from Moses. Don't be too arrogant to learn. Be humble, your time will come to lead, your gifts will make room for you. In the mean time learn all you can so you will be prepared when your season comes.
2. Time spent alone with God. Ex 33:7-11 Moses would spend time in the tent and the presence of God would come down and stay at the entrace of the tent while the LORD spoke with Moses. The LORD would talk with Moses as a man speaks face to face with his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but "his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent."
What that tells me is that once Moses left, it was Joshua's turn to spend time alone with God. I love to linger in the presence of God and once I am in that secret place it is hard to leave. Joshua,indeed spent time with God, and that prepared him to leave a legacy of godliness behind.
3. Being filled with the Holy Spirit. (Duet 34:9 Num 27:18) 34:9 And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as Jehovah commanded Moses. 27:18 And Jehovah said unto Moses, Take thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay thy hand upon him;
Joshua was a man of the Spirit. We all are the to be filled with the Holy Spirit. We are to be under His control and influence. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit we not only demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit but we can demonstrate the power of the Holy Spirit.
4. Be full of faith and faithful. (Num 14:6-10)
When everyone else except Caleb was saying "We can't, we shouldn't, we'll perish." Joshua was saying, "We can, we should, and we will shall be victorious!"
The Bible tells us that "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God." Joshua's faith was a direct result of his time spent with the LORD and listening to Him. Joshua in his lifetime defeated 31 kings and 6 Nations! "And he took the entire land, just as the LORD had directed Moses, and he gave it as an iheritance to Israel." Josh 11:24 Joshua also made a public announcement that he was going to serve the LORD.
24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve Jehovah, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve Jehovah.
Better than any epitaph on a tombstone is to be recorded in the Bible your righteous deeds. This is what the LORD says about Joshua.
2:7 And the people served Jehovah all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great work of Jehovah that he had wrought for Israel.
As long as Joshua was alive and all that he influenced personally served the LORD. Wouldn't that be a great legacy to pass on to your children? Your friends? Your co-workers? Your church family? Your community? Wouldn't it be great that the LORD says to you one day as you stand before Him and give an account of your life: "As long you lived and all those that out lived you served the LORD."
There is a whole lot more we could learn from Joshua, but these are a few highlights of a man who made a difference in the lives of others. I encourage you to take his example and influence others for Christ and His kingdom!
God Bless Y'all
Love in Christ,
Brother Todd |
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