Morning Coffee with Jesus, October 4, 2011
Greetings loved ones!
Today’s Morning Coffee with Jesus comes from Joshua 1:8-9, “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 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.”
There is a book that every military leader through the centuries has read and studied. The book is, “The Art of War” by Sun Tzu. The book focuses on military tactics and strategies. It has more recently been adapted for business, creativity, goal setting, spiritual battle, and the list goes on. Military personnel with whom I’ve spoken know every one of the 13 aspects of military tactics. Some can recite them verbatim without even looking at the book. It is these tactics that win wars and, in the case of Robert E. Lee during the battle of Gettysburg, lose the battle because he did not follow the strategies and tactics he studied in “The Art of War” at West Point. I’ll bet that if Robert E. Lee got a visit from Sun Tsu during the night before the last day of battle at Gettysburg, the result of that battle would have been far different!
Following Moses’ death, Joshua is instructed by God to get ready to lead the Israelites across the Jordan into the Promised Land. God’s instructions to Joshua are, in part, found in the scripture above. Imagine for a moment that you are Joshua and God tells 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.” I am certain that when Joshua was leading God’s people across the Jordan River there were frightening moments. There were moments of doubt. But Joshua clung to the promises God gave to him – that God would be with Joshua wherever he went.
That promise holds true today for God’s people. Jesus said that He would never leave us or forsake us so during those moments of doubt and fear what do we do??? We doubt and we fear! I have been there so I totally understand!
Reflect back on those moments when you doubted and feared in the past. I’m sure, if you’re like me, you can see when God came through – maybe in a very small way or perhaps in a very big way. Nonetheless, God came through.
Maybe you are facing foreclosure on your home because you have lost your job. Maybe you are fearful of the result of a pending medical test. Perhaps there is a relationship that is crumbling that is driving you to tears. Whatever you are going through, know that Jesus is going through it with you. He knows, he understands, and he hears the cries of his people. Be in God’s Word, studying it, meditating on it, familiarizing yourself with God’s faithfulness as documented in it. Glean those “golden nuggets” of truth from God’s word and don’t let go of them. They provide the needed sustenance when our faith wanes.
One of the thirteen tactics in “The Art of War” is the use of energy, creativity and timing in building an army’s momentum. Your army is an army of One. Your momentum comes from persistent prayer. Use this tactic with energy. Prayer does wonders for a weary, beaten down soldier of the Lord. Be strong and courageous. We may not always win a battle but we WILL win the war!
Have an awesome day in Jesus.
Stay sweet,
stay broken,
stay His!
Blessings,
E.
