No Worry

Joshua 13:1-7

1When Joshua had grown old, the Lord said to him, “You are now very old, and there are still very large areas of land to be taken over.
2 “This is the land that remains: all the regions of the Philistines and Geshurites, 3 from the Shihor River on the east of Egypt to the territory of Ekron on the north, all of it counted as Canaanite though held by the five Philistine rulers in Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath and Ekron; the territory of the Avvites 4 on the south; all the land of the Canaanites, from Arah of the Sidonians as far as Aphek and the border of the Amorites; 5 the area of Byblos; and all Lebanon to the east, from Baal Gad below Mount Hermon to Lebo Hamath.
6 “As for all the inhabitants of the mountain regions from Lebanon to Misrephoth Maim, that is, all the Sidonians, I myself will drive them out before the Israelites. Be sure to allocate this land to Israel for an inheritance, as I have instructed you, 7 and divide it as an inheritance among the nine tribes and half of the tribe of Manasseh.”

Hakuna Matata

You might have you watched the movie “Lion King.” This movie made the phrase “Hakuna Matata” more popular worldwide. “Hakuna Matata” is a Swahili phrase which means “No Worries!” Swahili is a lingua franca, a common or trade language in many eastern and southeaster region of Africa.
This “Hakuna Matata” kind of life is very desirable but it has become virtually or almost impossible to achieve after Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden of Eden. Life experiences from that time on up to these days had been infected by worries.
Nevertheless, Jesus teaches in Matthew 6:34, 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

One practical exhibit of faith in Christ is to have life free from worries. Worry reveals fear of the unknown. Fear of the unknown should trigger trust in God. When we worry about the future: future partner, future of children, retirement lifestyle, health and finances, we should seek the Lord for solution for this struggle of life.

1. Struggle

1When Joshua had grown old, the Lord said to him, “You are now very old, and there are still very large areas of land to be taken over.

In this generation, to emphasize the obvious is not very much appreciated. Not many people would like to see their white hair sticking out of their hairline. Yet, the Lord accentuated that Joshua has grown really old. He also pointed out the vast track of land they must take over. Why would God highlight the inadequacies of Joshua?
The Lord did not make fun of the aged Joshua, did He? Joshua might have been confident that he still has the strength to conquer the land. The Lord knew better that Joshua would surely struggle with physical strength, and wanted him not to worry.

The Canaanite territories from south to the north that had to be taken over included the region of the Philistines. Joshua and the Israelites defeated and destroyed all the Canaanite kings but there were still few survivors left. The mission that God gave Joshua was still in progress. Joshua could have been struggling with old age visibly.
Did Joshua feel helpless when the Lord highlighted that they have not conquered all of Canaan yet? Why did God need to tell him that he was very old? What should we do when God points out our incapability to do what He wants us to do?
Should we feel sorry for our incompetence to obey God’s command? Should we feel guilty? Guilt feelings added to many worries of life would certainly make a person’s life more miserable. When Jesus said “Don’t worry,” He would help us if we ask His help.
Gideon
When the Lord called Gideon to lead Israel against their enemies, he might have felt incompetent. In Judges 6:14-16, 14 The Lord turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?”
15 “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.”
16 The Lord answered, “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites, leaving none alive.”

The Lord did not tell Gideon to go and train on how to become a mighty warrior. He wanted Gideon to face the Midianites with the strength he had. The Lord knew that Gideon cannot depend on his family. He assured Gideon of His presence when they defeat the Midianites. God calls anyone He chooses to experience His power.
When God told Joshua of his struggle of old age, He implied that Joshua should not worry about driving out the Canaanites. When God allows us to struggle, He wants us to seek His help for solutions. God has prepared solution for our struggles.

2. Solution

6 “As for all the inhabitants of the mountain regions from Lebanon to Misrephoth Maim, that is, all the Sidonians, I myself will drive them out before the Israelites. Be sure to allocate this land to Israel for an inheritance, as I have instructed you, 7 and divide it as an inheritance among the nine tribes and half of the tribe of Manasseh.”

It was not mentioned that Joshua was worried about old age but to paraphrase what the Lord said to Joshua, the Lord could have said, “You’re old Joshua but don’t worry. I’ll drive the Canaanites out. Stay put. Just watch.” And the Lord told him that all he would do will be to divide and distribute the land accordingly.

Without tangible source of income, it is very easy for parents to worry. When the disciples followed the Lord Jesus, they left their livelihood—their source of income. They might have been tempted to worry about their lifestyle. Jesus had no paid job. Their savings might have been depleting. Where would their financial support come from?
Jesus could have sensed His disciples’ confusion when He assured them in Matthew 6:31-33, 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

The disciples were chosen to be the pillars of the first century Christianity.
They were called to testify about the Lord. But they also needed support to their lifestyle. Jesus says, “The solution to life worries is submission to the Lordship of God.”
The Lord did not try to save everyone during His time of earth. He ministered only to those whom God the Father has given Him. In John 6:44-45, 44 “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day. 45 It is written in the Prophets: ‘They will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard the Father and learned from him comes to me.

The Lord has many unique methods of speaking to each person. Those who heard Him would seek the Lord Jesus. Jesus is still calling believers to make disciples. He knows our capability, and He can readily use each of us with the strength we have for His glory.
We are to pray that the Lord would lead us, that He would arrange a situation, an opportunity for us to reach out those whom God has drawn and prepared to come to Christ. “But I am struggling in life,” one might reason out. God knows it. He doesn’t tell us to go on our own. Well, old age could be one of the toughest struggles of humanity.

Like Joshua, when God pointed out that he was well advance in years, God knows our limitation. Age or strength doesn’t matter to God. Like Gideon, God wants us to obey in the strength we have and not the strength we don’t have. Obedience to God is by faith, not by strength or ability. God has prepared a special mission for each of us.
What matters to God is obedience to go in the strength we have, not our ability.

God allows us to struggle financially, emotionally, relationally, intellectually, and spiritually for us to seek His help and to trust Him. When we practice our faith in God, and we experience how He would deliver us from life’s crisis, it serves as a great and convincing testimony for us to share it with others, and to witness for His grace.
Jesus said in Acts 1:4-8, 4 but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” 6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”
7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses…

Witnessing is not by human effort but by the Holy Spirit’s power. We experience the power of the Holy Spirit when He helps us overcome our struggle. That’s how the Lord wants us to witness. We are to share with others our personal experience on how the Lord solved our struggles or problems. What’s your struggle? What’s your problem?
God has solution for it. Desire to be filled and empowered by the Holy Spirit!
Get ready because you cannot help but to testify about God’s grace for you!

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