Deuteronomy 31:1-8
One of the hallmarks of American culture in the 20th century was its fascination with the “Superhero.” From comic-book sales to blockbuster movies to the graphic novel genre, entire industries have played into the attraction we have to individuals who are somehow possessed of powers not enjoyed by mere mortals. Superman, Spiderman, Batman, Kobe Bryant, the X-Men, the Avengers and others capture our collective imaginations as they battle the super-villains their creators dream up to fight them. The urge of a boy to wear his underpants on the outside of his pajamas and tear around the house fighting phantom bad guys is an inherited character trait passed down proudly from father to son.
So what is it about a superhero that’s so appealing? Bravery. Power. Strength. Integrity. The ability to fly. The fact that they usually get the girl. The fact that they can seemingly get out of any jam they find themselves in. Who wouldn’t want that kind of existence?!?
Thinking of that context, read Deuteronomy 31:1-8. Joshua is, in effect, getting his superhero’s license from Moses. Now, it’s unlikely that this involved a cape and a mask, but Moses here tells Joshua that, with God’s power behind him, he will be able to deal with adversity and conquer his fears.
Moses tells the people that their new leader, Joshua, will take them forward into Canaan. Their old leader, Moses, encourages Joshua in front of the people, “Be strong and courageous…The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you…Do not be afraid: do not be discouraged.” With that reinforcement as a backdrop, Joshua moved forward. Fear couldn’t hold him back. He believed God.
If you knew that you couldn’t fail, what would you do differently?!? Pursue a promotion at work? Further your education? Risk repairing a broken relationship? Finally take a step in the shoes God’s called you to walk in?!!?
The fact of the matter is guys for the past few months I’ve been feeling God calling me to a deeper place in the ministry but I’ve been scared out of my mind to even think about it. I don’t know if most of you are like me but I haven’t been too successful at too many things throughout my life. College took me well about six years. Never really been the one to overachieve in the work place and there’s been millions of other tasks or things I’ve dropped the ball with.
“I have missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I have lost almost 300 games. On 26 occasions I have been entrusted to take the game winning shot, and I missed. And I have failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is precisely why I succeed.” – - Michael Jordan
This is a quote from the greatest basketball player to ever play the game and I wouldn’t think that too many people knew that he missed that many game winning shots. But that’s because he’s remembered as the guy who had the guts to step up and take the shot!
The thing is guys when God goes before you and you’re living in God’s will you can’t fail. You may miss a few shots along the way, but with the world’s only Superpower behind you in the end ultimately you can’t fail!
Take the risk! Live with passion and expectancy of God moving in your life! Listen to his assurance: “be strong and courageous…Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
“Trust God, God and be not afraid, or else you will plague yourself.”
–Charles Haddon Spurgeon–
