Dear Prayer Warriors,
“And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they rose early about the dawning of the day, and compassed the city after the same manner seven times: only on that day they compassed the city seven times. And it came to pass at the seventh time, when the priests blew with the trumpets, Joshua said unto the people, Shout; for the LORD hath given you the city.” Joshua 6:15-16
We all know the rest of the story, how God gave the victory of Jericho to Joshua and the children of Israel. What a great story of God's faithfulness to His people. Have you ever pondered all that God can do with only faith and obedience. As I read this story recently I was reminded of what God expects of me. Faith and obedience....nothing more.
As I was talking with a fellow teacher today I was reminded of how we are called to be servants. I quickly thought back to the story and life of Joshua. What do servants do? They work. Who do they work for? Their master...who is my master? Who am I really working for? My students, their parents, other teachers, my supervisor, the school administrator?
No, I am working for the Lord. This is easy to remember until the work begins! Being a servant is hard, it takes true humility to be a servant, to daily die to what I want and rather do that which my Master asks of me. Am I willing to really WORK for my Master? I am so thankful for the recent time of rest that He gave me while visiting the States, however I am back ready to work. That is not going to be easy, but I will strive to do my best for Him.
When God told Joshua to march around Jericho, do you think Joshua understood? Did the Israelites question, or just obey? There is nothing written of their doubt, however what about their heart? Can I really trust when I don't understand what He is going to do? Can I really have the faith to work for Him when I do not see Him working? Do I really take Him completely at His word that He will reward our work of righteousness?
When Joshua was commissioned by God, He was told, “As I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” What an amazing promise from the One who made him! Is this what caused Joshua to have the courage and faith to utterly surrender to the Lord? Joshua chose to completely serve God, and that meant working for him. God called Joshua to be the leader of His people, was that an easy job? He has called me to teach.
Specifically this year He has called me to teach twenty-five five year old children who do not yet know Him as Savior. Sixteen boys and nine girls who do not naturally understand me yet. Is it going to be an easy job to teach them to read, count, and think in a language different than their own? NO! Will it be easy to train them to obey God and love Him completely no matter what others do? NO! However am I willing to do it with the same courage and faith of Joshua? At the end of Joshua's life it is said of him in Joshua 24:29, “Joshua, the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died.” May that be said of our lives, that we are His servants.
How can you help me work...pray!
*A better ability to think and speak in Spanish (especially with parents)
*To be a good leader to my new, 19 year old assistant
*Salvation of my 25 students and their families
*Strength, wisdom, and courage to do my best as their teacher
*Wisdom in making decisions regarding the future
*Obedience to God's Word and a deeper thirst for it
*Complete and utter surrender to my Lord
*Daily GIVING Christ my all...and allowing Him to BE my all
*Focus on the ministry God has called me to
*More opportunities to serve the Lord
Serving Our Savior,
April Brown
Joshua 1:9
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