The Brave Ones First

Nov. 9

Read: Joshua 1:10-18

The Brave Ones First

“…but all the men of valor among you shall pass over armed before your brothers and shall help them…” (v.14)

The brave ones go first. There is nothing shameful or wrong about this, it is simply the truth. God’s plan involves the “men of valor” to bravely blaze a trail… to go ahead of the women, children, and other “brothers”. These men of valor are “armed” and ready for the fight. God is using them to clear the way!

It is interesting how God does this really… the way that he sends a person to “prepare the way” and to “make the path straight”. Think of how God sent John the Baptist before Jesus declaring: “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.” (John 1:23) He sent someone ahead of Jesus to meet him and clear the way. We may think this only applies to the messiah - but in reality God has been doing this all along, just as he does here in Joshua 1. The Lord is faithful to raise up those people of valor who will boldly go ahead under the direction of the Lord and blaze a trail… be the first through the door… to face the enemy and the unknown.

Jesus is the one who does this for all of us as Christians. hebrews 12 says that Jesus is the trailblazer who goes before us. This is the word that is translated “author” in the english most often. When it says that Jesus is the “author and finisher of our faith” it mens that Jesus is the one who goes before us and clears the way as well as follows behind us to ensure we are safe. (cf. Heb. 12:2) In Psalms 139:5 says “You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me.” The Lord has always been faithful to send someone ahead of us to clear the way and make it safe.

This is what God was doing for the Israelites here in Joshua 1, and this is what he is doing through Jesus for us now. Jesus goes courageously before us as the ultimate “man of valor” so then we can boldly follow him and go before others to be used by the Lord to protect, guide, and welcome into the fullness of what God has. Our valor and courage is rooted in our confidence and trust in Christ… in a way, this is FAITH. God has equipped us with the weapons that we need so that we do not forge ahead unarmed:

“For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ…” (2 Cor. 10:3-5, 6:7, Eph. 6:10-20)

Would you answer the call of the Lord even if it meant facing the unknown? Who are the proverbial “men of valor” … those people whom God has sent bravely ahead of YOU in life? Who is God calling YOU to “blaze a trail for” as you follow Christ? Are you afraid? Take heart. Be strong and courageous, the Lord goes before you… Jesus is your trailblazer… you are not alone. He has armed you fro the battle ahead. Ask the Lord for the courage to be a person of VALOR who is rightly armed and goes ahead of others into the unknown. This is how God works in the midst of his people. Love you guys. -JDP