“²I am about to go the way of all the earth. Be strong, and show yourself a man, ³and keep the charge of the LORD your God, walking in his ways and keeping his statutes, his commandments, his rules, and his testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn, ⁴that the LORD may establish his word that he spoke concerning me, saying, ‘If your sons pay close attention to their way, to walk before me in faithfulness with all their heart and with all their soul, you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.’” – 1 Kings 2:2-4 (ESV)

Here David is commissioning Solomon to take over for him as he is about to die. What I find here is the theme of encouragement that and instruction to do according to the will of God. Moses provided similar instructions to Joshua that God reiterated shortly after Moses died. And now, David gives these instructions to Solomon and the words of the LORD are passed on to him as well.

This theme gives me hope in the growth of leadership that springs from the following of God. It allows me to dig in and live more deliberately my mission to “Improve lives through growth and learning as an example of Christ’s love.” I know that I am doing the right things as I follow the and be the example of Christ’s love to all that I interact with, both directly and indirectly. I have these words of Moses, David, and more importantly of God that I am able to draw upon to give me the strength and courage to press on regardless of the circumstances around me.

As you are in the world, where are you pulling your strength from? What is your mission/purpose here in the world? What if you were to draw on the LORD and follow His example with strength and courage?

“³²For who is God, but the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God? ³³This God is my strong refuge and has made my way blameless. ³¹This God—his way is perfect; the word of the LORD proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.” – 2 Samuel 22:32-33 & 31 (ESV)

Refuge: (noun) shelter or protection from danger or distress; a place that provides shelter or protection; something to which one has recourse in difficulty (Merriam-Webster Online)

You see the verses and definition I have stated above. There is not really that much to unpack to me, although I will say that I took some time thinking, searching, and studying to determine what it all meant to me. I believe that the definition of “refuge” is what really helped me to understand for myself, especially the third part that indicates the “recourse in difficulty”.

I have, currently, and will have difficult times in my life. During those times I have, do, and will be looking for help in dealing with them. As a proud human man, I have a tendency to do things on my own (most of us have heard of the men that refuse to ask for directions). What I have found is that in those times when I am “on my own” the times seem to be even more difficult and the solutions seem to take forever. But, when I finally or make it a point to lean on God for help, everything falls into the place He would have them be in pretty short order.

Now I want to be clear, just as I have before. This leaning on God for help is not to just tell Him what we want and then walk away expecting it to happen. We still have a responsibility to take action based on the path He has for us. We should be allowing Him to “help” us as we work to find resolution. Where we find ourselves weak, He will provide the strength. Where we find walls, He will work to break them down or provide the path around them. Where we find resistance, He will provide the words and actions to soften it.

God is the strength we need in those difficult situations. He gives us the protection and tools to overcome the difficulty that pops up in this world as we do His will and follow the path He has for us.

When you are out there in the world, where are you drawing your strength to carry on? Are you doing your best to “do it yourself”? What if you were to rely on God to provide the strong guidance and break down the obstacles for you as you progress doing His will?

I hear from those in positions of power to “Do as I Say, not as I do”. Now, is that really the way things should be presented to others? I find it hard to swallow that it is ok for some to do as they wish without responsibility while lording over others to do the right thing and follow the rules.

“⁷Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. ⁸This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” – Joshua 1:7-8 (ESV)

See the verses above where God is speaking with Joshua who had just taken over for Moses after his death. In this passage that begins in verse 1, God is giving Joshua instructions on how to carry himself as he leads the people of Israel into the promised land. The verses I have quoted above indicate how Joshua is to act with regard to the law, with full obedience I might add.

Now, yes, during this time, there was the book of the law, the Torah, where everything was spelled out. But, the spirit of the instructions that God was giving Joshua at this time are what I am referencing this morning. You see, God was telling Joshua to lead the people through his actions and not must through his words. No “do as I say” actions would be acceptable. Joshua was instructed to lead with more of a “do as I do” philosophy. He was to live his life according to the law of God and thereby he would not be asking the people to do something that he himself did not or was not willing to do himself.

For me, God wants me to live my life according to His plan. That plan cannot be carried out properly if I am not in tune with doing things according to His law. Thankfully, God’s law supersedes all other law. I know what you may be thinking, that we still have the law of man, and you are right. But, when we are in tune with God’s law, that will put us in tune with the law of man. If for some reason there is a conflict between the two, God’s law is where we should be focusing our attention as that is where we will make the most impact of the people around us.

It is hard to follow the law of God as there are so many opportunities to “get ahead” in the eyes of man by simply bending the rules. But doing so takes us away from the tasks that God has planned for us. So, be strong and courageous to adhere to the law of God as you make your way through this world.

Have you been involved with or been the one that says “do as I say, not as I do”? How did it feel to be on the receiving end of those directives? What if we were strong and courageous enough to take the approach of “do as I do” and make sure that is in line with the law of God?

“⁶Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you. ⁷Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, ‘Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land that the LORD has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall put them in possession of it.’” – Deuteronomy 31:6-7 (ESV)

Verses 6 and 7 above remind to be strong and courageous. First Moses speaks to the people of Israel and then directly to Joshua, but the message is the same.

As he, Moses, was not going to be with the people when they cross the Jordan river into the promised land, he wanted them to know that it really mattered not. He wanted them to take comfort in that God would be with them and to assist in their acceptance of God’s grace and protection, he commissioned Joshua to take over the head position with them as they crossed into the promised land. And as he commissioned him, he gave the people and Joshua the same “pep talk” if you will. To be strong and courageous as they advanced for God would be with them every step of the way.

Thinking of how long the people of Israel were wandering and waiting to go into the promised land, I am sure that there was some apprehension as they got to this point. I know that I have waited for things and as they got closer and closer, I became a bit more anxious to get started and also to know if I was ready. I can only imagine the anxiety that was welling up with the Israelite people at this time. Here there leader, Moses, was letting them know that they would be completing the journey without him and although that would be the case, they should stand strong and courageously as they entered the promised land.

I think about myself and the journey that I am on and this passage reminds me to be strong and courageous as I move forward for God is with me and will protect and provide for me as I move on. Completing the journey for God is the end result and there is where my strength should be as I move forward. God has this in store for me and with that I should just move forward knowing that He will provide the result He has set in motion.

When you set out on the journey for God, how is your confidence? Are you feeling the anxiety of the journey and the unknown? What if you were to trust God and take the words of Moses to heart and be strong and courageous in the journey?

“¹⁹Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; ²⁰for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. ²¹Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.” –James 1:19-21 (ESV)

There is a good amount to take from these verses, but what I have been brought to this morning is related to the ability of the Word to save your soul. I am always looking for the nuggets of information to drive me to improvement and in verse 19 it begins with “let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak”. I witness people engaged in discussion with others and as I watch, it seems as though there is always one person that does all the talking, and usually, that person is the one that should truly be doing the listening. As noted in verse 19, we are to listen first and then speak.

It is a wonder what we will find when we listen first. In the context of these verses, it is up to us to hear the Word of God and when we do, we receive that which is able to save us. When we are listening, we are able to pick up the nuances of God’s Word that is said but not fully understood by just the mere words themselves. We are able to apply the Word of God in the context it was meant and not just based on the words that are said in passing.

The other part of listening to the Word of God is that we are able to avoid the pitfalls that come with reactionary actions. We slow down and focus which can remove us from harms way. Think about the time that you spent a few minutes praying and talking with God prior to a road trip. Once you are on the road, you come upon an accident that had happened 5 minutes before your arrival. Your time spent talking with and listening to God took you out of harms way and you were not in the accident, but came upon it.

The Word of God “is able to save your soul” in more ways than one. The opportunity for me to listen carefully and apply the Word in my life will lift me up out of adversity and make my pathway clear. It is up to me to engage with God and not just pray to Him, but listen to Him as He speaks.

When you are out there in the world, are you the one that does all of the talking? Are you willing to open your ears and listen to the Word of God? Will you allow the Word to be “able to save your soul”?

One of the marks of leadership is not asking your followers to do something that you have not are are not willing to do yourself. I know that I have worked under those that simply tell you what to do and give no hints or indication that they have or are willing to get their hands dirty because they are “too valuable” to do that kind of work. As the worker, I get really put off by this and have very little if any respect or willingness to follow such a person.

This could not be farther from the truth of Jesus. If you will remember, He followed God’s instruction to the letter even to the point of death. He has been there and frankly experienced more than any of us will ever experience. And he is more than willing to let us know of what occurred so we will know that He does understand.

“⁹But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.¹⁸For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” – Hebrews 2:9 & 18 (ESV)

You see, Jesus spent time in this world, walking as we do. He was subjected to all, if not more adversity than we. He suffered so much that He died, and yet he stayed the course so that we would not have to suffer the same fate. What a mark of being willing to do and actually getting His hands dirty in the work. Jesus, although He is the Son of God, was not “too valuable” to get out there and work right alongside His brothers and sisters to demonstrate the example of what right looks like.

Jesus is able to help us, first of all because He is who He is, but secondly, He knows what we are experiencing. Jesus tackled the world just as we do and as such understands what it is we are experiencing and offers His hand in help as one who knows the struggle first hand.

When you are in the world, where are you looking for help? What if you were to get the help from someone that had been there before? Is Jesus on the top of the list of those that you lean on for guidance and assistance?

I have chosen a career in learning. As a corporate training professional it is my chosen field to teach and transfer knowledge to others so that they may grow.

“²⁴And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, ²⁵correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, ²⁶and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.” – 2 Timothy 2:24-26 (ESV)

Here you see Paul’s words to Timothy that he is to be “able to teach”. But there is a lot more to it that we should take away. Paul points out that the teaching is for the good of the people that hear and bring glory to God in that “God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth”. This fits in line with my career in the corporate and business world, but more importantly in my life and path as a Christian. I bring glory to God and grant Him the opportunity to reach others. My teaching allows the learners to escape the devil’s bondage and join God in the glory that He presents to each of us.

“¹⁹But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: ‘The Lord knows those who are his,’ and, ‘Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.’” – 2 Timothy 2:19 (ESV)

It is my duty to teach the gospel to all, and God will take over from there. He “knows those who are his”, and He will reach them. I am there to bring the opening words to them and to plant the seeds of blessings to come from knowing The LORD. I have to remember that it is my job to teach them and turn them to God so that they can know Him and accept Him as their savior and allow Him to inhabit their hearts.

I have to be careful not to take it personal if/when I am rejected or oppressed for my beliefs and what I bring in the teaching that I am directed by God. He already has the path and results planned out for me and for Him. I am here to follow that path and strive for the results, knowing that as I am doing His will, I am bringing glory to Him. Whether or not my teaching reaches everyone, is not my concern. I am to do the work and allow glory to be to God.

What teaching are you doing and what are your expected results of that teaching? Are you doing it for you or for the glory of God? What if you taught all and allowed God to take it from there?

I will say that I have shortchanged the ability of God. I know that I have not given Him the chance to do ALL that I needed accomplished and took, and frankly take, to doing things on my own simply in the effort to get it done faster or because I did not believe that He was even working. What a heel I have been in those instances.

God will and does all that is needed to be done. He works to accomplish His work and sometimes that work is not in line with what I want. And that is okay by me, although I may not always see or act that way in the moment.

It is important for me to remember that God is doing the work that needs to be done and He is able to do and will do more than we know. He is working at all times and although it may not seem as though He is with us as we face adversity and obstacles, those may just be in the way to slow us down while He prepares the way for us to be successful.

“²⁰Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, ²¹to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” – Ephesians 3:20-21 (ESV)

God is way more capable than we generally give Him credit for. I admit to holding onto actions for myself, as I have questioned whether God would grant them to me in His wisdom. As such, I have not given Him the ability to be my Heavenly Father and grant me that which I seek. I may want for things and whereas God will provide for my needs, He will also provide some of my wants as a blessing to me for the actions that I have done for Him and in His name. It is not up to me to decide what He will give, it is up to me to ask for those things that I want, and if those happen to be in God’s plan for me, I will be given them with all blessing as He is able to and will do more than we give Him credit.

What out there have you shortchanged God’s ability to do or give? Are you working to do the will of God, or are you still working for yourself? What if you just gave everything to God and allowed Him to provide for your needs and wants as He sees fit?

How much do we remember of the suffering and enduring of Jesus? Well, He endured the temptations of Satan in the wilderness and of course the sufferings even to the point of death. I don’t know about you, but those were some pretty profound events that demonstrate just how much endurance Jesus had as He traveled this world.

How much temptation and suffering are we enduring each day? Well:

“¹³No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” – 1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV)

However much we are experiencing, God provides our way of taking it on and coming out on the other side still following Him and spreading the Gospel. God knows that we are human and that there are temptations that will arise daily. As such, He also makes sure that we have the tools to overcome them.

Daily I am presented with many opportunities to stray from the following of God and where I would like to say I always choose the righteous path, that would not be the truth. Sometimes I unconsciously take the path of least resistance and other times I consciously take the easy way. That is the difficulty of being here in this world and being human. I am presented with the ways of the world and have the opportunity to choose that way or the way of God.

As I just mentioned, I have not always, and will not always choose the right path. But, and here is the best part, God will always love me and provide the way for me to escape the wrong path. He knows I will stray, and although He does not want me to, He provides me the free will to choose and the free will to choose to come back to the right path with Him.

Here is where we have to be careful. We do not have the open season to actively walk away from God and only come back to Him when things get too tough for us and ask Him to take away our suffering. We must not use God as the safety net and take unmitigated risk in the world. What we are able to do is do His will each and every day, knowing that He is right there with us and will make sure that we are able to get through all of the trials, tribulations, temptations, and sufferings that will come with the tasks He asks of us as we do His will.

When you are in the world, are you always doing the will of God? What if you focused your attention to doing that which is pleasing to God? Did you know that God will provide your way to escape adversity so that you are able to endure all the difficulty presented?

“²⁵Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages ²⁶but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— ²⁷to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.” – Romans 16:25-27 (ESV)

God provides for us through all that He does and it best part is that He told us long ago about what He was going to do. See there in verse 26 as Paul exclaims that all of the prophets were true and their prophesies, at this time, were coming true. What a testament to the glory of God. He said what would happen and low and behold, it is happening.

I look around in the world and see so many examples of the exact opposite going on. And those goings on are coming from those that the world says we are to be in awe of, only to find that they are not the upstanding bearers of the truth that they have been made out to be. And when they fail, the excuses abound to “save” their reputation and make them out to be victims of some sort.

These are things that I have to remember to take with me daily into this world. With God, this does not happen. God is full of integrity in all that He does. He says it will be done and then it is. He does not lie and He does not deceive. God has a plan and that plan will be carried out. He made His plan known through the prophets and then carried them out and proved those plans and prophesies correct.

Thanks to the integrity and love that God has for me, I can trust that what He says, He will do. I have to continuously remember and be reminded of that and take it with me into the world. His love and integrity make it possible to for me to now be able to give all glory to Him as Paul exclaims in verse 27 above.

When you approach the world, what is your view of the integrity it has to offer? How are you bringing the integrity and love of God into the world? Are you now able to give all glory to God?