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Judges 1:1
After the death of Joshua, the Israelites asked the LORD, Who will be the first to go up and fight for us against the Canaanites?
The good thing that Israelites did after the death of Joshua is asking advice from the Lord or in other words praying to the Lord. Today do we take to the Lord the needs in our minsitry? The experiences, talents, gifts..., can take our life to some extent. If there is confusion of where we are heading towards it is better for us to kneel down and pray and ask God specifically like the Israelites.
Proverbs 3:5,6
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Colossians 3:1,2
1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
As disciples our focus is to set our hearts on things above., set our minds on things above, not on earthly things.
Three possible answers for the question Who will do?:
1. You Do
If this is the answer then we must be ready to do that. May be that should be in the higher priority. Like in the parable of the lost sheep, one lost soul is higher priority than taking care of the 99 sheep. There will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than organizing retreats, camps, discipling groups, Sunday services, special services for the 99 in our minsitries!!
There will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than attending retreats, camps, discipling groups, Sunday services, special services with the 99 in our minsitries!! Different needs are there in different ministries, when God has put a burden in our heart, then that burden should be given higher priority.
Judges 1:2
The LORD answered, "Judah is to go; I have given the land into their hands."
When we pray God will answer who will fulfill that need in our ministries. Everything in the world belongs to us as we belong to God. What are we known for as a Church? What are we known for as a disciple? God wanted us to pray for harvesters. Are we known for raising up harvesters or raising up funds? Funds are like the lands in Canaan which God has promised to give us. We need harvesters to capture them.
Few possible kind of excuses could be :
(i). I am too busy. I have lot of other things to do.
(ii). Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt? - Moses (Exo.3:11)
(iii). if the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders. - Gideon (Judg. 6:13)
(iv) Lord, what about him? - Peter (John 21:21) ...
2. Let Him Do
Imagine if Simeonities asked the question Who will do? and they in their mind wanted to lead, and God answering Judah to lead? When Judah called Simeonites for help they helped them with all their heart. When God has chosen someone to do certain things in His Kingdom are we behind that someone?
Judges 1:3
Then the men of Judah said to the Simeonites their brothers, "Come up with us into the territory allotted to us, to fight against the Canaanites. We in turn will go with you into yours." So the Simeonites went with them.
It takes heart and humility to think for someones responsibility and build them up.
Philippians 2:3-4
3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.
4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Even though David wanted to build a temple for the Lord, when the Lord told Solomon would build it, David was very grateful. He prepared most of the things for Solomon to build it.
Few possible kind of excuses could be :
(i) It is your calling, you do it. I will do mine.
(ii) I am hurt. I am not recognized. There is no trust.
......
3. No One
God told Moses, no one would enter the promised land except for Caleb and Joshua. If this is the answer then there should be some major repentance. Who knows God can show grace like in the days of Nineveh. Before any great restoration there was a time of fasting, praying and repentance. Like for example before Nehemiah came back to Jerusalem, Daniel prayed and fasted for the people of Israel,.. God expected Isaiah to preach until the cities lie ruined and without inhabitant
Isaiah 6:11
Then I said, "For how long, O Lord?" And he answered: "Until the cities lie ruined and without inhabitant, until the houses are left deserted and the fields ruined and ravaged,
Few possible kind of excuses could be :
1. We are too busy to see what is in Gods heart.
2. Let God do whatever in His mind.
3. We are content with our glory days or the present scenario.
Hebrews 10:35-39
35 So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.
36 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.
37 For in just a very little while, "He who is coming will come and will not delay.
38 But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him."
39 But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.
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