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Matthew West “You Are Everything” 

Scripture
Rather, cling tightly to the Lord your God as you have done until now. For the Lord has driven out great and powerful nations for you, and no one has yet been able to defeat you. Each one of you will put to flight a thousand of the enemy, for the Lord your God fights for you, just as he has promised. So be very careful to love the Lord your God. Joshua 23:8-11

Observation
Soldiers should love their General. It is not enough just to obey him. Warriors must love their commanding officer so that their heart is fully engaged.

The General, of course, is the Lord, the recruits naturally are us and the war is life around us as we now find it. For men, it’s great to have Joshua in the Bible. Let the girls have Ruth; Joshua is a boys book of heroes and blood baths. In this book men learn how to follow God.

But the description of trekking after Jesus doesn’t sound very masculine. We are told to cling to God. That sounds weak and dependent until we understand the strength of the Lord. Our heavenly Father is so strong and caring that it is safe for a man to be weak in his presence. There is no where else that it is safe for men to be weak except in the presence of God. He will never abuse our vulnerability instead he will always use it.

Application
God is the one who can drive out nations, send a legion running and help us to face another day. All of that strength can be ours if we will do but one thing: love him violently. The word “cling” also means to run in pursuit of the Lord and never letting go. If we are allowed as men to do any strong thing it is to lay down every ambition we have and to run hard after God. In desperation is true power.

Prayer
Father, today I cling to you because all of this comes from you and not from me. Amen.