FEBRUARY 2024.
Moses was surely one of the greatest men who ever lived. Although he wasn’t perfect, with God’s authority, he gathered the people of Israel together and led them to freedom. What a pillar of strength he must have been to the Israelites! And yet, as Joshua 1 reminds us, a time came when he was taken from among them. As difficult a time as this must have been, the Israelite’s story didn’t come to an end when Moses died because it was the Lord and not Moses who was their true source of strength. “Moses my servant is dead,” the Lord had said to Joshua in Joshua 1:2, but He went on to say, “Now therefore arise.” Although Moses had been an important piece in God’s puzzle, Joshua was not to fix his eyes on Moses, nor on himself, but on the Lord as he set his mind to all that lay ahead.
Who are the people in our lives who have been pillars of strength in our daily lives and in our faith journeys? With a thankful heart, I can think of several people in my life who have been used by God to strengthen and encourage me along the way. Some are still alive and some have passed away, but what really matters is that they helped point me to Christ who is the true source of strength and courage. Philippians 4:13 reminds us that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us, and similarly in Joshua 1, Joshua is commanded to find his strength and courage in the LORD. Joshua 1:9 reads, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Previous generations in Guernsey have known the strength of some devout people serving in positions of leadership. Our generation may, or may not know the same privilege, but whether or not we see godly leaders arising on national and international levels in the coming days, may we as the people of NLC be strong and courageous in the knowledge that Christ is our true source of strength and courage.