Indestructible Life
You have the opportunity to live with resurrection power and divine authority as you find your new life in Christ.
“After a long time had passed and the Lord had given Israel rest from all their enemies around them, Joshua, by then a very old man, summoned all Israel—their elders, leaders, judges and officials—and said to them: “I am very old. You yourselves have seen everything the Lord your God has done to all these nations for your sake; it was the Lord your God who fought for you...Be very strong; be careful to obey all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, without turning aside to the right or to the left. Do not associate with these nations that remain among you; do not invoke the names of their gods or swear by them. You must not serve them or bow down to them. But you are to hold fast to the Lord your God, as you have until now. You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the Lord your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed."
Joshua 23:1-3, 6-16
Joshua gives his farewell speech. His instruction to the people ends with the same way that his time in leadership began. He says be strong and courageous. These were the same words that God said to him. Do you notice that before Joshua encourages them to be strong, he reminds them of how God has already been strong?
What is Joshua really saying here? He is saying that your life should reflect God. As God is strong, so should you be. As God has been faithful, so should you be. As God has not failed you, then you should not fail Him. There is a harmony and balance that exists in any good relationship. Joshua tells the people that the way to live an indestructible life is to live in relationship with and to reflect God.
“Save us and help us with your right hand, that those you love may be delivered. Who will bring me to the fortified city? Who will lead me to Edom? Give us aid against the enemy, for human help is worthless. With God we will gain the victory, and he will trample down our enemies.”
Psalms 60:1, 4-5, 9-12
The key word in this passage is victory. What does that mean to you? Where would you like to see victory in your life? Are there any places you do not feel victorious? The Hebrew term is rich with meaning. It means military strength, a life of bravery, excellence in ability, and wealth of resources.
Can you see how perfectly that connects with what Joshua says about the life that we are called to live in relationship with God? Even more than our accomplishments, God wants to shape our approach. He alone is in control of the outcomes of our effort. He wants to see His strength and spirit reflected in our attitude and our effort. Where do you need to be brave? Where have you lacked confidence even though you have the spirit of Christ living in you?
“A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man. There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community. My son, keep your father’s command and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. Bind them always on your heart; fasten them around your neck. When you walk, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you. For this command is a lamp, this teaching is a light, and correction and instruction are the way to life”
Proverbs 6:5, 10-11, 16-23
Jesus says blessed are the poor in spirit, so there can be times where the word poverty can be a positive. However, in this passage Solomon challenges those who have a poverty mindset. What is that exactly? The poverty mindset is the opposite of the victorious mindset. The poverty mindset sees resources as limited and operates out of fear of not having enough. The poverty mindset never glorifies nor reflects the generosity of God.
What does honor God? A life of continual examination and a heart of humility. Wisdom tells us that the indestructible life is one of correction and instruction. Note that Solomon does not say perfection and satisfaction. We are all called to continually examine our hearts, minds, and bodies to see if we are in right alignment with our righteous king. Intimacy with God invites us to course correct faster and realize that we are walking the narrow road not the road that is without failure at times. Where could you use course correction? How are you building in patterns to receive instruction? We are all meant to be growing and learning every day.
“The vision of Obadiah. This is what the Sovereign Lord says about Edom...See, I will make you small among the nations; you will be utterly despised. The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rocks and make your home on the heights, you who say to yourself, ‘Who can bring me down to the ground?’...The day of the Lord is near for all nations. As you have done, it will be done to you; your deeds will return upon your own head.”
Obadiah 1:1-4, 8, 10-11, 15-17, 21
Truth is constantly talking to us. The question is whether we have ears to hear. What is one of the deepest pitfalls on the journey? Pride. We have all been around people who seem supremely confident and confidence is a good thing. It can help in sports, business, and relationships. Confidence is attractive. God likes confidence. The word for faith is better expressed as confidence in God.
Mark Batterson has said that anything we don't turn into praise can turn into pride. Confidence is great, but if we do not give God the glory then confidence can sink our ships. God reminds us to always keep the right perspective. God is God. We are not. God numbers our days and knows our hearts. Have you stopped to see if you have any ways in which pride is creeping into your heart? King David had a great practice to counter this. He knelt in prayer and asked God to search him and reveal any unpleasing thing. This was a daily practice that kept his heart pure from the sin of pride.
“If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood—and indeed the law given to the people established that priesthood—why was there still need for another priest to come, one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron? For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed also. And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life. The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God."
Hebrews 7:1, 4-7, 11-12, 15-16, 18-19, 22, 24-28
Have you ever felt the weight of performance? Have you measured your relationship with God in terms of how much good you have done or how well you have followed the rules? How did you end up feeling? Did you feel good enough or left wanting? We live in a culture that praises performance and often for good reasons. There is something beautiful about achievement, growth, and excellence in any field. The problem is when we get into the comparison trap or start believing the lie that we have to earn our salvation. Paul calls this out. He says that the way to salvation that was found through the law made nothing perfect. It was weak and useless. The very opposite of the type of life that Joshua and David longed for us to live.
What does help us? What can give us victory over the performance mindset? How can we find the power of the indestructible life? The bible teaches us that there is victory in surrender. As we surrender control of outcomes, control of our hearts, control of what other people do or think, then we find the intimacy with Jesus that will bring victory in our lives. Ultimately, we can find freedom in following Jesus Christ. The goal in Joshua and in Jesus day is intimacy with God. Paul says that the better hope helps you draw near to God because Jesus removes all the barriers that stand between us.
So how do we live an indestructible life? We spend time with the one who has never lost a battle. We choose to make room for Him. We abide, dwell, and listen. Jesus said my sheep hear my voice. Do you want to know how to overcome the hardest thing you are facing? Talk to Jesus. Listen to His guidance. Solomon says this comes through correction and instruction, but the key is who is doing the correcting. The world loves to tell you what to do and how to live your life. Jesus is the only one who is trustworthy and His voice is the one that needs to have the greatest authority. He wants to give you more power. He wants to give you more peace. He wants you to experience the joy of finding meaning and purpose. So give Him the reigns and let Him lead you to a life that is both everlasting and indestructible.