The bible is clear in that we will face issues and problems in our life. They will come in many different ways and when we are not expecting them. James tells us to see these problems as pure joy. How is this so? God uses our problems to: (1) prove our faith; (2) develop perseverance; (3) produce maturity; (4) develop our character. How should we respond? We need to keep our focus on God and rejoice, pray and trust Him to see us through our issues and problems.

Through Joshua, God reminds the people of Israel of what He has done for them as they moved from captivity in Egypt to the promised land in Canaan. The people are told to fear the Lord and serve Him with all faithfulness. When we see what God has done for us, what is our response? We need to come before God with humility and commit ourselves to serve Him. We need to 'throw away' things that come between us and Jesus and allow Him to lead our lives.

Joshua and the Israelites have an amazing victory in the battle with Jericho, but there was a condition to this victory, all the spoil had to be given to God. This did not happen and now the people of Israel have become self confident and not relying on God. It is their disodedience to God and their own self confidence that see them lose a battle with the city of Ai. Joshua and the Israelites had failed God and in this passage we see the sin of disobedience but also the sin of omission - not doing what should have been done. What can we learn? (1) God does not want us to be self confident but to be God confident. We are to rely on God and not on our own strength; (2) God wants us to be in a relationship with Him, spending time in prayer and His word; (3) God wants us to obey Him. He wants us to focus on His ways and the not the ways of the world.

Jesus' greatest commandment is to love everyone. As Christians, what we believe in is important, but if we don't love everyone, we don't know God. Very few people will find Jesus in a church. Our commission is to allow people to find Jesus where ever we go and witness to others. In everything we do for Jesus we need to remain connected to Him. Ministry without Jesus in the centre will not succeed. In the song "Day by Day" from the musical Godspell, three simple lines sum up the challenge for Christians: (1) to see Thee more clearly, (2) love Thee more dearly, (3) follow Thee more nearly.

Joshua was not strong and courageous in his own right - he needed God to be with him. Joshua found strength from God’s faithfulness in the past, His presence in the present and His promise for the future. When Joshua received God's call he responded immediately and prepared to move forward with God. Like Joshua, our life should be one surrender and submission to God that separates us from the ways of this world. We should strive to be Christ-like as we serve Him.