Title
The Assistant
Scripture
After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, it came to pass that the Lord spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' assistant . . .
(Joshua 1:1)
Devotional
Who is following in your footsteps? Who is in line to take the reins of your life when you leave this life? Can you imagine what would have happened to the people if Moses had not chosen a successor? Every life merits an understudy. If you belong to Christ, you are the head and not the tail. (1) Every head has someone or something following it. If there is no mentoring, training, or preparing a successor, we will inevitably end up with a godless society. Oh, there will be leaders, but they will be the equivalent of the tail wagging the dog.
If we fail to mentor and disciple our children and those God has placed under our authority, we fail the following generation. Likewise, if we are not submitting ourselves to the authorities God has placed in our lives, we will fail this present generation and subsequent generations. Remember before Joshua led, he followed; he was Moses' assistant.
Text For The Day
Joshua 1:1: After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, it came to pass that the Lord spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant…
Thought For The Day
“When you meet a man or woman who puts Jesus Christ first, knit that one to your soul.” Oswald Chambers, So I Send You/Workmen of God (Discovery House, 1993
Questions To Ponder
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Has God ever raised up a spiritual leader without an assistant(s)?
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To whom have you assisted, or are you assisting?
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Who is assisting you? Consider substituting the term “assistant” with: mentor, guide, teacher, counselor, etc.
Morning Study Guide
Defining: “Assistant”: (Sharat “to minister, serve, officiate”). This word is a common term in Hebrew usage and is found just under 100 times in the Hebrew Old Testament. The first time it is used in the Hebrew Bible is in the story of Joseph, as he becomes the slave of Potiphar.
Referencing: “I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea, that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her in whatever business she has need of you; for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also,” Romans 16:1-2.
Applying: If God calls you to be second, learn to be second and content until God calls you to the lead.