How to 'Take the Land' God has Given You

As parents, that 'land' can mean a number of things, but I believe it must include successfully leading our children spiritually. Success could be defined as raising children to know Christ personally, and putting in them the 'mind of Christ' by teaching them the Word and consistently helping them apply it.

Joshua was told He would be given the Land He was to lead God's people into, and that God would "be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you." (Joshua 1:5)

What I want to point out to you today is what is requires to 'take the land.' In our application, it is what is required to lead our families successfully.

Three times in the next four verses Joshua is told to "be strong and of good courage," once with 'very' before good courage. The Hebrew words used for strong and courage here mean to 'be brave,' 'determined,' 'alert', 'hold fast', 'firm.'

So the first requirement is to be strong and courageous. Parenting frequently requires this. Maybe not is the classic, macho sense of protection and physical strength, but in the emotional fortitude to stand your ground, to confront wrong's your child faces, to stand with them in troubled times. I know Moms and Dads who are not 'strong and courageous' even when facing their child's emotional outbursts -- these parents would rather let the child have their (wrong) way that suffer short-term emotional discomfort. That is wimpy parenting!

The second requirement is be obedient to the Word of God. God tells Joshua in verse 7, "Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moes My servant commanded you." Then in verse 8, "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success."

See, God says twice to obey His Word, indicating to speak His Word ("shall not depart from your mouth"), to study His Word comprehensively ("you shall meditate in it day and night").

The third requirement, arguably a sub-point of the second, is that we must be unwavering ("do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left") in our obedience and focus on the Word of God. This instruction comes with a promise: "For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.")

Parents, don't you want to 'take the land,' i.e., in this illustration, to have victory in the leadership of your family? God wants that for you! Family was His idea. Study His Word, because He know how to do family! He is the 'perfect Father.'

You must strong and courageous! I interrupted writing this blog for a 1-hour discussion with a dad who needed to show 'strength and courage' to face teenagers who were bucking his standards. He needed to know the Word of God more, so he would know what to tell them. He needed to set standards and be unwavering. It's hard work -- but when we know Christ, we have the power of the Holy Spirit!

Today I challenge you as parents -- if you are a couple -- to ask these questions:

In what area of parenting/leadership of the home do I need to show more strength and courage?

Am I being obedient to what God has has instructed me in my personal life and leadership of my family?

Am I unwavering (the contrast is that you are sending mixed signals that destroy confidence and foundation)?

Be strong and courageous!

NOTES, QUOTES, LINKS, COMMENTS & COOL STUFF!

1 -- "But the Lord said to me, 'Do not say, "I am only a child," ' You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you." -- Jeremiah 1:7. Now this is an interesting verse in context of a family with teens. When do you trust your kids to act and speak 'as the Spirit leads,' and when do you not? We must trust them to some extent, and yet their view cannot be that they are free to speak as they wish and hide behind it.

2 -- "Work hard and become a leader; be lazy and become a slave." -- Proverbs 12:24. Robin Bryce (RobinBryce on Twitter) comments that this is a 'no brainer, but not easy.' So many people take the 'easy' way out, and it turns out not to be easy! Let's teach our kids EARLY how to work, and the virtues of leadership will rise in them as they do it.

3 -- "No one can become my disciple without giving up everything for me." -- Luke 14:33. Soooo, how do you teach that one to your children? It should be a thought-provoking, soul-searching, Scripture-mining question. 'Giving up everything' is not what our culture and the 'American Dream' is about. How do we begin to change that in our home? Feel free to comment on this blog so I and others can consider.

4 -- In context of the national championship football game tonight (Thursday), see Colt McCoy's strong testimony at http://www.iamsecond.com/.

5 -- You know it's a God idea when you don't have the people, resources, or even a clue of how to do it, but it will bring Him glory! (via @Barbaragraves on Twitter). So what is your family doing that requires God?

6 -- "Once we get intimate with Jesus we are never lonely and we never lack for understanding or compassion." -- Oswald Chambers. This is a vital truth that we must work, work, work to help our children understand. It will protect them from wrong relationships by send them to the right source for comfort!

7 -- Great interview with Alex Kendrick -- director of Facing the Giants and Fireproof -- on being a courageous Father. http://www.billygraham.org/News_Article.asp?ArticleID=757