When we read the Bible we can apply their stories to our spiritual walk with the Lord. Let’s say you are a Somali Christian or you are thinking about becoming one. How could we apply the Book of Joshua to your spiritual life? Let’s take a walk through the Book and see what items we could find that reflects what is going on in your life as a new believer or someone who is thinking about asking Jesus Christ to enter into their hearts.
The first thing that God tells Joshua in chapter 1 of the Book of Joshua is to: “This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Excellent word for you as new Somali believer or someone knows the peace Christ can give your heart: be strong and courageous. God asked Joshua to cross the river Jordan with the Israelite people and attack the Canaanites. God is asking you to cross from kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light; but He is also asking you to cross into the family of God and be known as a Christian. And this no doubt brings certain fears into your heart and mind. And to you God says “Be strong and courageous.”
What else can we find in the Book of Joshua that reflects what is going on in your life as a new Somali believers or seeker of the truth. In chapter 6 we read about the Israelites and their attack on the city of Jericho. How does this apply to your life?
We read in chapter 6 how the Israelites did not attack the city of Jericho directly: God told them to walk around the city blowing their rams horns and walking silently around the city. Then on the 7th day of walking around the city the people of Israel shouted and the walls and the gates came crashing down and the Israelites went it and took what they wanted. It says in verse 20: “When the people heard the sound of the rams’ horns, they shouted as loud as they could. Suddenly, the walls of Jericho collapsed, and the Israelites charged straight into the town and captured it.
So as a Somali Christian do not worry about all the arguments you will need to say when others find out you’re a Christian; pray about it and keep praying about it. One day the walls of misunderstanding will come crashing down and some of your family members will know that Jesus Christ is Lord. Don’t be afraid and don’t be discouraged; be strong and courageous; and pray for your family, friend and nation everyday and we will see many more Somalis accepting Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour.
And here is an important item we can learn from the Book of Joshua that applies to your life as a Somali Christian or someone seeking peace in your soul from God. In chapter 7 we read about an Israelite man who was there at Jericho fight but who stole some items from Jericho that the Lord told the Israelites to destroy. There was a curse on the Israelite army because of this sin. So when you become a Somali Christian, or when you become one, don’t keep some of the teachings you used to believe in your heart and follow them; don’t keep doing the thing you used to do in the past when you know that the Lord would not want you to do them; this will negatively affect your walk with the Lord and your spiritual walk.
It says in chapter 7:
“But Israel violated the instructions about the things set apart for the Lord. A man named Achan had stolen some of these dedicated things, so the Lord was very angry with the Israelites….(later on in the chapter it says) Achan replied, “It is true! I have sinned against the Lord, the God of Israel. Among the plunder I saw a beautiful robe from Babylon, 200 silver coins, and a bar of gold weighing more than a pound. I wanted them so much that I took them. They are hidden in the ground beneath my tent, with the silver buried deeper than the rest.”
So as a Somali Christian don’t turn back to the things you found so precious in your previous life, your life before you became a Christian. Jesus Christ is now your treasure; following God and reading the Bible are your sources of strength; it says in Psalm 23: “The Lord is my shepherd and He will provide for me everything I need.” This is a good work for you my dear Somalis…the Lord is your shepherd; do not fear people or do what they tell you to do because you are afraid of them. Follow the Lord and do not be afraid; be strong and courageous.
In chapter 11 many enemies of God’s people unite under their kings to fight the Israelites but the Israelites defeat them. This is same with you. Many Somalis may unite under their clan leaders and come against you; but they will not defeat you. God is stronger than the clan system; God is stronger than any opposition the devil may have against you; stand firm in the Lord and trust in Him and He will bless and help you.
God promised a certain amount of the land to the Israelites. But it was the job of the Israelites to cross the river and do the work to take the land that God had promised them. What about you my dear Somali brother or sister Christian? What are you doing to win your friends, family and country to the Lord Jesus Christ? Haven’t you been given instructions from the Lord to go and preach the gospel? Aren’t you supposed to be working somehow to share the Gospel and love of Jesus Christ with someone?
Throughout the rest of the Book of Joshua we read how the Israelites failed to complete the mission and mandate that the Lord gave them: take the entire land for the Lord; that is our mission at Somali Christian Ministries. Our mission is to take the gospel message – the Word of the Lord – to every Somali in the world. How this is to be done is only known to the Lord – but we are ready to do it.
My word to you is that you continue serving the Lord and trusting in Him and following Him; do not turn back to your old ways. Do not turn back to those useless things you used to do that did not bring you life, peace and joy.
Jesus Christ promised us eternal life and an abundant life. Let us keep trusting in Him and following Him.
Amen.