8. God is Present
8. God is Present
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or dismayed, for the Lord your God is (present) with you wherever you go.” [Joshua 1:9]
We live in a world that demand’s conformity. There are cultural patterns we are asked to live according to in this world, which some honor God and others don’t! As long as we are willing to live according to the pattern of this we don’t need strength or courage or God for that matter. But as soon as we make a stand to “not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” in Christ Jesus it takes enormous amounts of courage and strength. Although we know that God cares for us and is willing to help, we need a God who is present and with us wherever we go so we can be set apart from this current darkness called our life.
So as God called Joshua to be strong and courageous as he and the Israelites stepped into new territory, he also called them to be set apart and consecrated into the Lord.
“Joshua told the people, consecrate yourselves unto the Lord for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you”. [Joshua 3:5]
In the same way, Gods presence is calling and convicting us to be set apart from the culture of this world.
”So what does it look like to set ourselves apart unto the Lord in our own lives? How do we, each in our own circles and realities, dedicate our lives “as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God” [Romans 12:1]. What are the things in our lives that we have adopted from the sinful culture around us that the Lord is calling us to lay down? And how do we rather than simply ‘not’ doing sinful things, instead choose to grab onto the promises and truth given to us by our great and mighty God” (Abraham Schaeffer). God is real and present and is calling us in this present moment to be set apart to Him
Scripture Reference:
Numbers 6:1-7
“The Lord said to Moses, “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘If a man or woman wants to make a special vow, a vow of dedication to the Lord as a Nazirite, they must abstain from wine and other fermented drink and must not drink vinegar made from wine or other fermented drink. They must not drink grape juice or eat grapes or raisins. As long as they remain under their Nazirite vow, they must not eat anything that comes from the grapevine, not even the seeds or skins. “ ‘During the entire period of their Nazirite vow, no razor may be used on their head. They must be holy until the period of their dedication to the Lord is over; they must let their hair grow long. “ ‘Throughout the period of their dedication to the Lord, the Nazirite must not go near a dead body. Even if their own father or mother or brother or sister dies, they must not make themselves ceremonially unclean on account of them, because the symbol of their dedication to God is on their head.”
Joshua 1:9
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9
Discussion Questions:
- What are some culturally acceptable behaviors at your school that are not acceptable to Gods Kingdom and people?
- What in your life might God be calling you to be set apart from?
- Are you willing to look different from the people around you? Even if there is a cost to your decision?
- What might be some of the costs of being set apart or consecrated to the Lord.
Assignment:
Take a moment to read Numbers 6:1-7 and then write in your journal what it would look like for you to make a modern day Nazarite vow to be set apart unto God from the world that you live in.
STAR
S – Scripture Read: Read the Scripture
T – Thought Conveyed: What is it saying to you?
A – Application Made: How do you apply this scripture to your life?
R – Response Given: Respond back to God with a prayer