Arise

Would you like to know what God says when he calls his servant? This was the word that God spoke to Joshua, “Arise”. He did not give many explanations, did not make a long speech, but with a single word said all that Joshua needed to hear.

“Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them—the children of Israel.” Joshua 1: 2

The meaning of arise is: (opportunity, or situation) emerge; become apparent. This word says so much! How often we tell God to use us, and that we want to serve Him more; but when God says arise it is to do what He wants and not what we would like to, even if it seems  difficult for us, above our capacity or way too much of a sacrifice.

Not always what God wants from us is what we are willing to give. Sometimes God asks us things that we do not like to do, but when we put ourselves at His disposal means that we accept to be used the way He wants.

I think that for Joshua it was not easy to take the responsibility of leading the people of Israel to the Promised Land, for the people were often rebellious, murmuring and disobeying; he had seen it all over the last few years that he helped Moses. It would be a hard task. Knowing that God said, arise Joshua, meaning you must be useful to me, I need to use you in this mission.

We can never do God's work in a limited way, only what pleases us, or brings us pleasure. Often God asks us things that we do not like too much, or we do not feel ready, but this is when we show that we are servants.

God gives us so many opportunities to serve Him, but without “realizing” we neglect it. We cannot forget that to serve God is to serve others, this includes our work mates.

As God told Joshua He tells us too, “arise” to accomplish the plan that I set for you, although it is different from yours.

This is a message for all the servants, for those who really want to do God's work and not theirs!

And you, are you available to God?