BUT… (Part II) …Shut Up & Color

by Audrey Wauson

Compare the Last generation’s reaction (Numbers 13) to God’s desire to bring them into a wonderful and glorious place with the Next generation’s reaction (Joshua 1)…

Joshua 1:1-11 After the death of Moses the LORD's servant, the LORD spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' assistant. He said, "Moses My servant is dead. Therefore, the time has come for you to lead these people, the Israelites, across the Jordan River into the land I am giving them. I promise you what I promised Moses: 'Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you—from the Negev wilderness in the south to the Lebanon mountains in the north, from the Euphrates River in the east to the Mediterranean Sea in the west, including all the land of the Hittites.' No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you.

"Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do.

Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.

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."

…Joshua then commanded the officers of Israel, "Go through the camp and tell the people to get their provisions ready. In three days you will cross the Jordan River and take possession of the land the LORD your God is giving you."

…Jos 1:16 They answered Joshua, "We will do whatever you command us, and we will go wherever you send us.

While we were stationed in Panama, one day my husband was in his commander’s office griping. Finally, his commander just looked at him and said, “Ssgt Wauson, just shut up and color.” We can either focus on the negative, coloring our world in ugly, non-matching colors, and be like that generation that died in the wilderness…just a stone’s throw from the promised land … OR we can accept that God knows what He’s talking about … We can believe that if God tells us to do something, even though it might be hard, or scary, or … He is God, and He knows what He’s asking us to do, and He knows that we can do it with His help …. and “just shut up and color.” We can color our world with the beautiful colors of peace, joy, love. We can color our thoughts with everything that is pure, and lovely. (Philippians 4:8) What color is your world?