Challenges can quickly come upon many Christians when they are summoned to help another. Being uprooted from a lazy boy and loosening one’s grip on a bag of chips will, at times, prove not to be an easy task. Nevertheless, there are times in which the Christian is called to action. This will often take place when a fellow Christian needs help.
This can come in many shapes and sizes. Maybe someone is planning a big move and needs some help in loading a truck. Maybe a person has experienced a death in his family and needs someone to talk to. Sometimes there are people in the church who are having a difficult time applying the Word of God to their lives and who need a more mature Christian to come alongside them. If you have a skill or trade that you have developed over the years and you notice someone in the church who would benefit greatly from your helping him, it is time for action.
All of these types of examples and more abound in the Christian life. In the book of Joshua 1:12-15, we can see a time in which the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Mannaseh were summoned to help their fellow people. The following are six ways that you, too, can fight for the good of others:
- Fighting for the good of others by embracing your calling
Scripture says, “And to the Reubenites, and to the Gadites, and to the half-tribe of Mannaseh, spake Joshua…” (Jos. 1:12). In this portion of Scripture, Joshua directs his focus on these tribes. In the verses that follow, Joshua calls them to action. Each person has a unique calling on his life.
It is hard to know where the Lord will have any particular Christian 1, 2, 5, or 10 years from now. However, there comes a time in the life of every Christian when God is calling him to move. Not simply move to a new geographical location, but move to do something and make a difference in his world.
God has revealed His Word to every believer. Deuteronomy 29:29 tells us that there is a secret will that belongs to God alone. This is His will that He has not revealed to the Christian. However, this verse also states that there is a portion of God’s will that has been revealed to us, namely His Word. His Word is to be followed in all of life. And, as one lives by God’s Word, God’s secret will will be revealed in time.
This is important to grasp because, along the way, there will be people that God will call each individual Christian to help. Walk in God’s revealed will (His Word), and He will reveal your calling.
- Fighting for the good of others by remembering the Word of the Lord
As Joshua called these people to action, he pointed them to the Word of God. When setting out to help others, it will be important that you remember the Word. Scripture says, “Remember the word…” (Jos. 1:13). Joshua wanted these people to go into battle prepared. He did this by reminding them of God’s promise and God’s faithfulness.
In order to adequately serve others, the believer must remember that God is faithful. He must take note of all the good that God has done in his own life. This will produce a thankful heart and a willingness to serve. Scripture says, “Only fear the Lord, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you” (1 Sam. 12:24). Joshua pointed the tribes back to the faithfulness of God through His Word. Samuel did the same. Go and do likewise.
Look to the Word, and see the faithfulness of God in your life. Then go out and serve God’s people as you consider the great things God has done for you.
- Fighting for the good of others by being strong and courageous
To fight for the good of others will take strength and courage. Fighting for others can be hard. Many times, you will be met with opposition along the way. The enemy does not like to see God’s people joining together. Joshua says, “…but ye shall pass before your brethren armed, all the mighty men of valour…” (Jos. 1:14). Joshua tells all the mighty men of valor to get up, bear arms, and fight for the good of another.
- Fighting for the good of others by joining arms in battle
Joshua 1:14, the verse that was just referenced, ends with, “and help them” (Jos. 1:14). This signifies a fighting with and together. This speaks of not simply fighting for someone but rather bearing arms with someone. It is like the soldier that goes into battle with another. As they lay in the foxhole together and bullets whiz over their heads, they realize that one of them will need to fire at the enemy so the other can advance.
One of these soldiers, a sergeant, gives instruction to his fellow-soldier, a private, to move toward the enemy upon the sergeant’s firing. The sergeant lifts his head, but only so slightly, then lays a number of rounds down range at the suspected target. The firing of the enemy ceases as the enemy is forced to duck for cover, and the private moves to gain ground on the enemy. Then the two soldiers duck for cover as the enemy starts to fire yet again.
The private at this point lifts his head and fires at the enemy down range, and the sergeant advances on the enemy. Eventually, these team members overtake their target. This modern tactic can only be performed in a team. In the same way, the Christian must bear arms together to fight against the enemy.
- Fighting for the good of others by finishing the work you started
Not only should the Christian fight for the good of others, but he should do so by finishing the work that he started. God is a God of completion. God did not leave His creation incomplete in the garden. In the book of Philippians, God is said to finish what He starts in the life of a believer (Phil. 1:6). In the book of Revelation, one can see the great and final consummation of all things: God making all things new.
God finishes what He starts, and so should the Christian. Joshua tells the tribes that they are to help their fellow tribes: “Until the Lord have given your brethren rest… and they also have possessed the land…” (Jos. 1:15). The battle was not over until the people of God could find their rest.
- Fighting for the good of others by putting the interests of others before yourself
Finally, Joshua makes an interesting comment to end this portion of Scripture. Joshua tells the people that they are to fight for the good of the others. He tells them that they are to fight until God has given the others rest. Then Joshua says, “…then ye shall return unto the land of your possession, and enjoy it…” (Jos. 1:15). The words that Joshua uses are rather telling.
The tribes that were called to help the others were the tribes that did not need to engage in war in the land that was given to them. The Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh were allotted portions of land that did not require them to cross over the Jordan. This land was safe. It would seem that they would thus have been exempt from war.
But actually, this situation caused them to have more work than the rest. They were called to cross the Jordan and help all of the other tribes occupy their land until all was accomplished. Then after the wars were over, they could finally go back to their own land. This would have been a journey alone, without the other tribes.
They would ultimately enjoy their allotted land last of all the other tribes. Fighting for the good of others will oftentimes mean that you will have to forgo the pleasures of this world as well.
Final prayer
Father, I thank You for the ways that Your people have helped me in the past. I thank You for the ways that Jesus has helped me and continues to be my Savior. Help me to serve others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.