ENTHUSIASM is the bedrock of happiness—it's the fuel that empowers the believer, and without it, nothing extraordinary happens.
Enthusiasm gives you the desire to face each day and gives you hope for tomorrow.
However, it's easy to lose enthusiasm when you go through difficult challenges—and people violate you by cruel, hateful behaviour.
The Narrative
THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL had been in slavery for four hundred years when the Lord sent Moses to deliver them. (Exodus 3)
And they left Egypt to navigate a new reality—one that required a sustained enthusiasm. But as they continued their journey, they lost interest in God and walked in rebellion.
God was displeased with them. And he said, "None of these ones who have turned their backs on Me will ever see the land." (Numbers 14:23)
But how do you sustain enthusiasm?
Maintain the Course
IF YOU'RE going to keep your enthusiasm, you cannot change lanes—you must stay the course.
Don't get off track, either left or right, to make sure you get to where you're going. (Joshua 1:7)
Paul gave similar advice to Timothy. He told him to fan to flame the gift of God that's in him.
"Stay at your post reading Scripture, giving counsel, teaching. And that special gift of ministry you were given when the leaders of the church laid hands on you and prayed—keep that dusted off and in use," Paul said. (1 Timothy 4:13-14)
Timothy, be active!
Be Bold
GOD HAD NO DOUBT that Joshua desired to please Him, but the times required much more.
The time that we live in requires more accountability too.
Joshua will have to be keen on the inside and courageous on the outside.
He understood that when a leader is fearful, the effect trickles down to the rest of the body.
And after spying out Canaan, he believed the Lord's report. (Numbers 14:6-9)
God also wants you to keep up your attitude and zeal. When things are challenging—count it all joy. (James 1:2-4)
Take Instruction
GOD KNEW IT was intimidating for Joshua to step into Moses' shoes, so, he told Joshua what to do.
Let the words of the Book of the Law always be on your lips—take instructions from it.
Ponder and meditate on it day and night—always keep it in your thoughts.
And Joshua, if you do these things, you will never go wrong. (Joshua 1:8)
For you to sustain enthusiasm, you must experience God continually and change to His image.
The more you read and meditate the word, the more excited you become.
But when the things of God become a duty, and there's a loss of excitement, these are signs that you're jaded—and there's danger ahead.
Paul warns us not to get too familiar with God.
He said, "So, let even the most confident believers remember their examples and be very careful not to fall as some of them did." (1 Corinthians 10:12)
BRINGING IT TOGETHER
WHILE MANY ISRAELITES yearned for the past and got stuck, Joshua looked to the future. He got into God.
Enthusiasm means 'to be in God.'
And to stay enthusiastic day after day, you need a daily infilling of the Holy Spirit.