"Setting Goals
After years of faith and fighting, victories and defeats, Joshua is confronted with a mental decision: Can my faith stand the possibility that there is still more to be conquered and accomplished? I've always wondered if there was a retirement age in God's economy. For some, that couldn't come too early. Joshua 13:1 - 'Now Joshua was old and stricken in years; and the Lord said unto him, "Thou art old and stricken in years, and yet there remaineth very much land to be possessed.'
Salvation is a process - Philippians 1:6. I want to be satisfied, yet realize I'm not finished. The establishing of spiritual goals, for some, seems a bit carnal; for others, essential. The Bible is rather clear on the matter of goals or plans. Two things seem obvious:
1. There is a general plan for my life - Joshua 1:1-3
2. There is a specific purpose for my life - Joshua 1:8
God's plan has always been for us to walk through a process of pursuing long-range plans. However, sprinkled along the way are mountains that stand in the way, or deterrents to fulfilling God's purpose. The obstacles become possibilities for personal growth and maturity.
At 89, Caleb is an example of a faithful bulldog, still pursuing the purposes and plans of God for his life. I only hope that, at 50, I'm still commited to believing as I am today.
Being truly faithful is one who knows what God has promised, clamps down the teeth of faith, hangs on, and doesn't let go. Hopefully, God has made promises to you that you're committed to believing for.
Promises regarding provision - Philippians 4:19
Promises regarding health - Jeremiah 17:14
Promises regarding relationship - I Thessalonians 3:12
Promises regarding destiny - Jeremiah 29:11
In Nehemiah chapter 4, verse 10, while building the wall, the people become weary and discouraged because there was still so much left to be done. The quickest way I know to become depressed is to concentrate on the things that haven't been accomplished, rather than the things that have. Get settled in your mind now that, even if you do conquer this mountain or build that wall, there will still be other mountains to be possessed.
Ron Mehl"