If We Choose God...He Will Keep Us In His Perfect Peace

Joshua 24:14-15 - “Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord.  And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Joshua shared one last word from God before he passed from his earthly life.  God recounted the whole story one more time…from the promise he made to Abraham…to where they stood that day. The bondage…the freedom….the obedience and its blessings… the disobedience and its consequences were all included.

God recounted the story…told them what to do…but Joshua’s response is included.  He had chosen God…and had raised up his family with his commitment to him. The words he said…and took the time to write down for us in the books of law have become one of the most used verses in the Bible.  I see it on church marquees…. on decorative frames for pictures… it is printed an thousands of decorative plaques for one’s wall. 

I can say from experience my choice to choose God was the best decision I ever made in my life.  His love…his care… his way…..has made the less comfortable times he has allowed in my life tolerable. I am even learning to let God rearrange my opinions of my pain into a joy that is hard to explain. I am beginning to understand the palmists words in chapter 30… “Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.”  The pace that passes understanding that Paul talks about in Philippians 4:7 begins to cover everything that happens in your life. It may still be painful…but you can accept it as a pathway to greater peace in the end.

Father…thank you for the reminder that your way is the best way.  Forgive me for the times that I have let my humanness get in the way….leading me to misunderstand…even run away from you at times. Help me to cling to the promise that f I follow you alone…you will keep me in your perfect peace….because I have trusted you.  Amen.

God Is Available To All People

Joshua 23:6-10 -   Therefore, be very strong to keep and to do all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, turning aside from it neither to the right hand nor to the left,  that you may not mix with these nations remaining among you or make mention of the names of their gods or swear by them or serve them or bow down to them,  but you shall cling to the Lord your God just as you have done to this day.  For the Lord has driven out before you great and strong nations. And as for you, no man has been able to stand before you to this day.  One man of you puts to flight a thousand, since it is the Lord your God who fights for you, just as he promised you.

Joshua had grown old….he knew his time of passing was near…so he took some of his last breaths to remind these people that God had chosen of all God had done.  He wanted to tell them one last time to be strong…courageous…faithful…even passionate about the one true God that had given them alone a great land.  There were still many people in the land that did not believe or worship Yahweh. If they were allowed to stay among them…it would weaken their faith...cause them to fall away from God’s law.

The world has approximately 4,300 religions…according to the quick answer on reference.com. Christianity has approximately 2 billion and Islam 1.3 to 1.5 billion believers… but a close second is Islam with about 1.3.  And let’s not forget to include those that do not believe in any deity….around 1.1 billion people identify as agnostics, atheists, nonreligious or other secular views.

I am thankful that Jesus came to fulfill the law…and did away with the need to drive out all these other religions. I would have had a hard time with all the killing and destruction the Israelites were asked to do to clear these other religions out of their land. He made a way for all nations…all people…to hear about the one true God and make a choice to follow him. He pushed the consequences of non-belief all the way to the end of time…so everyone could hear the truth and make a decision on their own.

It creates a sort of ‘pickle’ for those that believe in God…you know…that baseball situation where a runner gets trapped between bases. God opening up the world to make their own choices about who to worship puts all of those that believe in him surrounded by other beliefs. We can let them weaken our faith…as Joshua warned about….or we can use what God has done for us to share the truth with others.  God wants us to remember one thing about that process though.  We are called to share only…we cannot control others choices.

Think about that part of Joshua’s speech where he told them... “One man of you puts to flight a thousand.” That would be a great goal for all of us…to actively search out 1000 lost people that desperately need the gift of salvation that Jesus made possible for all. I am sure that I haven’t reached that number yet.

Father…thank you for the reminder that because you allowed your son to die on the cross to save me…all people have access to your great love.   Forgive me for the times that I take for granted my salvation…and do not actively search for ways to share your truth and love with the lost and confused around me. Help me to focus on you so closely that I hear every prompt to share with another…using all the perfect words that only you can give me to touch their heart and help them understand your gospel.  Amen.

Only God Knows The Whole Truth

Joshua 22:22-24 -  “The Mighty One, God, the Lord! The Mighty One, God, the Lord! He knows! And let Israel know! If this has been in rebellion or disobedience to the Lord, do not spare us this day.  If we have built our own altar to turn away from the Lord and to offer burnt offerings and grain offerings, or to sacrifice fellowship offerings on it, may the Lord himself call us to account. “No! We did it for fear that some day your descendants might say to ours, ‘What do you have to do with the Lord, the God of Israel?

Joshua had informed the 2 ½ tribes that Moses had granted land on the east side of the Jordan that they had fulfilled their commitment to help them fight until all the Promised land was claimed. He sent them on their way...back to their families…but before they felt secure in crossing the great river they stopped to build an enormous altar. It was intended to be a reminder to stay unified as a people…even though they would be separated physically by the river. 

But as word spread back to camp…rumors ….guesses...and the gossip of all had concocted a grand story of them already leaving God. What happened next is a great reminder of how to handle news that might be distressing and worrisome…especially if your own eyes and ears did not witness the original version.

First they sent a team of leaders and elders with Eleazar the priest to see what was going on.  They reminded these tribes of how God would feel if indeed the rumors were true.  Second…the tribes reacted with gentleness…understanding completely the deep concern they voiced.  Then the tribes explained the altar to them and how they wanted it to be a reminder of unity. And as they all parted that day…a sense of peace and love permeated their decision to believe all that they had explained.

I needed the reminder that jumping to conclusions hardly ever ends up being what actually happened. It is always better to go to someone and gently ask them if indeed something you heard is true. There is nothing wrong with pointing out what might be wrong with it as well.  But the lesson for me here is to always keep and open mind. To be willing to listen…trust and believe in what we are told first hand.  Sure…I can also admit that sometimes we might accept a really good lie…but the liar is the one who will be judged for that…in God’s own time.

It reminds me of that story in John 8…where the Sadducees were trying to use a woman’s sin of adultery to trap Jesus.  God had taught him…like he had Joshua and Eleazar how to use mercy and grace when dealing with people’s sin…and other people’s judgmental attitudes.  I just bet that writing in the sand was everyone else’s sin.

Father…thank you for the reminder that the truth is sometimes twisted into a thing that worries and concerns the heart of one who loves you.  Forgive me for the times that I have reacted to a story without checking it out for myself first.  Help me to always remember to ask you for a dose of mercy and grace before I meet with them to hear their side…then react the way Jesus might have if he were there. Amen.

Share God's Truth With Others

Joshua 21:1-3 -  Now the family heads of the Levites approached Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun, and the heads of the other tribal families of Israel at Shiloh in Canaan and said to them, “The Lord commanded through Moses that you give us towns to live in, with pasturelands for our livestock.”  So, as the Lord had commanded, the Israelites gave the Levites the following towns and pasturelands out of their own inheritance:

When all the land had been allotted…the heads of the Levite families came to Joshua and Eleazar at Shiloh…in the midst of all the tribe leaders.  They reminded them of God’s instructions to assign cities for them to dwell in among the other tribes. So all the tribes gave of their individual portions to fulfill the promise God had made to these priests…48 cities in all.

I have to admit it wasn’t a fun or deeply meaningful chapter to read.  I got really lost in the strange names of all those cites…and which family of Levites each city went too. I found myself skimming the chapter for names and numbers …going to the commentaries to try and glean some bit of wisdom from all the details.

It was Matthew Henry’s thoughts…who said of this process… “Thus did God graciously provide for keeping up religion among them, and that they might have the word in all parts of the land. Yet, blessed be God, we have the gospel more diffused amongst us...” that started my heart thinking this morning. It was God’s plan all along that his truth be dispersed throughout the land.  He began this thought with his chosen people so long ago...and continued it as he left this earth to rein in Heaven with what many refer to as the great commission.

It is one of the few times that all four gospels record a bit of Jesus’ words in this important moment of faith for those that were honored to share his last moments. Mark 16:15… Matthew 28:19…John 20:21…and Luke 24:26-27 all record the charge he gave to all to believe to share his truth with all people. It remains the most important part of sharing a personal relationship with God the father…his precious son Jesus…and the Holy Spirit that dwells among us to help us in this venture.

It is true that some people who hear will reject it…and even reject you for your obedience. But it is not our job to make sure they accept the truth…our job is only to present it.  Free choice is still an option and always will be. We are judged individually...not as a group.

Father…thank you for the reminder that part of my commitment to you is to share your truth to others. Forgive me for the times that I have wasted an opportunity to share your truth to an unbeliever.  Help me to be so in tune to your voice that I hear your directions and your words when a lost soul is near enough to me to be used of you to help them understand.  Amen. 

God Is Our Refuge

Joshua 20:1-4 - Then the Lord said to Joshua:  “Tell the Israelites to designate the cities of refuge, as I instructed you through Moses, so that anyone who kills a person accidentally and unintentionally may flee there and find protection from the avenger of blood. When they flee to one of these cities, they are to stand in the entrance of the city gate and state their case before the elders of that city. Then the elders are to admit the fugitive into their city and provide a place to live among them.

It was an awesome provision of God to provide 6 cities….spread throughout the land so travel to them would be easy …. For those that found themselves accused wrongly…or involved in a situation that caused a death unintentionally to live till the case was decided by the judges. It gave them comfort…peace…protection….and extended a sense of freedom to their mind in a great time of stress.

These cities were longer needed after Jesus fulfilled the law.  He provided a way for all of us to use his love and ultimate peace that passes understanding when we need such a refuge…yet many still search for comfort…peace…protection….and freedom from life’s troubles in every way imaginable. They seek what they need in drugs…. relationships…alcohol … sports….shopping…. parties… gambling…. fighting…  gangs… murder…. living beyond their means by means of credit… using all kinds of things to try and surround themselves with these earthly things to try and imitate what only God can provide in our soul.

There are many verses that speak of God as our refuge… but Psalm 46:1-3 pretty much says it all. It says… “God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; Though its waters roar and foam, Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. Selah.”

I needed a reminder that no matter what happens in life…because I chose to believe and accept Jesus as my savior… my adopted father has all I need…and will ever need to make it through anything. I admit that is it easier sometimes to let the world’s resources trick me into using one of its many temporary fixes to cope…but none of those ever last.  God’s fix is permanent… and grows in understanding the more that you use him.

Father…thank you for the reminder that you are my refuge. Forgive me for the times that I I have let the world trick me into trying other things …when I know that you have the only thing I will ever need to cope with anything that ever happens. Help me to always run to you…and let you be my only refuge in any time of trouble.  Amen.

Humility...One Of Our Most Powerful Character Traits

Joshua 19:49-50 -  When they had finished dividing the land into its allotted portions, the Israelites gave Joshua son of Nun an inheritance among them,  as the Lord had commanded. They gave him the town he asked for—Timnath Serah in the hill country of Ephraim. And he built up the town and settled there.

After all the tribes had been given their allotments…Joshua was given a portion from among their lots.  It was not a gift of the tribes...but a command of God to be sure that Joshua also received a portion of the promised land. He waited till all of the lots had been cast to let them know what piece of land he thought would be good for him…and they gave it to him without question.

As I researched the commentaries…trying to dig deeper for meaning and understanding…I read so many thoughts of how this was just one more example of Joshua’s humility and servant mindset.  He knew that God would provide for him and his family…he wanted to make sure that everyone else was taken care of first.

His humility is a great reminder to me of how important it is to build and use daily this character trait that the word sometimes perceives as a weakness. There is nothing weak about choosing to be last. In fact…God builds power through any form of humility…especially if it is intentional. Joshua Becker…good name huh….wrote in his article “The Hidden Power Of Humility”… “Humility is the act of being modest, reverential, even politely submissive. It is the opposite of aggression, arrogance, pride, and vanity. And on the surface, it appears to empty its holder of all power. But on the contrary, it grants enormous power to its owner. (his boldface...not mine) Humility offers its owner complete freedom from the desire to impress, be right, or get ahead. Frustrations and losses have less impact on a humble ego and a humble person confidently receives opportunity to grow, improve, and reject society‘s labels. A humble life results in contentment, patience, forgiveness, and compassion.”

The whole world needs a dose of this great power…I’m thinking it could just be the answer to world peace.  I sure needed the reminder to strive to let humility override many of the selfish decisions I make each day. The more selfless I become the more God can use me. Proverbs 11:2 says … “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”  James 4:10 says “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” And let’s not forget 2 Chronicles 7:14…which says… “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

Father…thank you for the reminder that you consider humility one of the best character traits I can have. Forgive for the times that I have let the world rob me of the many chances you have provided for me to grow in this mindset. Help me to recognize these moments...and ask you to hold my hand as you teach me your pure form of humbleness.  Then help me to listen to your prodding’s of when to use it to bring more glory to you.  Amen.

No Complacency Allowed

Joshua 18:1-3 - The whole assembly of the Israelites gathered at Shiloh and set up the tent of meeting there. The country was brought under their control, but there were still seven Israelite tribes who had not yet received their inheritance.  So Joshua said to the Israelites: “How long will you wait before you begin to take possession of the land that the Lord, the God of your ancestors, has given you?

God had directed Joshua to the city of Shiloh...where he would reside among them.  It was a peaceful city that lay somewhat in the center of the territory God was dividing between all of the tribes. Everyone picked up and moved their tents … and met there as the Levites fulfilled their duties of tearing down and rebuilding the holy tabernacle for its last time.  This would be its permanent home.

Joshua must have looked around him and seen the rote way they pitched their own tents around the tabernacle as they had in the 40 years they wander in the wilderness.  He frustration with none of them asking for their own permanent portions of Canaan is clear as he reprimands them for not being more zealous about settling a piece of this land for their own.

It is another reminder to me to guard my heart against the same kind of complacency. It is easy when God brings us to a peaceful… rich season of goodness… to want to rest in its pleasures and riches. Why would we want to leave a good thing…for something that requires more work and effort? Perhaps that is why God allows some of the difficulties we experience in life. He is using those times to force us to take our faith to deeper levels of trust and obedience.

Father…thank you for the reminder that I must guard my heart against complacency. Forgive me for the times that I have let myself rest to long in the blessings you have allowed in my life…taking them for granted.  Help me to always look for opportunities to enlarge my territory…as Jabez prayed in 1 Chronicles 4. Amen.

Let God Stir Up Our Best Endeavor

Joshua 17:12-15 - Yet the Manassites were not able to occupy these towns, for the Canaanites were determined to live in that region.  However, when the Israelites grew stronger, they subjected the Canaanites to forced labor but did not drive them out completely. The people of Joseph said to Joshua, “Why have you given us only one allotment and one portion for an inheritance? We are a numerous people, and the Lord has blessed us abundantly.” “If you are so numerous,” Joshua answered, “and if the hill country of Ephraim is too small for you, go up into the forest and clear land for yourselves there in the land of the Perizzites and Rephaites.”

Joshu had allotted the choicest of lands to the tribe of Manesseh… and their numbers reflected God’s great blessings on this tribe of Israel. They grew so numerous that the land they were given was too small…so they asked for more. The only problem with this was that they had failed to completely claim all that God intended for them to have.

One group of Canaanites had been allowed to stay in their territory. At first it was because they were afraid to try and conquer them…but eventually they grew strong enough to force them into laboring for them. Another area of their territory was forested… there was lots of land if they would take the time to clear it.

I usually write in the morning. ‘Waking up with God’ was birthed from a deep need 3 years ago ….I felt to start my day out with God…so he could power me through any more hard stuff that he allowed in my life… that I felt was difficult.  BUT…lately…I have hit the snooze button so many times I barely get to whatever was scheduled that day on time…let alone take time to reflect and write blog post.

Today was no different.  I hit the snooze…barely made it to my substitute job on time…ran to my mom and dad’s house after work to help them out with a couple of things….ran straight to the quilting ministry that meets on Tuesday afternoons….then straight to a new home Bible study I wanted to try out. Before I could sit down and blog… I even had phone calls and texts to answer.

I’ve felt dispassionate about my blogging…about my morning time with God for a bit now.  I have prayed…searched…let myself fall into depression…search some more… make excuses… you get the picture. I knew I shouldn’t feel this way…but couldn’t quite find the answer to how to fix the problem.   It’s close to 10 pm now….but I have that old passionate feeling I used to have…when I first started blogging….that I was going to spend a bit of time with God before I went to bed.

One piece of the puzzle that changed my outlook was the commentaries I read last night.  David Guzik pointed out how the Israelites had become complacent.  They wanted the easy road…just give us more land they said. They had just as much power to defeat the Canaanites as they did to force them into labor. Matthew Henry added this thought…”If we belong to Christ – He will stir us up to our best endeavors.

It was a statement from the video from our Bible study that put all the thoughts together… convicting me and renewing the passion I knew I had lost… to spend time with God.  When I heard author and pastor Larry Osborne make the point…God worries more about our holiness than our happiness…it was as if the last piece of the puzzle I’ve been struggling to find was put in place. I need to remember my first love…so that fire he put inside me can fan back into a flame that can help him increase the kingdom…before it’s too late for all the lost souls still to be won over to the truth.

Father…thank you for the reminder that I belong to you….and you want to stir up within me the best.  Forgive me for letting the world water down my longing to visit with you each day.  Help me to stay fanned into flame…so your power will keep my faith and passion to learn as much as I can about you never wane with time.   Amen.

What We Have Is More Than We Deserve

Joshua 16:1-4 - The allotment for Joseph began at the Jordan, east of the springs of Jericho, and went up from there through the desert into the hill country of Bethel.  It went on from Bethel (that is, Luz), crossed over to the territory of the Arkites in Ataroth,  descended westward to the territory of the Japhletites as far as the region of Lower Beth Horon and on to Gezer, ending at the Mediterranean Sea.  So Manasseh and Ephraim, the descendants of Joseph, received their inheritance.

Joshua continued to define the territories for each tribe by clans.  Judah and Joseph…along with his children Ephraim and Manasseh…were allotted the first and best of the lands to the north and the south. These lands were choice areas that would have supported farming or pastures for their livestock. Even though they did not follow through on God’s orders to completely clear the land of Canaanites…God still blessed these tribes enormously.

As I researched the commentaries for some deeper wisdom…Matthew Henry’s thoughts washed deep into my soul. He said… “This chapter reminds us that our situation and provision in this life, as well as our future inheritance, is appointed by the only wise and righteous God and we should be content with it. He knows best. What we have is more than we deserve.”

Truer…more humbling words have not been heard by my ears in a while. I needed the reminder that God gives to us from his grace…not by our worthiness or service to him.  He gives freely…way more than I could ever earn or be worthy of.

Father…thank you for the reminder that your love flows freely to all that accept and believe in your sacrifice on the cross. Forgive me for the times that I take for granted the grace that you have shown me…a sinner.  Help me to be more grateful for the blessings that you send my way each moment of life you granted me. Show me how to pay  your love forward with the same grace you show me.  Amen.

The Responsibility Of The Great Comission

Joshua 15:1 and 20  -The allotment for the tribe of Judah, according to its clans, extended down to the territory of Edom, to the Desert of Zin in the extreme south.

…This is the inheritance of the tribe of Judah, according to its clans:

The tribe of Judah is the first to get a detailed list of all the land God is portioning them.  The writer takes great care to give the new name each Canaanite town used before it was conquered. Nothing was left to its old ways…the tribe of Judah took over and finished a complete takeover of each area it was given …except one.  Jerusalem was allowed to stay strong enough not to be taken over….and we aren’t told why.

I have sat longer than usual listening for the one bit of wisdom that God needs me to have from this chapter. My readings have gleaned very little that just grabs you as a lesson…but one thought.  All of this land was not completely cleared of the pagans God wanted abolished.  The portioning of land was as much about possession and ownership as it was about the responsibility to complete what the joint army had started. God was not going to bless a nation that was not obedient to his directives to clear out any peoples that might not believe in him and his commands.

God has given each of us something to do. I believe some of us are given more than one task…and that is on top of the great commission that Jesus used as his triumphant speech before his ascension.  He said in Matthew 28:18 – 20 - Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

So the hidden bit of wisdom in Joshua 15 for me this morning is to never forget that a relationship with God is two way.  When I accept his love and grace…I commit to consciously accept the responsibility to carry out these last earthly words of Jesus. Wherever God leads me…and especially if he allows me to possess land….I need to be about sharing his truth to the portion I am given…so more people will be able to enter the kingdom of God.

Father...thank you for the reminder that my relationship with you includes a great responsibility to spread your gospel everywhere you plant my feet. Forgive me for the many times that I have forgotten this great commissioning…and failed you and the lost people you placed all around me.  Give me new ears and eyes to recognize the lost around me…and use some of that courage and boldness I pray for to share your love and truth.  Amen. 

Imitate Caleb's Boldness...Ask For God's Promises

Joshua 14:10-12 -  “Now then, just as the Lord promised, he has kept me alive for forty-five years since the time he said this to Moses, while Israel moved about in the wilderness. So here I am today, eighty-five years old!  I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then.  Now give me this hill country that the Lord promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the Lord helping me, I will drive them out just as he said.”

Caleb…the only other spy that brought a message of ‘we can do this’ back to Moses when they first visited the land God was promising them…recalled the promise God had given him when all the others had gone against he and Joshua. Everyone that had said no to an immediate quest to take the land Canaan had died in the last 45 years.  Only Caleb and Joshua had entered into the land and fought for the freedom they had enjoyed for the last 7 years.

What a great reminder that we should never be afraid to ask God….even be bold in our requests… to fulfill his promises to us.  There are so many in the Bible…we could ask God to fulfill a different one every day. One of the basics…that has become a great strength for me personally… is his promise from Isaiah 26:3…"You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You." Everything else can become a chaotic mess around me…but if I have God’s perfect peace…my spirit will never get caught up in it.

Father...thank you for the promises you allowed to be written into your word. Forgive me for the times that I take any of them for granted. Forgive me also for not claiming them every time I need one of them.  Help me to recall a promise that will give me the exact strength I need for each situation you allow in my life. Then give me the boldness and patience of Caleb to know when to ask.  Amen.

God s My Complete

Joshua 13:1-5 - When Joshua had grown old, the Lord said to him, “You are now very old, and there are still very large areas of land to be taken over. “This is the land that remains: all the regions of the Philistines and Geshurites,  from the Shihor River on the east of Egypt to the territory of Ekron on the north, all of it counted as Canaanite though held by the five Philistine rulers in Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath and Ekron; the territory of the Avvites  on the south; all the land of the Canaanites, from Arah of the Sidonians as far as Aphek and the border of the Amorites;  the area of Byblos; and all Lebanon to the east, from Baal Gad below Mount Hermon to Lebo Hamath.

Joshua had enjoyed a great time of peace and was getting old now. God had blessed the obedience and hard work with a long period of rest and prosperity. BUT…God reminded him this day that there was still a huge portion of the land he had given the Israelites that still needed to be taken. Their time of rest of peace was coming to an end… there was still work to be done before God’s promise was complete.

When things are good…when God allows a time of blessing and goodness in our lives…we want it to last forever. BUT… there is a danger in becoming completely content with what we have. We might forget that God’s goodness…his perfect love….knows no end. Complete will come only once…when Jesus returns to claim his children and the battle between good and evil is ended forever. ..or when we cross over the earthly realm into God’s arms in heaven. 1 Philippians 13:7-10 is clear.  It says… “ Love knows no limit to its endurance, no end to its trust, no fading of its hope; it can outlast anything. It is, in fact, the one thing that still stands when all else has fallen. For if there are prophecies they will be fulfilled and done with, if there are “tongues” the need for them will disappear, if there is knowledge it will be swallowed up in truth. For our knowledge is always incomplete and our prophecy is always incomplete, and when the complete comes, that is the end of the incomplete.

It is a great reminder to me that until he calls me home he has more for me than what I know now. I am always to look forward to one more promise being fulfilled in my life. The true contentment that Paul experienced had nothing to do with earthly things. It was his spirit…his faith…his trust in God that gave him that peace that passes understanding in all that he was led to do by God. He looked forward to God’s complete…and kept pressing on to win the great race at the end of his life.

Father…thank you for the reminder that you are my complete. Forgive me or the times that I forget that you have new promises to unveil to me each new day you allow. Help me to grow so close to you I feel the words of psalm 18:30 embed deeply in my soul… “Joshua 13:1-5 - When Joshua had grown old, the Lord said to him, “You are now very old, and there are still very large areas of land to be taken over. “This is the land that remains: all the regions of the Philistines and Geshurites,  from the Shihor River on the east of Egypt to the territory of Ekron on the north, all of it counted as Canaanite though held by the five Philistine rulers in Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath and Ekron; the territory of the Avvites  on the south; all the land of the Canaanites, from Arah of the Sidonians as far as Aphek and the border of the Amorites;  the area of Byblos; and all Lebanon to the east, from Baal Gad below Mount Hermon to Lebo Hamath.

Joshua had enjoyed a great time of peace and was getting old now. God had blessed the obedience and hard work with a long period of rest and prosperity. BUT…God reminded him this day that there was still a huge portion of the land he had given the Israelites that still needed to be taken. Their time of rest of peace was coming to an end… there was still work to be done before God’s promise was complete.

When things are good…when God allows a time of blessing and goodness in our lives…we want it to last forever. BUT… there is a danger in becoming completely content with what we have. We might forget that God’s goodness…his perfect love….knows no end. Complete will come only once…when Jesus returns to claim his children and the battle between good and evil is ended forever. ..or when we cross over the earthly realm into God’s arms in heaven. 1 Philippians 13:7-10 is clear.  It says… “ Love knows no limit to its endurance, no end to its trust, no fading of its hope; it can outlast anything. It is, in fact, the one thing that still stands when all else has fallen. For if there are prophecies they will be fulfilled and done with, if there are “tongues” the need for them will disappear, if there is knowledge it will be swallowed up in truth. For our knowledge is always incomplete and our prophecy is always incomplete, and when the complete comes, that is the end of the incomplete.

It is a great reminder to me that until he calls me home he has more for me than what I know now. I am always to look forward to one more promise being fulfilled in my life. The true contentment that Paul experienced had nothing to do with earthly things. It was his spirit…his faith…his trust in God that gave him that peace that passes understanding in all that he was led to do by God. He looked forward to God’s complete…and kept pressing on to win the great race at the end of his life.

Father…thank you for the reminder that you are my complete. Forgive me or the times that I forget that you have new promises to unveil to me each new day you allow. Help me to focus on today…the task you gave me to do today…and learn to anticipate with a deep inner peace and trust in the perfectness of what lies ahead if your grant me a new tomorrow.  Amen.

Make A List Of Victories

Joshua 12:1, 7, and 24   -Now these are the kings of the land whom the people of Israel defeated and took possession of their land beyond the Jordan toward the sunrise, from the Valley of the Arnon to Mount Hermon, with all the Arabah eastward:

….And these are the kings of the land whom Joshua and the people of Israel defeated on the west side of the Jordan, from Baal-gad in the Valley of Lebanon to Mount Halak, that rises toward Seir (and Joshua gave their land to the tribes of Israel as a possession according to their allotments,

…the king of Tirzah, one: in all, thirty-one kings.

Joshua took the time to list the name of each king as the peace God granted was fresh and new. They had spent what most commentators think was around 7 years defeating these 31 kings.  My eyes got weary trying to read the names of all those kings…each one listed with the city or territory he ruled before the Israelites took it over.

I did not readily see a lesson in what seemed to be a simple listing of names…so I started researching some different commentaries to see what insight they could add. I stumbled on this great David Guzik point… “What seems a simple list to us must have been a reminder to Joshua of all God had done to clear this land for them.”  Got me thinking about sitting down and making my own list…so I would have it the next time I started feeling sorry for myself.

What a great reminder to take some time in our seasons of happiness and joy to make a list of all the victories he has provided in our lifetime. I’m even thinking of adding all the pain he has brought me through as well. I can’t think of any better way to have a tangible comprehensive list of all God has done to build our faith.

I needed the reminder as usual that God has seen me through every single moment.  He never left my side…sometimes he held my hand the whole time. He even let me sit in his lap a couple of the worst times and let me cry till my tears were spent. I may never fully understand why he let the things he did happen. I may not have been deserving of any of the bad…and I know that I will never be worthy of any of the good. But this one thing I know…God has a plan…for my good.  It is a plan to someday prosper me…and not meant to harm me.  It is a plan that gives me hope for my future.

Father…thank you for the reminder that I need to reflect on the many things you have done to build me into the person you want me to be.  Forgive me for the times that I make that list about the times when life was unkind ..letting my mind focus too much on the past. Help me to keep my list of victories close by…so when I begin to let the world get me down I can let the list of all you have done to strengthen me build me even stronger.  Amen.

God Can Handle Anything Life Throws At Us

Joshua 11:5-6  - All these kings joined forces and made camp together at the Waters of Merom to fight against Israel. The Lord said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid of them, because by this time tomorrow I will hand all of them, slain, over to Israel. You are to hamstring their horses and burn their chariots.”

Many of the other kings in the areas left in Canaan joined forces and made an enormous army…as numerous as the sand on the beach. But as soon as Joshua heard of it…God let him know real fast not to be afraid of them. God had a plan that would destroy even this innumerable army in just one 24 hour period.

What a great reminder that God can handle anything that this life throws at us. Nothing is too big for God.  He is bigger…and mightier…and more powerful than anything. He created this world and he controls every tiny detail of it…working it all to the good of those who love him.

The world might seem out of control…even your personal piece of it may be falling apart…but God knows every detail and has allowed it for some greater glory to his kingdom. I admit that it is hard to have faith when things seem their worst…but I believe that is when God teaches us our deepest lessons of how to depend only on him.

Father...thank you for the reminder that all things are in your control and under your power. Forgive me for the times that I let situations get me worried or concerned …failing to trust you fully with all things.  Help me have the faith of Joshua…to know that you will give me detailed instructions of how you plan to glorify yourself through what you allow in my life.  Amen.

God Can Bring Victory In All Situations

Joshua 10:6-8 - And the men of Gibeon sent to Joshua at the camp at Gilgal, saying, “Do not forsake your servants; come up to us quickly, save us and help us, for all the kings of the Amorites who dwell in the mountains have gathered together against us.”  So Joshua ascended from Gilgal, he and all the people of war with him, and all the mighty men of valor.  And the Lord said to Joshua, “Do not fear them, for I have delivered them into your hand; not a man of them shall stand before you.” 

They had messed up…but knew that God would want them to keep the vow they made…so when the Gibeonites fell prey to the other kings…Joshua rallied the troops to go and help them. God let him know real quick that he was with them. In fact…God had already set in motion a plan to protect and defeat these kings that had set out to destroy the people he had allowed to become servants for Israel.

They surprised them by marching all night and attacking that morning. Anyone who escaped and ran was cut down from the confusion God let settle over the Amorites….huge hailstones that fell as they ran from the Israelite army… or by the swords of the Israelite army. Even the5 kings that found a cave to hide in were made an object lesson for the commanders of never to be afraid of a battle that God had sent them to fight.

What a great reminder that when God is in a situation…even if it was a mistake you made and turned over to God after the fact… God brings about the exact details to give us victory over the problems we are fighting. He can control every aspect of every thing that happens…even to the point of stopping the sun and moon to extend the orbit of the earth…giving us all the time we need to claim victory.

I needed the reminder that victory in every situation that seems hopeless rests in my faith in God…period.  There are no ‘ifs’ in trusting God…we are his child….he will take care of us. Galatians 3:25-27 says… “Now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian. You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.”

Thank you father for the reminder that you have all I need to be victorious in all situations.  Forgive me for the times that I fail to use even the small faith you gave me to claim your power.  Help me to rest in your love…and lean on your complete understanding…so I won’t be tempted to lean on my own. Amen.

What Would God Have Me Do?

Joshua 9:14 – 16 -   The Israelites sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the Lord.  Then Joshua made a treaty of peace with them to let them live, and the leaders of the assembly ratified it by oath.  Three days after they made the treaty with the Gibeonites, the Israelites heard that they were neighbors, living near them.

The word spread fast to all the Kings who lived in the land that God had given to the Israelites…that these people …who let Yahweh control their lives…were a great threat. One king decided to come up with a con…a ruse…a trick that would protect his people from the sure death and destruction that was coming. His people dressed in the oldest rags they had…worn shoes… worn out wine skins complete with the oldest wine they had …even packing only the driest moldiest bread they had…to plead for a treaty with God’s people.  They completed their ruse with a false story of their travels from a distant land.

They would not have gotten away with it…except that the leaders who made the decision to believe them…did not inquire of God what to do. They tasted the provisions these Gibeonites presented as proof...and agreed to let them become servants and woodcutters for the Israelites.  They fell for the ruse… had to keep their vow…even when they found out the truth.

What a great reminder to always check with God before making a decision. I sure am guilty… of making decisions too many times without stopping and whispering a prayer of “what should I do?” Especially when it it is what I perceive to be a small thing.  I needed the reminder that the more I include God in all my decisions…the less I will have to backtrack ….and ask him to help me fix the mess I made by jumping ahead of him.

Luke 11:9 reminds us...  “So I tell you: Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you.” I believe that goes for every decision we need to make. But James 4:3 reminds us to also ask with the right motives…to make sure our heart is clean and thinking with God’s ideals in mind before we ask. It says… “You ask and do not receive because you ask wrongly, so you can spend it on your passions.”

Thank you Lord for the reminder to include you in every decision I make.  Forgive me for the many times I jump ahead of you…and forget to include a prayer for your will to be carried out in all that I do. Help me to stay in such a constant attitude of prayer that my only response to every deicision is to stop and ask you what would you have me do?  Amen.

God's Holy Spirit Can Give Us All The Courage We Need

Joshua 8:1-2 - Then the Lord said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Take the whole army with you, and go up and attack Ai. For I have delivered into your hands the king of Ai, his people, his city and his land. You shall do to Ai and its king as you did to Jericho and its king, except that you may carry off their plunder and livestock for yourselves. Set an ambush behind the city.”

The Israelites had tried attacking Ai and his city once before…and suffered a huge defeat. So before God gave him the directions to go and attack him again…he reminded Joshua not to be afraid or discouraged. One thing was different this time…God was going before them...victory was a sure thing. The sin in the Israelite camp that had caused God to use the last lesson as an object lesson….had been purged from among them.

The message to my heart was clear…as soon as I read the words…”Do not be afraid…do not be discouraged.” They jumped right off the page and into my heart last night as I read them. I won’t give all the details…but I have this thing to do today…and I am more than a little nervous about it. I have prayed over it for several days...even talking to my official counselor friend to get her advice and her joint prayers.

I needed the reminder that God goes with me in everything I do.  Sometimes I take that fact for granted...like when there seems to be an angel swerving my car at just the right moment to prevent a wreck…. or that moment when I seem to know exactly what to do. Just because the perfect words and actions are not embedded into my head right now…does not mean that God will not show up when the time comes and fill it with all that it needs.

Part of the problem is that I don’t get to write down my words…I can’t use word processing to go back and change my script till it is exactly right. This deed I need to do requires face to face exchange…which I botch quite frequently.  I need to be courageous…and confident that God has just the right words for me to use today. He is in control and will work even what I see as a thing I am not prepared to handle… to the good of all that love him…per Romans 8:28.

Father...thank you for the reminder that you are with me in all that I do. Forgive me for letting my heart fret over what I need to do. Give me confidence and wisdom and just the right words to speak in this situation. Help me to feel the touch of your holy spirit today as I prepare…and follow through with my task. Help me to be courageous and not intimidated …so I can use your words and actions to complete what I know I need to do. Amen.

Sin...ALL Sin...Separtes Us From Our Source Of Power

Joshua 7:10 -12  - The Lord said to Joshua, “Stand up! What are you doing down on your face?  Israel has sinned; they have violated my covenant, which I commanded them to keep. They have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen, they have lied, they have put them with their own possessions. That is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies; they turn their backs and run because they have been made liable to destruction. I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy whatever among you is devoted to destruction.

The people had been warned to follow God’s instructions carefully. Achan’s act of disobedience put around 3000 men in a direct path for death.  God could not go before them because of Achan’s sin.  So all of them died…losing their second battle meant to take more of the land God had promised them.

Joshua did the only thing he knew to do. He fell before the ark ...tore his clothes in humility ..and cried out to God.  He was confused…discouraged…letting his mind wonder why God had even brought them there.  God told him to stand up…then told Joshua about the great sin that had made him leave their side for this battle.

Each tribe was escorted in front of Joshua…clan by clan...and asked what sin they had committed…till the tribe of Judah…and the clan of Achan stood before him. Achan admitted his sin quickly...and God’s instructions to purge all sin from within the people were carried out swiftly.  All that he had… family and livestock… were stoned to death. 

What a stark reminder of what sin can do to our lives if left unchecked.  We may not have to worry about being stoned…but sin will eventually destroy our whole family if left unrepented and purged from our lives. All sin will be judged by God someday…and cost us something in the end.

I may have purged intentional sins like Achan’s from my life…but I will always need a reminder to keep my heart ever tuned to God to identify unintentional sins.  Those are the sins that creep slowly into our lives because we have let the world influence us more than God’s word.  If God brings one to my heart…I had better fall on my knees like Joshua and ask God to help me remove it before it affects my relationship with God.

Thank you Lord for the reminder that sin separates my heart from the one source that can keep me living a fulfilling life in you.  Forgive me for the times I have taken advantage of my salvation in you and let any sin stay too long in my life.  Help me to daily identify even the smallest of sins in my heart and repent…so you can help me wash it completely out of my life.  Then help me fill the space it took in my heart with something that you can use to make me a better servant for you.  Amen.