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.