Aches and Praise Four Hundred & Fifty One

April 30, 2020
 
 
Dear friends,
 

Yesterday, we finished reading the book of Joshua in our daily Bible reading. Joshua and Caleb are two of my favourite Bible people, as I admire their courage and faith in the Lord. During this time of change in the world, we, as believers, have the opportunity to point others to the Lord, as Joshua and Caleb did thousands of years ago.

What are some things we can learn from studying the life of Joshua? First of all, we see that he carefully watched a man of God: Moses. In his Study Bible, Dr. David Jeremiah writes: “Such fortitude and obedience in the faith was surely shaped by the events in Exodus and Joshua’s firsthand view of its leading man, Moses. Joshua, born and raised in Egypt, was perhaps in his twenties when God mightily delivered the Hebrew people from slavery.” We can learn a lot by watching those who have walked with the Lord a long time.

Secondly, we are never too young or too old to serve the Lord. We might think that we don’t know enough about the Bible or have a grasp of many theological truths, but that should not keep us from seeking to do His will. Joshua was appointed as general of the Hebrew army to battle the Amalekites and prevailed as Moses prayed for him and the army (Exodus 17:8-13). At the end of his life of 110 years, Joshua remembered the lessons that he learned when he was young and implored the people of Israel to “fear the Lord, serve Him in sincerity and in truth” (Joshua 24:14).

Thirdly, we must remember that God keeps His promises. All over our city, people have put drawings of rainbows in windows and on walls, telling everyone that things will get better. Many scientists are working very hard to find an antidote for the novel coronavirus. In our spiritual life, we can rest in the promises of God that are found throughout His word. God will deliver us from evil, as the Lord Jesus taught His disciples to pray (Matthew 6:9-13). Joshua watched the Lord lead His people to victory over their enemies and give them the land that He had promised to give to their fathers (Joshua 21:43).

Fourthly, we must keep our eyes on the Lord. In Joshua 5:13-15, a brief story is told about the Commander of the army of the Lord. Looking at his foes, Joshua might have wondered if he was in over his head as a military leader. However, he had learned from watching Moses that God will do amazing things through His servants as they walk humbly with Him. Dr. Jeremiah writes: “At one of the great crossroads of his life, with the weight of the world seemingly resting on his shoulders, Joshua received a visit from the Lord Himself. In essence, the Lord told him to stay the course and keep walking in the way he knew to be right.” The enemy of our soul will try to discourage us and defeat us spiritually by pointing out obstacles and difficulties, but we know that the Lord desires what is best for us.

We can be sure that God will do what He says He will do. The Bible says that those who trust in the Lord Jesus Christ have been justified by faith and have peace with God through the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1). If you have never asked God’s forgiveness for your sins, why not do so today? Jesus left the splendour of heaven to come to Earth to die on the cross for our sins. Many voices shout for our attention, but the one that we need to listen to first is the voice of the Lord, who loves us with an everlasting love.

Scripture for the weekend: “And Joshua said to the people, ‘Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.’”Joshua 3:5 (NKJV)

Thought for the weekend: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.” – Jim Elliot

  
By His grace,
                               
Steve                                                                                                                         

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