"After this, Joshua son Nun, the servant of the LORD, died at the age of 110." (Joshua 24:29)
For the first time God's people don't have a leader. God did not appoint a successor to Joshua as He did Moses. Are they ready to stand on their own two legs? Is their faith strong enough to withstand the pressures of life without a direct connection to the LORD. Eleazar was still among them but who would be the voice of God giving instructions?
I can't help but feel concerned for the Israelites. Now is the time we will see the strength of their personal belief. Because we have journeyed with them to the Promised Land, witnessed God's faithful provision and protection, and watched Him deliver their enemies into their hands we would expect a matchless faith in the One True God.
In my years of "playing church" I learned a valuable lesson: You can't claim your parent's faith as your own. From experience I see too many times Believers piggyback on or ride the coattail of the faith they witnessed through parents or other people who have been influential in their lives. Sadly, our churches today are full of individuals surviving on hand-me-down faith never realizing the life of abundance God intends them for them to have. (John 10:10)
Joshua reviewed God's faithfulness to the Israelites and challenged them to find a more faithful and powerful God. It almost sounded like a dare, didn't it? The children of Israel promised to serve the Lord. (The promise ends in an exclamation point to emphasize their meaning.) Before his death Joshua documented their covenant (A binding sealed agreement not meant to be broken) and sealed it.
If Joshua was here today asking us the same question what would our answer be? Would our faith be strong enough in the One True God to withstand the storms of life or do we have a hand-me-down-faith that will lead us to serve the gods of the neighborhood around us? Can we record and seal a covenant saying:
"I will serve the LORD!" (Joshua 24:22)
P.S. I find it so amazing they still had Joseph's bones and finally buried the properly.
15 Comments:
Wendy,
I know what you mean about the piggy back faith, been there done that and bought the T-Shirt LOL And even though I have changed that in my life and have grown to know that I need to develope my own relationship with God I see alot of it still around. My nugget(s) for today are:
Joshua 23:13 ....Whip on your back, Does this have a significance to Jesus being whipped?
Joshua 23:14 .... you know every promise of the Lord your God has come true, not a single one has failed. This was also in yesterdays reading in Joshua 21:45. What struck me on this was God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. None of His promises yesterday, today or tomorrow have or will fail. (Just a confirmation of His love)
Then in Joshua 24:15 ... "As for me and my faimily we will serve the Lord". I see that on plaques and posters, but I wondered this morning after reading the recap from Joshua of all that had happened and all that God brought them through, ... Do you mean it? It was just one of those Hmmmmm moments that made me think, I/we need to not take these vows lightly. (Which I don't - but reminders are always good) We can easily be led astray and I am so happy I have the Holy Spirit as a bumper rail to nudge me back in place. :)
Have a blessed day - Thank you Wendy for your daily prayers for me and all of us, thanks for the prayers from the rest of you and I have prayed for all of you.
Blessings,
Lynn
Wendy, I was amazed about the 'bone thing' too and wrote a reference back to Gen 50:25-26.
No second-hand faith. Great lesson. On the front door of our home we have a little brass plaque that says, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord". It's a public declaration of the decision our family has made, personally, to choose and follow the One true God.
I also enjoyed the references today to "hold firmly to him" (Joshua 22:5) and "cling tightly to the LORD your God as you have done until now" (Joshua 23:8). Don't let go. Keep holding on. No matter what happens, don't waver.
The example of Phinehas going to the people of Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh is so beneficial. Although what the rest of Israel 'heard' disturbed and angered them, they didn't just presume or jump to irrational conclusions, they did the right thing. They went to the people of Reuben, Gad and Manasseh for an explaination. Wondering how often I base my decisions on what I 'see' or 'hear' instead of what I truly 'know'. May it be a lesson to me to examine all the truth, and not make a judgement in haste.
I also needed the reminder of God's blessings. In Joshua 24:12-13 the Lord reminds us, "It was not your swords or bows that brought your victory. I gave you land you had not worked on, and I gave you towns you did not build..." Anything good in my life is because of God and God alone.
May we give Him all the praise due His Name today friends.
Love y'all,
Joy
I'm a 'blog-stalker'..... I read the blog and comments only occasionally, even though I am current on the reading. I want to change that today though!
I had to wonder as I read Joshua's review of God's promises, and the fulfillment of those promises with the Israelites, how long it would take them to rebel. And as I continued to read, I also noticed that once Joshua passed away there was no one to succeed him. The Israelites have been blessed for many years with great leadership, and have witnessed firsthand the amazing ways that God took care of them as they wandered in the desert and then as they entered the Promised Land.
The one thing that I wondered about though, was just how long it would take them to rebel. And maybe this was in 'future' reading (I think I might be ONE day ahead - but it won't last long!!)... it didn't take long for them to forget their instructions to destroy everything in order to wipe out the culture and the 'bad' influences. Ahhhhh, but we soon see - the Israelites were SO much smarter (or so they thought) and decided to take things into their own hands.
And then as I read about their disobedience, and how they strayed I had to ask myself how many times I've done the same thing. Despite the fact that I KNOW what God wants me to do, or how I'm supposed to act, if I'm not in the Word, or seeking Him on a daily basis, I can very easily trip and fall, or stray ever so slightly and soon find myself wandering in the desert again!
Oh God - please continue to create in me, the hunger for you - for more of your word - more of you!!
Wendy,
I can really relate to the "playing church," but honestly, personally I never looked at it that way. All my life, w/ the exception of a period of time away at college and early married life) I went to church. I thought I was doing what I was supposed to be doing...I went, I was involved...I was a good person(hehe-that does not get you far!), I served; but, I knew I was missing something. {All during this time I had a mother who prayed daily for her 3 children...she prayed that they would get into God's Word and seek Him through His Word}...For me, my whole God Experience changed with one phone call that I will never forget. It was a "turn-around" moment for me. A girl friend invivited me to Bible Study. That dear sisters was the begining of my love affair with our Lord. God opened my eyes like I had never seen. I knew Him, I believed Him, but, I did not read His Word and walk with Him everyday...I said my prayer's at night (usually falling asleep in the middle of them)...I did not realize that Faith In God is where it is at. Obedience to Him...seeking His voice through His Word... a daily, personal relationahip...What an awesome God we have tho, to allow me in His own timing to figure it out! Shows, what faithful praying does! I was blessed to have a Mother that did not waiver...she prayed and prayed and continued to pray. After my first Bible Study, another one opened up...bit by bit over the last 2 years God has guided me along, put the right things in my lap to read, and totally won me over. I'm amazed at How he plans things to work out dear ones! It is never how we thought it would be. He sees the whole picture and always knows what is best! Thank goodness, in His mercy, I now have the strong faith, rather than the hand-me-down faith! "I will serve the LORD!" wherever he takes me. :)
Today's reading was so good. More of my lines are underlined than not! :) I think I'll comment on dear Joshua. It is sad to say good-bye to him...Thinking back over everything we've read about Him...can you imagine his life and everything he saw! We'll remember him deeply trusting in God. When he was little he lived through the slavery in Egypt, then came the supernatural plagues and the miracles of Israel's escape from the army of the Egyptians...The waters of the sea opening up! Joshua was the leader of the troops of Israel that won over the Amalekits. Only Joshua and his friend Caleb were ready to follow God's will and take immediate possession of the land. God chose him to be his servant. Joshua believed God's orders and carried them out. Oh, to have a little Joshua in me! To be able to put my faith in God and not to cling to my insecurities that overwhelm me.
I'm so enjoying getting to know our ancestors through the O.T. Through their obedience and strong faith, God's Word has spread clear down to our generation!!!
Wow, do we have a lot to think about dear gals...lots of good reading today! As I go about my business today...I'm going to "cling tightly to the LORD {my} God..."
Praying for each one of you today! Tomorrow, we begin Judges! These Books are flying by! Thanks Wendy for your post today...I realized just have blessed I am to have a Mother who has prayed for me faithfully throughout the years! I must phone her today to say, "thanks!"
Blessings,
Lori - Mesa, AZ
I noted that Joshua called the eastern tribes together and commended them (Josh 22:3) "You have been CAREFUL to obey..." Yet he also warned them (Josh 22:5) "But be VERY CAREFUL to obey... Love the Lord your God, walk in all His ways, obey His commands, hold firmly to Him, and serve Him with all your heart and all your soul."
Joshua has taken over the leadership role from Moses, and nurtured these people into a new land. Now it is time to let them go... Parents, does this sound familiar? Everything we have done: our words of instruction, loving hugs and healing kisses, teaching, discipline, encouragement... it's time to let go, and pray our children will be VERY CAREFUL to follow all we have taught them.
These are great scriptures to pray over your children; so when it is time to send them out on their own, you may do so with a blessing.
Serving Him,
Susan
PS Sorry I don't have access to the computer on weekends right now, so I use that as my prayer time for all of you :)
I was also surprised to read they still had Joseph's bones, I wondered if I had missed something from a previous chapter.
Also, I was so glad when I finally got to the part that Rueben's people were doing a good thing, I feared they were messing up by building the alter.
I was also surprised that God allowed foreigners to stay in his land, especially since they were still worshiping other God's, that could certainly be a problem now that they have no leadership. I certainly am not questioning God's authority, I trust he always knows exactly what he is doing.
I did not have believing parents, well they were raised in church and knew about Christ but did not continue going to church once they got married and started their family. I was blessed to have friends who invited me to church and really cannot remember a time I did not believe myself. It took a long time for me to come into a better understanding of God and to accept him as my Lord and Savior. It has been a hard long road because I am so naturally strong willed. I love that he never gives up on us and is so patient.
Lori I posted late the other night with my husband's name but it was really late and I don't know if you saw it so once again his name is Jim. Again thank you for your prayers and I will also be praying.
I love so much reading God's word with you girl's and learn so much from you. If I ever post anything that is not true to God's word feel free to correct me, I would consider it a favor.
Have a Blessed day,
Debra Tx
Here's my nugget for today. I underlined how many times God told His people: I gave/I took/I sent/I brought/I put/I rescued/. etc...
God has done it all for me. How many times do I credit myself for my successes? Shamefully, too often.
Thank you Lord for forgiving me for my selfishness and my self idolatry. Convict me of my sins. Amen.
snow coming again in MN
Morgen
Just a note to say hi and let you know that although I don't post much I am following along with Wendy and all you ladies. Thanks again for your insights. I also have a prayer request for my sister who has an important interview tomorrow (Tues). If you have a chance, please say one for her :) I come from a very faithfilled home but it is only recently that it has become much more personal. Thanks for walking with me :)
Jodie
My Nugget:
10 Each one of you will put to flight a thousand of the enemy, for the Lord your God fights for you, just as he has promised. 11 So be very careful to love the Lord your God.
Joshua 23:10-11
Each one of us will have an enemy to defeat, but always remember the Lord your God fights for you and he can not be defeated!!!
Jodie, praying for your sister's interview. Ask her to read and/or memorize Joshua 1:8. It's a promise that will give her confidence and peace at the interview.
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
Blessings!
Debbie - North Carolina
I agree with you Wendy about just going to church on the coat tails of those who have gone before us. It seems like for some it has become a routine thing to do because that's what I always have done. A devotion I read recently, said that for "some Churches there is only the idea that Jesus is our pattern. In the New Testament Jesus Christ is the Savior long before He is the pattern. Today He is being portrayed as the figurehead of a religion-a mere example. He is that, but He is infinitely so much more. He is Salvation itself; He is the gospel of God!"
I have a few Church friends that are still seeking..."What do you mean by a personal relationship to Jesus Christ?...I've always gone to Church."
I am a big believer in "seed planting". We can plant spiritual seeds everyday in our everyday experiences. Sometimes we will be around to see them bloom and sometimes we won't. Perhaps we are called to water the seeds that were planted by someone else. Leading a person to Christ can be a process. I know how hard I tried to explain it to my then boy friend when I was in college. He was a faithful church goer with his family but didn't understand why he needed to accept Jesus as his Lord n Savior. It was really bothering me especially when a gal in my bible study group in college said, "I would never marry someone who wasn't a comitted Christian." That hit me pretty hard would I decide not to continue my relationship with Dave if I couldn't make him understand! But I loved him! Would it matter? these were all the thoughts going around in my head. Finally I just gave it over to the Lord and said, perhaps I'm not the person to help him understand. But, Lord, if Dave is the person I am suppose to marry, please show him the way to have a personal relationship with you. As soon as I let go and let God it happened through a Lay Witness Mission that was hosted by my Church. He took me back to school and that week I received a letter from Dave and it was so very evident in his letter that the blinder's were removed and he understood. The excitement could be read in this letter. That was over 34 years ago...Yes, I married Dave and I still have that letter in the bottom of my jewelry box! So you ladies whose husbands we are praying for...hang in there. You probably have done the seed planting. Sometimes we show them more by our actions than by our words. Once again trust that the Lord has the whole picture. Pray to God and ask if it is not me that leads my husband to you...I pray that you place someone or a circumstance into our lives that will. Amen!
My insight from the reading today comes from "Joshua's Final Words to Israel". He calls the tribes together and asks them to remember their past leaders who had been called by God...Abraham, Moses and Aaron, and I Joshua. Remember
where we came from and how we got to this promised land. God was faithful and did everything he promised.
Remember to:
-follow everything Moses wrote in the book of Instruction
-Cling tightlly to the Lord
-Love the Lord your God
-Serve and worship the Lord our God only (no other gods or idols)
-Do not associate with other people still in the remaining land
Joshua says, "You have seen everything the Lord your God has done for you during my lifetime."
As they all agreed to the covenant that was made by their ancestors... Joshua renewed the covenant made by Moses and recorded these things in the Book of Discipline.
Thus I feel we are also called to do the same. I am reminded of my own spiritual journey with the Lord and called to remember where I came from and how I got here.
It's awesome to read Psalm 139 and to know that God knew me before I was even born! A note at the bottom of my study bible sent me to Psalm 16: 9-11 and that note says that it describes the joy of total security in the Lord, The Lord will not abandon even if we fail.
It says to me remember where I came from and to be reminded of what he has done in my life. Each one of us has a personal story of that journey...at witness to his goodness and faithfulness. He stands firm and it is I who abondons Him. Sometimes we need to be reminded to be still and know that He is God.
Thinking of all of you this day!
Debbie in Illinois
Oh Wendy--
I just love your insights today...I was just lamenting to the Lord this morning how I so want my children to possess their own faith and convictions at an early age. Although they "know" the gospel and "know" Jesus I want for them to own it much, much earlier than I did.
To tie this in with the nugget I shared with Debbie from North Carolina, I will stop talking so much to and at them and start praying desparately for them and let God put to flight a thousand of the enemy!!
I also noticed how Joshua commended obedience in one breath and commanded obedience in the next...Be careful...I think that pride or thinking we're doing it right just because we want to is overrated! Any strength I have to obey Him at all comes straight from Him!!
Joy, I also loved the references back to clinging to Him...I prayed for you as I read it earlier.
Jodie, I'm saying a prayer for your sister right now!
Thanks for being a part of the journey, ladies. I sure appreciate you all.
WOW, I know I left a message late yesterday and you all probably didn't see it, but I am so happy to know you all are praying for everyone who is going on this journey. And, it just struck me that yesterday I posted a prayer request for my son, Joshua, as we are going through this book. And, I keep reading parts to him about his name-sake. I am so sad to see the Joshua (in the Bible) die. I too pray that my Joshua is just like him. A man who obeys God. You are all an inspiration to me during this troubling time. Thank you for the insights daily on this blog, Wendy, as well as the rest of you. I am praying for all that is mentioned here. God bless you all this week. We will have results from my son's EEG on Friday. Praying for a no-seizure week!! God is the great healer and all powerful. My faith is strong.
Just a note to "say hello and let you know I'm here" as you requested. I often read but don't comment. So many others have such great thoughts and comments that I usually feel mine would be so pale in comparison that I just don't take the time.
For years we had a plaque on our door also that said, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord". But time and weather took it's toll...it was a wooden plaque....and it finally had to be taken down. It's not been taken from our hearts though. That's one of my husband's favorite verses.
I'm doing a 1-year-blogging-anniversary giveaway on my blog today and tomorrow if you'd like to drop by.
http://marilyn-nogreaterjoy.blogspot.com/2009/03/one-year-blogging-anniversary.html
God bless,
Marilyn
Afternoon sisters. Just popping in real quick to say hi and say I enjoyed all the comments and insights today. I also underlined many things in the reading for today. As we are doing this I find myself seeing things I never saw before in other times I have skimmed, not really read very well, parts of the OT. Debbie, thank you so much for all your comments and advice on praying for our husbands. Our Pastor did a GREAT message on 1 Peter 3:1-7 yesterday. I pray I am that type of wife that he will see Christ in me and through my behavior without me having to say anything. My prayer is that in God's time our whole house will serve the Lord!
Prayers and blessings, have a great rest of the day!
Don't have lots of time today, but wanted to tell you the nugget that I keep reading repeatedly..."just as He promised."
How often I doubt the promises God has spoken over my, and our, lives. Yet, over and over, He has proved faithful to those we are reading about. I am learning to cling to His promises, and remember His faithfulness. Just like Lynn said, "He is the same God yesterday, today, and tomorrow."
Happy Day Everyone! Praying for all of you!
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