SCRIPTURE: Joshua 22:1-9
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
1. “You have not deserted your brothers but have carried out the mission the LORD your God gave you” – This passage should be remembered and applied to us as followers of Jesus, since we are also on a mission with the Lord, and must prove faithful in service and not desert our brothers and sisters around the world who are actively serving Him and His cause.
2. “But be very careful to keep the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the LORD gave you” – As they go back to the other side of the Jordan, it is possible that distance can make their love grow cold. Joshua urges them to not allow distance to weaken or undermine their loyalty to the Lord. I may be very ‘spiritual’ when I am with others, or in church, but what am I like (or what am I doing) when I am out of the public eye, when I am not in a ‘spiritual’ setting (though God is everywhere, sometimes we act as if He is not).
3. “To love the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to obey his commands, to hold fast to him and to serve him with all your heart and all your soul” – This is a fitting summary for all of us. It speaks of a seriousness (repeated in several ways) that I find weak in my own life, and maybe for a lot of us in the ‘christian west’. We hold fast to forgiveness and to the hope of heaven, but seem to have a loose grip on the Lord, His ways and commands. This may be something to memorize and remind ourselves of daily.
PRAYER:
Lord, there are times when I am away from the public eye, and my heart wanders. While I am in the public role, I am an active “missionary”, but who am I when no one is looking (except You). Help me to love You, to walk in Your ways, to obey our commands, to hold fast to You and to serve You with all of my heart and soul. Amen.
As Joshua addressed the people, he reminded that they have seen all what the Lord God had done for them. As I look at my life and even the day to day events, how do I see Jesus? How do I recount all what He has done for me. It is He Who brought me this far. It is by His grace I am able to do the work I am doing. He continues to go before me each and every day. How great is my God!
In my walk I must be careful to obey His Word. My focus must be on serving Him – living for Jesus – and not what the peoples do. Help me to be true to You Lord in all I say and do.
What does the Lord my God require of me? To love the Lord my God with all my heart, all my soul, all my strength, all my mind, all of me. Help me this day Lord to continue my walk in Your Way in all I do and say.
The splendor of a King,
Clothed in majesty
Let all the earth rejoice,
All the earth rejoice
He wraps himself in light,
And darkness tries to hide
And trembles at his voice,
And trembles at his voice
How great is our God,
sing with me
How great is our God,
and all who sing
How great, How great
Is our God