Victory’s Battle Cry-A Study in Joshua (Part 19)—The Infallibility of God’s Promises
This past weekend with its trip to Orlando, I must say was filled with emotion. As I told you in the last post, it is as though my heart is torn between the cities. How I wish that I could scoop up all my children and move them near to me. How I wish I had the finances and where withal to just make that happen without any worries or concerns. Could I have been more frugal in my past?
You parents out there, I am certain understand those feelings. You would gladly suffer anything if only you could protect your children from all pain, heartaches and sorrows. Yet, remember this; in our imperfect love we have never loved one of our children nearly as much as God’s love for His only son. He knew our hearts could perhaps understand that illustration to demonstrate the love within the trinity. Then, imagine this; God loved you and me so much that He would endure the pain of watching His Beloved son suffer and die that we might be saved.
Yes, He knew that the suffering would one day increase the joy and Glory of Christ as He gathered the remnant of believers around the throne. It is that truth which should encourage us when we don’t understand the plans before us.
That is the truth found in Hebrews 12: “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.” Did not Jesus weep over Jerusalem as He realized how many would be forever lost because of their unbelief?
While in Orlando, I breakfasted with one of the doctors I had previously been honored to work with. He asked me if I ever worried about my son being a sheriff. My answer was: “If I truly believe that God is Sovereign, then how could I ever worry about anything. Because I know God is Sovereign over my life and the life of my children; then, I know that no matter what, God is working out the best plan for their lives. His plan is a plan to bring about their greatest joy in Him”
Joshua 21 stands as a reminder of God’s Sovereignty and includes principles that we need to be reminded of.
1. Principle one is that we are to pray. God is Sovereign and working out His plan in our lives. There are many promises within the scripture that we can incorporate in our prayers. Perhaps this is more to remind ourselves of His provision for us while at the same time drawing us closer to Him, so He can guide our hearts and minds into His comforting arms of love. As we turn to Joshua 21, we find that the people of Israel have entered into the lands that they were promised from God. The lands were all divided amongst the tribes of Israel as God commanded. Once this was completed the Levite tribe then came to Joshua and the leaders to remind them that God had promised them cities spread throughout the lands. They were to have various cities scattered amongst the other tribes so they would as the priests be accessible to all the other tribes. This had been God’s plan. The designation of these cities was then made.
2. Worship is an important part of our Christian growth and Strength-we need to be a part of a local church body to be nourished on the word of God and to gather strength in this earthly journey. Note that the priests were to be scattered in cities so that they could be close and approached by all the people.
3. We are to provide for church through our gifts. Just as each tribe was to give up land and cities to the priests, so are we to provide for our pastors and spiritual leaders as well as the body of the local church.
4. Always remember that God is working out His plan in the life of the believer for their good. I must trust His plan in my life and I have seen each of my children profess a saving faith in Jesus Christ; therefore, I must trust God’s plan in their life as well. Just as God did for the Israel nation as noted in Joshua 21(NIV): “43 So the Lord gave Israel all the land he had sworn to give their ancestors, and they took possession of it and settled there.44 The Lord gave them rest on every side, just as he had sworn to their ancestors. Not one of their enemies withstood them; the Lord gave all their enemies into their hands. 45 Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.”
5. Even when I do not understand, let me say as did Job in Job 23: (MSG) 13-14“But he is singular and sovereign. Who can argue with him?
He does what he wants, when he wants to.
He’ll complete in detail what he’s decided about me,
and whatever else he determines to do.”
So when doubts or sorrows try to take hold on my heart let me say as did Charles Spurgeon. “Fits of depression come over the most of us. Usually cheerful as we may be, we must at intervals be cast down. The strong are not always vigorous, the wise not always ready, the brave not always courageous, and the joyous not always happy.”“I find myself frequently depressed – perhaps more so than any other person here. And I find no better cure for that depression than to trust in the Lord with all my heart, and seek to realize afresh the power of the peace-speaking blood of Jesus, and His infinite love in dying upon the cross to put away all my transgressions.”- Charles Spurgeon
Listen closely to the moving words of this song written by William Cowper in 1774, who out of the depths of serious depression would arise to write with such illumination, having found the answer and solace in God for his life.
God moves in Mysterious Ways by William Cowper
New International Version(NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
The Message (MSG)
Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson
© 2014 Effie Darlene Barba
Artwork is used with written permission of Ronald Barba who owns the copyright. His work can be found at: http://fineartamerica.com/art/all/ronald+barba/all
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