Victory’s Battle Cry-A Study in the book of Joshua-Part 3: Leaving All to Lead the Way

As we saw in the first two lessons from Joshua, Moses has died and Joshua has been chosen by God to lead the people into the Promised Land. So, He now prepares the people. Among the Israeli nation, there were two and a half tribes that had been given the land east of Jordan because they were the tribes that raised the livestock. They had large herds of livestock including cattle and sheep. This land had been appointed to the descendants of Reuben, Gad and half-tribe of Manasseh (descendants of Joseph) by God through Moses. This we can find by reading Deuteronomy 3: 12-22. These tribes had already been established along with their wives, their families and their herds in the land God had given them east of the Jordan River.  They have known peace, prosperity and have rested from their wandering.  They had no need to go across the Jordan River with the remaining tribes to claim any land. They had already arrived to their destination.  Yet, Joshua has now commanded all their men that could fight  to cross over to the west side of the Jordan River ahead of the remaining tribes who would enter the Promised Land west of the Jordan.  Imagine this, they now must leave their wives, their children and all of their possessions behind to go in front of the remaining tribes and to lead them in battle and they are not going to possess any of that land.  Once the remaining tribes have secured their land and position, these men will cross back over the Jordan to rejoin their families.

photo courtesy of istockphoto.com

Along this Christian journey, we must not become so comfortable in our current situation that we are not willing to go forward in the frontline to assist other Christians. We must not become too comfortable during our moments of great blessings that we forget our brothers and sisters in Christ who are struggling. We must not get so comfortable that we forget those Christians and missionaries who must risk their life everyday for the gospel. We cannot become so complacent that we do not speak up for the truth of the gospel when it is not “politically correct” to stand for Christ.

Indeed, when Joshua called these men out to go ahead of the fellow Israelites, they essentially said; “here we are—send us. Only be strong and Courageous!”

Continue reading Leaving All to Lead the Way →

God’s Battle Song

by Effie Darlene Barba

 

In the Battles of this life

All the trials all the strife

I hear God’s voice, this battle cry

His song of love that fills the sky

Chorus:

“Cast aside your pain and fear

For I AM always near

I have promised, so wait and see

You will have the victory

It is my Joy, My strength, my song

So take courage and be strong”

 

In my battles deep within

My heart so bent to sin

I hear God’s voice this battle cry

A song of love that fills the sky

Chorus:

“Cast aside your pain and fear

For I AM always near

I have promised, so wait and see

You will have the victory

It is my Joy, My strength, my song

So take courage and be strong”

 

When sorrow breaks my heart

When I don’t have strength to start

I hear God’s voice, this battle cry

His song of love that fills the sky

Chorus:

“Cast aside your pain and fear

For I AM always near

I have promised, so wait and see

You will have the victory

It is my Joy, My strength, my song

So take courage and be strong”

 

One day I’ll face my setting sun

When my life on earth is done

I’ll hear God’s voice, this battle cry

His song of love that fills the sky

Chorus:

“Cast aside your pain and fear

For I AM always near

I have promised, so wait and see

You will have the victory

It is my Joy, My strength, my song

So take courage and be strong”

© 2014 Effie Darlene Barba

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to any brands, products or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides regarding the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Victory’s Battle Cry-A Study in Joshua Part 2—Be Strong and of a Good Courage

So Joshua was chosen by God to lead the people across the Jordan into the Promised Land. Before Moses had died he was told by God to instruct the Hebrew nation and to anoint Joshua to be the leader of the nation. In Deuteronomy 31

Drawing used by written permission Ronald Barba,

 Moses commanded Joshua and the people three times “Be Strong and of a Good Courage.”  We will soon see these same words repeated to Joshua by God in the first chapter of Joshua.  Those words become Joshua’s battle cry to his own heart over the span of his lifetime. Are they yours?

  At God’s instruction, Moses then took Joshua with him to the tabernacle where God appeared in the in a pillar of a cloud. One might think that God was going to tell them that the people would never again be rebellious; but, that was not what God told them.  In fact, God told them that the people would once more seek after other Gods and idols once they had tasted the pleasures of the Promised Land. God knew they would be unfaithful; yet, God remained faithful to His promise and God had a plan of redemption for all who would believe in Him.

Continue reading Be Strong and of a Good Courage →

Victory’s Battle Cry—A Study in Joshua-Part 1; From Servant to Commander in Chief

There was an incredible Christian lady I met once at a conference who declared that in the book of Joshua was found every secret needed by a child of God to be victorious in every battle against the forces of sin within and the enemy without. So, I have decided it is time to embark on a journey through the book of Joshua.

As an introduction to the history behind Joshua, let us quickly review the scene on which this book begins. Moses had been chosen to lead the Israelite nation out of Egypt where they had been enslaved and into the Promised Land that had been given to Abraham so long before. God had promised this land to Abraham and his descendants.

Despite the grave moments of failures in faith and the sin filled hearts seeking self exaltation, God had preserved His remnants of faithful followers who sought after God with all their heart and soul. Despite their own human frailties they had seen just enough of God’s Glory that they knew Him to be their greatest treasure and they became those who were chosen to carry on the message of God from generation to generation

Continue reading From Servant to Commander in Chief →

My Betrothed

By Effie Darlene Barba

 

My betrothed hath gone to distant land

Preparing all that He has planned

Majestic Castle I am told

With streets and walls of purest Gold

And one day soon He comes for me

So I His Glorious Bride might be

What Gracious, wondrous love He’s shown

He paid the price, made me His own

 

How was it that He saw beneath

My filthy rags and did bequeath

His Crown to place upon my head

While taking all my shame instead

 

There’s nothing in this heart of mine

Could e’er deserve such love divine

I’ll never know what He did see

And yet, He did, He’s chosen me

 

He sent His counselor to prepare

My every flaw to then make fair

A righteous robe to then adorn

One day soon, One precious morn

 

My Lord, sometimes, I feel so frail

And fear my love for you will fail

Oh Love, my Love, I need you near

Your face to see, your voice to hear

 

Your letters pressed against my breast

A whispered prayer at each night’s rest

Awakened at some midnight’s hour

I feel your strength in me empower

 

Each day I live, I love you more

That on that Joy my heart doth soar

The trials, pains all fade away

While I await my wedding day

 

My betrothed hath gone to distant land

Preparing all that He has planned

Majestic Castle I am told

With streets and walls of purest Gold

And one day soon He comes for me

So I His Glorious Bride might be

What Gracious, wondrous love He’s shown

He paid the price, made me His own

© 2014 Effie Darlene Barba

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to any brands, products or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides regarding the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”