Effie Darlene Barba

As we turn to the book of II Samuel, we read the ongoing saga of King David.  Samuel had died, even before Saul.  In the Jewish Bible these are named I and II Kings; but in ours it is II Samuel most likely because it had been Samuel who anointed both Saul and then David.  The story begins with ongoing turmoil in the land, ultimately to settle into peace and prosperity under King David.  At least for a time.  David was only 30 years of age when crowned King.  Although, the time prior to this had seemed much longer with all the twists and turns.  For the first 20 years, all went well.  Israel expanded their territory.  Every household prospered.  But then one decision changed triumph to tragedy.  Sin, with all its consequences then plagued David’s life.  The Sovereign Grace of God won declaring victory in the end.

Sin has a way of doing that.  It seeps into our lives.  Hardly aware it leads to one decision.  One decision that led to many unforeseen consequences.  Despite his repentance and his position with God being restored, King David would watch the consequences play out tragically through the lives of his sons and his people.  Yet the grace of God won the victory.  The line that marched forward to the birth of Jesus Christ marched always forward in spite of the failures of humanity.  God’s Sovereign Grace would prevail.  It marches on today.  The penalty of sin was paid at Calvary and the Victory won as Jesus rose from the grave.  One wondrous day, He will return.  There will be a new heaven and a new earth where we will be with Him forever.  Yet, for now even one decision can turn triumph into tragedy in our life as well. 

One Decision to Stay

 Then it happened in the spring, at the time when kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab and his servants with him and all Israel, and they brought destruction on the sons of Ammon and besieged Rabbah. But David stayed in Jerusalem.   2 Samuel 11:1 (NASB)

Up until this time, David went to war with his troops.  This was the custom.  Was it pride that kept him behind?  Or had he decided that war was for the younger men.  After all, he was comfortable in his palace surrounded by servants. 

² Now at evening time David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the king’s house, and from the roof he saw a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful in appearance. ³ So David sent servants and inquired about the woman. And someone said, “Is this not Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?” ⁴ Then David sent messengers and had her brought, and when she came to him, he slept with her; and when she had purified herself from her uncleanness, she returned to her house. ⁵ But the woman conceived; so she sent word and informed David, and said, “I am pregnant.”  2 Samuel 11 (NASB)

Note that David was given a warning in a sense.  Someone said, this is Bathsheba, daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah.  David, she is married and she is someone’s daughter.  But by then, he was smitten with desire and heard nothing of what they said. 

One Decision leads to another

Now that one decision not to go to war, lead to a restless night which lead to temptation.  After all that, then begins the attempt to cover up his sin.  As though he thought he could cover it up from God as well.  Besides how many of his servants knew of all this. 

So, he sends for Uriah who proves more noble than the king.  Even after bringing him home, Uriah refused to go to his house and sleep with his wife.  He was an honorable man.

¹⁰ Now when they informed David, saying, “Uriah did not go down to his house,” David said to Uriah, “Did you not come from a journey? Why did you not go down to your house?” ¹¹ And Uriah said to David, “The ark and Israel and Judah are staying in temporary shelters, and my lord Joab and the servants of my lord are camping in the open field. Should I then go to my house to eat and drink and to sleep with my wife? By your life and the life of your soul, I will not do this thing.”  2 Samuel 11 (NASB).

Then David wrote a letter to the head of his army and gave it to Uriah to deliver it sealed.

Station Uriah on the front line of the fiercest battle and pull back from him, so that he may be struck and killed.” ¹⁶ So it was as Joab kept watch on the city, that he stationed Uriah at the place where he knew there were valiant men. ¹⁷ And the men of the city went out and fought against Joab, and some of the people among David’s servants fell; and Uriah the Hittite also died.  2 Samuel 11 (NASB)

David married Bathsheba and the baby died.

Far Reaching Consequences from One Decision

Never can we look to say what could have, would have, or should have been had David not made that one decision to stay home from battle.  But we do know that God’s works His wondrous plans to fruition and certainly doesn’t need us to sin for Him to do so. 

God had said that many nations would come from Abraham.  That did not justify Abraham’s sin with Hagar.  Sin has far-reaching consequences.  In the case of David, the remainder of the chapters are just that. 

His oldest son Amnon looked lustfully upon his half sister and set out a plot to sexually violate her—then cast her aside.  Her brother Absalom then plotted and killed Amnon. 

All made worse because the King did not punish or judge his sons.  Perhaps his own guilty hands prevented it.  Had he not done the same. 

Absalom later tried to take over the Kingdom from his father.  David had to run for his life from his son.

But the grace of God restored David and even gave the kingdom to Solomon, the son of Bathsheba.  And it was through Solomon that the lineage to Jesus was outlined to Joseph.  But it was Nathan, another son of David, who had the blood line to Mary—not Solomon.

Jesus Christ, the true King foretold was born to a virgin in the little town of Bethlehem.  It was and always is the Sovereign grace of God that won and wins still today.    

Does Repentance Alter the Consequences of Sin?

David had repented.  Albeit his repentance we know was delayed at least for a time.  Nathan the prophet (not the same Nathan as his son), came to David to confront him with his sin. 

Then the Lord sent Nathan to David. And he came to him and said,

“There were two men in a city, the one wealthy and the other poor.
² The wealthy man had a great many flocks and herds.
³ But the poor man had nothing at all except one little ewe lamb
Which he bought and nurtured;
And it grew up together with him and his children.
It would eat scraps from him and drink from his cup and lie ^[c]in his lap,
And was like a daughter to him.
⁴ Now a visitor came to the wealthy man,
And he could not bring himself to take any animal from his own flock or his own herd,
To prepare for the traveler who had come to him;
So he took the poor man’s ewe lamb and prepared it for the man who had come to him.”

⁵ Then David’s anger burned greatly against the man, and he said to Nathan, “As the Lord lives, the man who has done this certainly deserves to die! ⁶ So he must make restitution for the lamb four times over since he did this thing and had no compassion.”  2 Samuel 12 (NASB).

This was an example.  Note David’s wrath against the man.  The law would have said regarding the lamb, the man should restore it 4-fold.  But David proclaimed the death penalty for the crime.  At least until

2 Samuel 12: 7-15

⁷ Nathan then said to David, “You yourself are the man! This is what the Lord, the God of Israel says: ‘It is I who anointed you as king over Israel, and it is I who rescued you from the hand of Saul. ⁸ I also gave you your master’s house and put your master’s wives into your care, and I gave you the house of Israel and Judah; and if that had been too little, I would have added to you many more things like these! ⁹ Why have you despised the word of the Lord, by doing evil in His sight? You have struck and killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, you have taken his wife as your wife, and you have slaughtered him with the sword of the sons of Ammon.

¹⁰ Now then, the sword shall never leave your house, because you have despised Me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.’ ¹¹ This is what the Lord says: ‘Behold, I am going to raise up evil against you from your own household; I will even take your wives before your eyes and give them to your companion, and he will sleep with your wives in broad daylight. ¹² Indeed, you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel, and in open daylight.’”

¹³ Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has allowed your sin to pass; you shall not die. ¹⁴ However, since by this deed you have shown utter disrespect for the Lord, the child himself who is born to you shall certainly die.” ¹⁵ Then Nathan went to his house.

And Absalom, years later, did sleep with David’s concubines on the rooftop for all of Israel to see. 

So, what about us?  Can one Decision turn triumph to tragedy?

There is no doubt that one decision can change the course of our life.  But remember this.  The Sovereign Grace of God won the victory for us.  We will not be cast aside or thrown out of His loving arms.  Jesus Christ finished the work for us.  Will there be natural consequences which will affect our life?  Certainly, but then the grace and peace of God will carry us through them to final victory as we lay them at His feet, His peace will restore us to a joyful relationship with Him?

Then, should we like David, not admonish our children because we also sinned?  Absolutely not.  We must tell them with sincerity the cost of our own sin along with our desire that they avoid that pain.  So let us end with David’s prayer of repentance for His sin.

PSALM 51 (NASB)

51 Be gracious to me, God, according to Your faithfulness;
According to the greatness of Your compassion, wipe out my wrongdoings.
² Wash me thoroughly from my guilt
And cleanse me from my sin.
³ For I know my wrongdoings,
And my sin is constantly before me.
⁴ Against You, You only, I have sinned
And done what is evil in Your sight,
So that You are justified when You speak
And blameless when You judge.

⁵ Behold, I was brought forth in guilt,
And in sin my mother conceived me.
⁶ Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being,
And in secret You will make wisdom known to me.
⁷ Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
Cleanse me, and I will be whiter than snow.
⁸ Let me hear joy and gladness,
Let the bones You have broken rejoice.
⁹ Hide Your face from my sins
And wipe out all my guilty deeds.

¹⁰ Create in me a clean heart, God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
¹¹ Do not cast me away from Your presence,
And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
¹² Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,
And sustain me with a willing spirit.
¹³ Then I will teach wrongdoers Your ways,
And sinners will be converted to You.

¹⁴ Save me from the guilt of bloodshed, God, the God of my salvation;
Then my tongue will joyfully sing of Your righteousness.
¹⁵ Lord, open my lips,
So that my mouth may declare Your praise.
¹⁶ For You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it;
You do not take pleasure in burnt offering.
¹⁷ The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
A broken and a contrite heart, God, You will not despise.

¹⁸ By Your favor do good to Zion;
Build the walls of Jerusalem.
¹⁹ Then You will delight in righteous sacrifices,
In burnt offering and whole burnt offering;
Then bulls will be offered on Your altar.

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.

Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here

Previously

How to Really Remain Faithful to God from Priests to Politicians

DISCLOSURES

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2023
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Credits

New King James Version (NKJV)

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

New Living Translation (NLT)

Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.

Photo licensed from Goodsalt

What is the difference between the person who remains faithful to God versus the ones who walk away?  In I Samuel we see one priest arise from the last judge to the first prophet while another declines into blinded ruin.  We also see a politician’s decline into nothingness while a shepherd poet rises to greatness in this world.  What are the differences among these men and the lessons we can learn?  How can we really remain faithful to God?

The book of I Samuel is the story of 4 men:  Eli, Samuel, Saul and David.  Two began well and fell into ruin, while two remain faithful to God.  What are the differences?  And what can we learn from them?  Furthermore, why is this important to us today?  Paul in writing to Timothy described what we would face as the last days approached.  As we read these words, let us consider all that surrounds us.  Then let us take to heart the lessons on how to remain faithful from the contrasting of these 4 men in I Samuel.  

2 Timothy 3 (NASB)

But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. ² For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, slanderers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, ³ unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, ⁴ treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, ⁵ holding to a form of godliness although they have denied its power; avoid such people as these. ⁶ For among them are those who slip into households and captivate weak women weighed down with sins, led on by various impulses, ⁷ always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

⁸ Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men of depraved mind, worthless in regard to the faith. ⁹ But they will not make further progress; for their foolishness will be obvious to all, just as was that also of Jannes and Jambres.

¹⁰ Now you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance, ¹¹ persecutions, and sufferings, such as happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra; what persecutions I endured, and out of them all the Lord rescued me! (this he wrote from jail right before he was beheaded)

¹² Indeed, all who want to live in a godly way in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. ¹³ But evil people and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. ¹⁴ You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, ¹⁵ and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

¹⁶ All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness; ¹⁷ so that the man or woman of God may be fully capable, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3

How to Remain Faithful to God Contrasting Two Priests

Eli had been priest and indeed also taught Samuel as his understudy.  Yet, as time goes by we are told.

 Now the boy Samuel was attending to the service of the Lord before Eli. And word from the Lord was rare in those days; visions were infrequent.² But it happened at that time as Eli was lying down in his place (now his eyesight had begun to be poor and he could not see well), ³ and the lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord where the ark of God was, ⁴ that the Lord called Samuel; and he said, “Here I am.”  1 Samuel 3

God, Himself, is such a poetic writer.  Referring to Eli, God wrote, “his eyesight had begun to be poor and he could not see well but the the lamp of God had not yet gone out.  Visions were rare in those days, as humanity were growing ever more blinded to the truth of God.  What had been Eli’s great sin?  He had turned “a blinded eye to the corruption of his own sons”

¹³ For I have told him that I am going to judge his house forever for the wrongdoing that he knew, because his sons were bringing a curse on themselves and he did not rebuke them. ¹⁴ Therefore I have sworn to the house of Eli that the wrongdoing of Eli’s house shall never be atoned for by sacrifice or offering.” I Samuel 3

God told Eli through Samuel judgement had come to his house.  Eli’s sight faded on into utter blindness as he did nothing.  Oh, he had told them “no”; but then did not remove them for their transgression. 

Had Eli Been Warned before?

Yes, God had sent another man of God to Eli in chapter 2.  But Eli chose to tolerate his sons’ sins in the name of love.  Yet God chose for Himself a new priest who would be also His prophet.

Thus, Samuel became the priest whom God had chosen.  He was also the last of the judges and the first of the prophets.  Beyond that, God chose Samuel to anoint both King Saul and King David. Just as God had promised to do.

I will raise up for Myself a faithful priest who will do according to what is in My heart and My soul; and I will build him an enduring house, and he will walk before My anointed always.  I Samuel 2:35

Eli’s sons were killed by the Philistines as they stole the Ark of God.  Hearing of it, Eli fell off the seat and died.  His grandson born that day was named Ichabod, meaning, “the glory has departed from Israel, because the ark of God had been taken” 

But God

Everywhere in the Philistine territory that the ark was taken, the people were plagued with mouse shaped tumors while their crops were destroyed by mice.  So much so, they ultimately returned the Ark to Israel with guilt offerings of golden mice plus herd to provide sacrifice. 

Meanwhile,

Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life …Now it came about, when Samuel was old, that he appointed his sons as judges over Israel. ² The name of his firstborn was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; they were judging in Beersheba. ³ His sons, however, did not walk in his ways but turned aside after dishonest gain, and they took bribes and perverted justice.

⁴ Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah; ⁵ and they said to him, “Behold, you have grown old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint us a king to judge us like all the nations.” ⁶ But the matter was displeasing in the sight of Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.” And Samuel prayed to the Lord.   I Samuel 7:15 to 8:6

Note the contrast.  When Eli’s sons did wrong, Eli told them “stop that.”  When Samuel’s sons did wrong, Samuel went to God.

A Tale of Two Kings and How to Remain Faithful to God

Now, when God first called Saul to be King, he was humble.  Yet, this greed, arrogance, and pride took over.  Indeed, he turned so far away, that he disregarded all the commandments of God.  Contrast that with David, who also began humble, but remained so.  David also demonstrates how to remain faithful to God, by waiting on God’s timing, praising God for all that He does through psalms, and during his exile never taking the matter into his own hands.  He trusted God’s timing. Saul became determined to kill David.  As an evil politician, Saul could not tolerate the truth.  It was his own rebellion, pride and sin which lost him the Kingdom.  God chose David to be his successor.  Saul, refused to remain faithful to God.  Rather he chose to do things his way. 

Neither would he take counsel from those who were righteous around him—Samuel, David, and his own son Jonathan. Instead, He held fast to his own pride.  Instead of seeking counsel from God, he sought counsel of a medium.  In this, Saul demonstrated the truths of Proverbs 12

One who separates himself seeks his own desire;
He quarrels against all sound wisdom.
² A fool does not delight in understanding,
But in revealing his own mind….

¹²Before destruction the heart of a person is haughty,
But humility goes before honor.

David on the other hand sought counsel from God.  Even when Saul lay vulnerable before him, he refused to take his life.  Why?  Because he would not himself kill the King whom God had anointed, even if the King had now become evil.  David knew that God would remove Saul in God’s own timing. Thus, David chose to remain faithful to God.    He trusted God’s word instead of his own heart. 

So, what can we take from this?  How do we remain faithful to God?

He has told you, mortal one, what is good;
And what does the Lord require of you
But to do justice, to love kindness,
And to walk humbly with your God?  Micah 6:8

And how do we do that? I Mean Remain Faithful to God

1.  Trust Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, knowing the gospel truth that He is God Incarnate who is the only one who could pay your penalty for sin.  Acknowledge that you are a sinner in need of a Savior.
2. Then realizing that your salvation came from Him alone, humbly walk before Him.
3. Study His word, every day of your life.
4. Pray for Him to guide you.

¹⁷ But you, beloved, ought to remember the words that were spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁸ that they were saying to you, “In the last time there will be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts.” ¹⁹ These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit. ²⁰ But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, ²¹ keep yourselves in the love of God, looking forward to the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life. ²² And have mercy on some, who are doubting; ²³ save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh.

²⁴ Now to Him who is able to protect you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory, blameless with great joy, ²⁵ to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority before all time and now and forever. Amen.  Jude

11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. Revelation 19:11

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.

Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here

Previously

FINDING HOPE God Accomplishes Redemption Amid the Darkest Hours of Life How?

DISCLOSURES

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2023
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Credits

New King James Version (NKJV)

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

New Living Translation (NLT)

Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.

Photo taken by Effie Darlene Barba

Throughout all the history of humanity, there has been this one drumbeat of hope.  Like a golden thread of hope weaving its way through all the harsh and blackened tones of life.  All forming and leading to one portrait of Jesus Christ as Messiah, King, Redeemer, and Lord over all things.  In Him the world was formed and in Him it holds together.  Amid all the darkest hours of life, God Accomplishes Redemption, just as He planned from the beginning of time.  One Eternal God in three persons carrying out His plan to redeem a people, displaying the depth of His Grace as part of His magnificent glory.  Maintaining His perfect righteousness and justice through it all. 

Too often, humanity wants to declare their own righteousness apart from Him.  But look around you.  Look deep into your own heart.   There we see dark and bitter thoughts.  Desires for power, position, and money.  Depravities of heart from jealousy, anger, and insatiable appetites for pleasure.  Searching for joy apart from Him.  Never realizing He is the only one who can fill our heart with joy.  Everyday we are bombarded by stories, agendas, and new flashes attempting to shape our lives.  All tending to pull us even further from Him.  But there is hope, peace, and joy that can be found in Him. 

Focus your eyes upon Him.  As we read through these scriptures before us, let us not forget.  God Accomplishes Redemption even amid the darkest hours of life here on earth.  That is the story of Ruth and the story of David as we shall see. 

Cycles of Darkness in Humanity

If there is one recurring theme throughout scripture, it has been the utter depravity of the human heart and the patient merciful grace of God.  You or I most likely would have said done, washed our hands of the whole mess, and ended the world in a second of time. 

What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with great patience objects of wrath prepared for destruction? ²³ And He did so to make known the riches of His glory upon objects of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory, ²⁴ namely us, whom He also called, not only from among Jews, but also from among Gentiles, ²⁵ as He also says in Hosea:

“I will call those who were not My people, ‘My people,’
And her who was not beloved, ‘beloved.’”
²⁶ “And it shall be that in the place where it was said to them, ‘you are not My people,’
There they shall be called sons of the living God.”  Romans 9 (NASB).

We saw in Judges, how God dealt with great mercy.  Even those whom He called to save the people were at best men with many flaws.  But God used them to His Glory, just as He does flawed men and women today. Demonstrating that it is not by works alone, but His Grace that saves any of us.  For all deserve destruction and death.  The sooner we realize this truth, the greater our gratitude and responsiveness to Him. 

God Accomplishes Redemption Even Amid Darkness, Pain, and Suffering

Now it came about in the days when the judges governed, that there was a famine in the land. And a man of Bethlehem in Judah went to reside in the land of Moab with his wife and his two sons. ² The name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife, Naomi; and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehem in Judah. So they entered the land of Moab and remained there. ³ Then Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, died; and she was left with her two sons. ⁴ And they took for themselves Moabite women as wives; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other, Ruth. And they lived there about ten years. ⁵ Then both Mahlon and Chilion also died, and the woman was left without her two sons and her husband. Ruth 1 (NASB)

Often preachers attempt to say that all this tragedy occurred due to their lack of faith.  After all, they sinned by not trusting God, going into Moab to cohabitate and then their sons married Moabite women.  All true.  But the real story is not their failure.  The real story is how God accomplishes redemption even amid all the darkness, pain, suffering, and sin.  He not only redeems Naomi, but also Ruth.  Now does that mean their sins were not sins?  No.  Does that mean God couldn’t have accomplished His plan without their sinning?  No.  It is not ours to consider what God might have, could have, or would have done.  Instead, it is ours to see what He did do.

God’s Marvelous Redeeming Grace

Ruth, a Moabite woman, declares her desire to follow after Naomi and to worship God (forsaking all the pagan deities of her people).  God sends for her a kinsman redeemer (a portrait of Christ for us) and she becomes the grandmother of King David.  As such, she is in the direct line of Christ, along with Rahab the harlot.  Oh, such grace, such marvelous grace.

⁵ Salmon fathered Boaz by Rahab, Boaz fathered Obed by Ruth, and Obed fathered Jesse. ⁶ Jesse fathered David the king. David fathered Solomon by her who had been the wife of Uriah.

Who can consider the ways of God?  He chooses the weak to confound the powerful.  Would we have chosen these?  Most likely not.  But that is good news for you and for me.  I am not His because of anything I possess, or I could do.  He chose me and God Accomplishes Redemption in me, in spite of me. 

 we know that God ^[causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. ²⁹ For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters; ³⁰ and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.  Romans 9 (NASB).

One day, I will look like Christ.  My heart will love like His does.  One day, though at moments that thought seems more than I can understand.  But it is true.

I Samuel:  God Accomplishes Redemption Amid the Darkness

The book of I Samuel opens with the story of a very sad woman named Hannah.  Her despair and deep sorrow lead to her promising the Lord to give Him her first-born son in service to God.  Little did she realize that God allowed all this because Samuel was to play a major role as God Accomplishes Redemption amid the darkness.  The priest’s sons were very evil and thus, Samuel became the priest whom God used to call Saul to be the first king of Israel.  He also was the one who anointed David.  All this playing forth, moving forward in time to the birth of Jesus Christ.  All working together as God Accomplishes Redemption Amid the Darkness of this world. 

Ever part of history whispers hope, as we look to God.  He is our Savior, our King to whom we bow forever.   He takes our darkest hour and turns it to glory for all who know Him as Lord and Savior.  There is no fear.  So, let us once more read this in

Psalm 34.

I will bless the Lord at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
² My soul will make its boast in the Lord;
The humble will hear it and rejoice.
³ Exalt the Lord with me,
And let’s exalt His name together.

⁴ I sought the Lord and He answered me,
And rescued me from all my fears.
⁵ They looked to Him and were radiant,
And their faces will never be ashamed.
⁶ This wretched man cried out, and the Lord heard him,
And saved him out of all his troubles.
⁷ The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him,
And rescues them.

⁸ Taste and see that the Lord is good;
How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!
⁹ Fear the Lord, you His saints;
For to those who fear Him there is no lack of anything.
¹⁰ The young lions do without and suffer hunger;
But they who seek the Lord will not lack any good thing.
¹¹ Come, you children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
¹² Who is the person who desires life
And loves length of days, that he may see good?
¹³ Keep your tongue from evil
And your lips from speaking deceit.
¹⁴ Turn from evil and do good;
Seek peace and pursue it.

¹⁵ The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous,
And His ears are toward their cry for help.
¹⁶ The face of the Lord is against evildoers,
To eliminate the memory of them from the earth.
¹⁷ The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears
And rescues them from all their troubles.
¹⁸ The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
And saves those who are ^[b]crushed in spirit.

¹⁹ The afflictions of the righteous are many,
But the Lord rescues him from them all.
²⁰ He protects all his bones,
Not one of them is broken.
²¹ Evil will bring death to the wicked,
And those who hate the righteous will suffer for their guilt.
²² The Lord redeems the souls of His servants,
And none of those who take refuge in Him will suffer for their guilt.

Psalm 34

God Accomplishes Redemption within us in Christ Jesus

Notice the cry of salvation in verses 19 through 22 of Psalm 34.  Also note the reference to Christ in verse 20 and then the last verse mirrors the sentiment of Romans 8:1-6

8 Therefore there is now no condemnation at all for those who are in Christ Jesus. ² For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. ³ For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, ⁴ so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. ⁵ For those who are in accord with the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are in accord with the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. ⁶ For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace,

Finding Hope in Darkness

This world is filled with a lot of darkness, even more as we approach the time of His return.  Thank God, our hope does not depend on human intellect, but on God.

³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, ⁴ just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love ⁵ He predestined us to adoption as sons and daughters through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, ⁶ to the praise of the glory of His grace, with which He favored us in the Beloved. ⁷ In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our wrongdoings, according to the riches of His grace ⁸ which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight

⁹ He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He set forth in Him, ¹⁰ regarding His plan of the fullness of the times, to bring all things together in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. ¹¹ In Him we also have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things in accordance with the plan of His will, ¹² to the end that we who were the first to hope in the Christ would be to the praise of His glory.

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.

Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here

Previously

4 Powerful Truth About Life Taught by God in Judges

DISCLOSURES

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2023
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Credits

New King James Version (NKJV)

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

New Living Translation (NLT)

Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.

Photo licensed through Goodsalt.com

        Slavery, redemption, journey through the desert lands, and finally taking possession of the promised land.   Israel was finally at its height. One would think.  All the warnings to remember.  The promises to God and from God.  Covenants that the people would follow God, no matter what and put no one above Him.  Now, having reached the land, we come to the book of Judges.  Judges is a book of bloody violence, failures, and God’s redemption played out repeatedly.  Why did God include the book of Judges?  Well, therein lies some of the most powerful truth about life on this earth: 1. the depth of sin that lies within the human heart 2.  the futility of human wisdom, 3. the sovereignty of Almighty God and 4. overwhelming mercy of a loving God who remains faithful to His Covenant. 

        When the hardship passes and prosperity arrives, the human heart turns to folly.  Throughout the book of judges, we see the same pattern of the people.  Complacency and prosperity led to tolerance.  Tolerance ultimately led to assimilation.  Assimilation then turned to imitation which led to rebellion against God.  This becomes the recurrent theme throughout the book of judges.  When God commanded them to destroy the evil idolatrous nations, Israel would become content to either tolerate their presence or even use them for slavery.  But as time went by, their ideologies were intermixed with those of other nations and religions, thus assimilation would occur.  The more they saw the humanistic desires fulfilled in the false idolatrous religions, imitation began.  Ultimately, rebellion against God occurred as He was then the one who commanded they do not indulge in these idolatrous rituals and pleasures. 

And so, the cycle continued.  Tolerance, assimilation, imitation, rebellion, enslavement, cry out to God, and God’s deliverance. 

Powerful Truth about Life—Sin cycle

 Now the angel of the Lord came up from Gilgal to Bochim.  And he said, “I brought you up out of Egypt and led you into the land which I have sworn to your fathers; and I said, ‘I will never break My covenant with you, ² and as for you, you shall not make a covenant with the inhabitants of this land; you shall tear down their altars.’ But you have not obeyed Me; what is this thing that you have done? ³ Therefore I also said, ‘I will not drive them out from you; but they will become like thorns in your sides, and their gods will be a snare to you.’” ⁴ Now when the angel of the Lord spoke these words to all the sons of Israel, the people raised their voices and wept. ⁵ So they named that place Bochim; and there they sacrificed to the Lord.  Judges 2: (NASB)

But then what happened?

 ¹⁰ All that generation also were gathered to their fathers; and another generation rose up after them who did not know the Lord, nor even the work which He had done for Israel.

In other words, they failed to teach their sons and daughters about God.  The first step in a nation’s demise is to fail to teach the children of the wonders of God. No wonder we are in trouble, and this is an important truth we must know. 

¹¹ Then the sons of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord and served the Baals, ¹² They abandoned the Lord, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt. And they followed other gods from the gods of the peoples who were around them, and bowed down to them; so they provoked the Lord to anger. ¹³ They abandoned the Lord and served Baal and the Ashtaroth. ¹⁴ Then the anger of the Lord burned against Israel, and He handed them over to plunderers.  And they plundered them.  He sold them into the hands of their enemies around them, so that they could no longer stand against their enemies. 

¹⁵ Wherever they went, the hand of the Lord was against them for evil, as the Lord had spoken and just as the Lord had sworn to them, so that they were severely distressed.

But God, Faithful to His Covenant

This story is bigger than just the story of the Israelite people.  God’s plan of redemption, based 100% on grace, meant these people would survive in spite of themselves. 

¹⁶ Then the Lord raised up judges who saved them from the hands of those who plundered them. ¹⁷ Yet they did not listen to their judges, for they committed infidelity with other gods and bowed down to them. They turned aside quickly from the way in which their fathers had walked in obeying the commandments of the Lord; they did not do the same as their fathers. ¹⁸ And when the Lord raised up judges for them, the Lord was with the judge and saved them from the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge; for the Lord was moved to pity by their groaning because of those who tormented and oppressed them. 

¹⁹ But it came about, when the judge died, that they would turn back and act more corruptly than their fathers, in following other gods to serve them and bow down to them; they did not abandon their practices or their obstinate ways. ²⁰ So the anger of the Lord burned against Israel, and He said, “Because this nation has violated My covenant which I commanded their fathers, and has not listened to My voice, ²¹ I in turn will no longer drive out from them any of the nations which Joshua left when he died, ²² in order to test Israel by them, whether they will keep the way of the Lord to walk in it as their fathers did, or not.” ²³ So the Lord allowed those nations to remain, not driving them out quickly; and He did not hand them over to Joshua.

Facing these nations is a test.  We too are under a test.  Is my heart truly, fully devoted to Him?  If not all my efforts are in vain. 

POWERFUL TRUTH: Our Sin filled Heart is Worse than We Know

As we even look through the groups of judges listed, we find some of the most corrupt, weak, and humanly incompetent people.  Yet, God chose them.  Not because they were the most upright and perfect people.  Instead,

²⁶ For consider your calling, brothers and sisters, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; ²⁷ but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, ²⁸ and the insignificant things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, ²⁹ so that no human may boast before God. ³⁰ But it is due to Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, ³¹ so that, just as it is written: “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1 (NASB). 

Every prophet or preacher who were allowed to see the Glory of God, fell to the ground in utter despair.  The moment they saw Him, they realized the depth of their own sin filled heart. 

God never hid the failures of His people, even His chosen.  Why?  Because the glory for anything good goes fully to God and not to the people.  They were chosen by Grace and grace alone.  What they did to the Glory of God was in spite of their heart, as God performed His will through them. 

POWERFUL TRUTH:  The Futility of Human Wisdom

Each fall came when the people determined their human ideologies were better than God.  After all, why should we condemn their idol worship?  We will just tolerate their words and ideas, so as to be more loving.  Isn’t that Godly?  But tolerance leads to assimilation—intermingling of the ideologies.  After that comes imitation of the sin and ultimately absolute rebellion against God.  We also know this is a major problem due to every time the Bible says they did what they think is right in their own eyes, it led to disaster.

²⁴ And the sons of Israel departed from there at that time, every man to his tribe and family, and each one departed from there to his inheritance.  ²⁵ In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.  Judges 21 (NASB). 

Also noted in Deuteronomy 12:8, Judges 17:6 or as noted in Proverbs.

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a person who listens to advice is wise. Proverbs 12:15 NASB

Every person’s way is right in his own eyes, But the Lord examines the hearts.  Proverbs 21:2 NASB

Our wisdom is but foolishness. 

Powerful Truth:  The Sovereignty of Almighty God

All things happened by God’s direct Will and Sovereignty.  Every detail has been God working forth His will.  He is all in all perfect in all that He does.  Salvation through Jesus Christ was His plan.  Even if that meant He used Samson with all His flaws to preserve His people.  Ruth went to Moab, not an act of faith.  There her husband and sons died.  She returned with Ruth, a Moabite daughter-in-law who became the grandmother of David in the lineage of Jesus Christ. 

Regarding Gideon, God won the battles with only 300 men so that no one could claim themselves to be strong or smart.  They won to the praise of God’s Glory.  And Gideon, was a frightened young man, who did mighty things in the strength of God.  He then made a monument to Glorify God and a reminder to all the people.  But they chose to worship the object after Gideon’s death, instead of worshipping God, Himself.  Again, the foolishness of human wisdom and proof of the depth of sin in human hearts.

Powerful Truth:  Overwhelming Mercy of a Loving God who remains Faithful to His Covenant. 

God, in spite of the frailties of sin filled human hearts marches forward with Overwhelming Mercy of a Loving God.  Faithful to His Covenant, He has marched throughout history to perform all that He Will. 

We, who know Him, are most humble, free, and thankful that He has called us—though unworthy of His love. 

And because of all this:  I suggest each morning you ask yourself:

Is knowing Jesus better than ______________?  (Fill in the blank with what you are pleading for)

Am I willing to live the life God asks me to?

Is there anything in my life that doesn’t please God?

Am I available to be use by God however He sees fit?

                                 From sermon by Keith Simon, The Crossing Church

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.

Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here

Previously

Battle Cry of Victory with Joshua, a Harlot, and a God Trusting People

DISCLOSURES

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2023
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Credits

New King James Version (NKJV)

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

New Living Translation (NLT)

Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.

Photo licensed through Goodsalt.com

After all that happened, it was finally time to cross the Jordan River into the promised land.  This would be the Battle Cry of Victory.  And these are the instructions God gave to Joshua.  However these instruction are what we need as well. Today, in our times, we know that we march forward to the end when Jesus will return.  He is our destiny.  Just to be near Him eternally.  As we approach that day, let us take heed also to these same instructions. 

1 Now it came about after the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, that the Lord spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ servant, saying, ² “Moses My servant is dead; so now arise, cross this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them, to the sons of Israel.

³ Every place on which the sole of your foot steps, I have given it to you, just as I spoke to Moses. ⁴ From the wilderness and this Lebanon, even as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and as far as the Great Sea toward the setting of the sun will be your territory. ⁵ No one will be able to oppose you all the days of your life. Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not desert you nor abandon you. Joshua 1 (NASB).

5 Steps to Succeed in the Battle Cry of Victory

 ⁶ Be strong and courageous, for you shall give this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. ⁷ Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the Law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may achieve success wherever you go. ⁸ This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will achieve success. ⁹ Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be terrified nor dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

1. Be Strong and Courageous
2. Be Careful to do as Commanded in God’s Word
3. Meditate on God’s Word Day and Night
4. Do Not Fear
5. Do NOT Be Dismayed

How?  Never forget the Lord Your God is with you wherever you go.  No matter how dark the circumstances surrounding you, He is there.  In your most desperate desert moments, He is there.  He will supply your every need, every step of the way.

Battle Cry of Victory From Gentile Harlot to Faith’s Hall of Fame

So, under the leadership of Joshua the people prepare to cross over Jordan into the land God had promised them. Their fathers had stood here once before; but, the people didn’t trust God. They became afraid when the “spies” had returned with a fear filled report about the giants.  Joshua was there.  In fact, he along with Caleb were the only ones to give a good report of faith.  He knew that what looked impossible to the human eye was possible because of God.  The lack of faith of the majority brought God’s judgment. 

Joshua is now to lead the next generation into the land. In Joshua 2, he sends out two spies to view the land—particularly he sends them to Jericho. Knowing the history, why would he think it a good idea to send spies now? Seems a little foolish, no?  After all he is risking a repeat of the same old thing he had seen over the past many years.  Therefore, I wonder.  Were men really sent to check out the land?  Or perhaps, they were sent at God’s command for an entirely different purpose.  A miraculous plan of God involving the salvation of one harlot. Remember Jesus crossing the Sea of Galilee through a horrific storm in order to save one demon-possessed man and return again.  Only one man was saved that day. So, it be. God sent the spies to save Rahab and her family. 

A Much Bigger Plan Leading to a Battle Cry of Victory for All

Precisely it was the home of Rahab in Jericho where they ended up.  There was where they were met by a prostitute who warned them of danger.  At risk of her own peril in Jericho, she took them in.  She hid them. And she created a plan for their safe return to Joshua.  Why would she do that?

She had heard of the miracles that God had performed among the nation of Israel.  Thereby, she believed that God would leadHispeople into the land.  Thus, she believed theirs would be the Battle Cry of Victory and wanted to be a part of that.  She believed that God was the one and true God who would deliver this land into the hands of His chosen. Rahab had seen God as Glorious and so worthy of her humble adoration, fear and awe. Even having never met Him, she believed.  Her faith saved her, washing away all her guilt and sin to clothe her with God’s righteousness. Now it was time to act on that faith.  So when Rahab saw the men, she ushered them onto her rooftop where she hid them.

Listen to the conversation that followed.

Joshua 2 (KJV) ”⁹ And she said unto the men, I know that the Lord hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you.¹⁰ For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed.¹¹ And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the Lord your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.”

Rahab’s faith led to the salvation and protection of herself and her family when the Israelite nation marched around Jericho and God gave them the city. Yet, more than that, Rahab was a part of a much bigger story. She was the mother of Boaz, the kinsman redeemer of Ruth (a Moabite woman). Both being in the lineage of Christ (Matthew 1:5).  Furthermore, she was named on the faith hall of fame in Hebrews 11:

³¹ By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.

Her actions did not save her.  Instead, her faith did. Her actions were merely representative of the faith she already held deep within her heart.  She stood in awe and wonder at the Glory of God before she had chosen to protect these men.  Furthermore, she trembled at the mighty power of God and knew of her own unworthiness.  She protected them even before she knew they would agree to protect her.

3 Important Thoughts About Rahab for Us to Follow

1 Rahab acted out of faith. Her acts demonstrated she truly believed—the Lord your God, He IS God in heaven above and in earth beneath. Therefore let the same be said of us. 

someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” ¹⁹ You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. ²⁰ But are you willing to acknowledge, you foolish person, that faith without works is useless? ²¹ Was our father Abraham not justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar?

²² You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; ²³ and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called a friend of God. ²⁴ You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. ²⁵ In the same way, was Rahab the prostitute not justified by works also when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? ²⁶ For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.  James 2

2 Her faith had come from hearing first

Romans 10:” ¹⁷ So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God.”

She was willing to put her life and her family’s life on the line; because she believed so strongly that God would accomplish His promise.  What are you willing to put on the line?  And what are you doing to send His word out to others. 

3 God saw her heart. This is the Battle Cry of Victory.

That was why God sent the spies so that she could hide them.  They in turn protected her.  Note: God is a God of tiny details particularly for all who believe in Him.

²⁸ And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. ²⁹ For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters; ³⁰ and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. Romans 8.

Seeing God in His Glory, trembling at His majesty, and believing that He is the great I AM ultimately results in our living a life that presents the gospel to the world. We may not have always gotten every step right; but God looks at our trembling, broken hallelujahs born out of our awe filled hearts and uses them to His Glory.

God Leads The People—A Memorial is Established

Once more, God demonstrates to His people the majesty of His power and His Glory. He halts the raging river while all the people cross over the Jordan into the Promised Land. The priests were in the midst of the River with the Ark of the Covenant—a symbol of God’s presence and strength.

Once everyone had safely crossed over, God tells Joshua to have one man from each tribe to go back, pick up a stone from where the priests are standing and bring it to the place they will camp that night to build a memorial shrine as a reminder of what God did for them and a reminder as of the perfect sovereignty, righteousness, justice, Mercy and grace that is God.

God remained faithful to redeem Himself a people in spite of all their failures in the past.  He is about to prove to the entire world that He is the Victory in every trial or battle of life.  But there He has them pause and set up a memorial to be a reminder to all the generations to come of God’s Faithfulness.

Joshua 4 (NIV):

 When the whole nation had finished crossing the Jordan, the Lord said to Joshua, ² “Choose twelve men from among the people, one from each tribe, ³ and tell them to take up twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan, from right where the priests are standing, and carry them over with you and put them down at the place where you stay tonight.”…⁶ to serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’⁷ tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever.”

We tend to be such a forgetful people as well. After all that God has done to demonstrate His love and mercy to us, we forget and then we have a failure in faith with the next trial we confront. These are the things we must remember if we are to live a victorious joy filled life. We must remember God’s perfect Love, Sovereignty, Righteousness, Justice, Mercy and Grace. What are your memorial stones?  Perhaps a picture, a cross, an ornament.  Not to bow down to and worship, but to be a reminder of God’s faithfulness to you. 

Final Steps In Possessing the Land

So, the children of Israel had crossed over Jordan.  They were finally going to take possession of the land that God had promised to Abraham so many years before. Imagine their excitement.  The eagerness they must have felt. Anxious to move on further.  Yet, they waited calmly at their first destination. There was no mention of grumbling, impatience, or fear among these who had been chosen. In fact, you may find it strange that it was  there they stopped for a while. Joshua circumcised the people before they moved any further.  They then tarried there until all were healed.

This was an act of surrendering faith born from hearts that loved, feared, and awed God for who He IS. They knew the armies of the land which had caused their parents to tremble and doubt, could easily come and attack while they were all weakened from the surgery. Yet, there was no doubt here. Everyone surrendered to the knife cutting away their flesh. The circumcision did not save them.  Nor could the law save them.  Instead, the circumcision was merely symbolic of the circumcision that had already occurred in their heart. They were willing to sit and wait for God to say “Go”.

Why Such Surrender?

They had glimpsed at God’s Glory and they desired to be a people who worshiped God. They had been captivated by His Glory, His Beauty, His Honesty, His Power, and His Abiding Love. Their hearts had been transformed into hearts that sought after God and that loved God with all their heart, all their soul, and all their strength.

They had learned that the letter of the law could not save them; but, it would have to be a transformed heart that had been changed by the power and spirit of God. Just, as God had promised in:

Deuteronomy 30(GNV)

“ ⁵ And the Lord thy God will bring thee into the land which thy fathers possessed, and thou shalt possess it, and he will show thee favor, and will multiply thee above thy fathers. ⁶ And the Lord thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, that thou mayest love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.”

This act of circumcision was an outward sign of the transforming work within their hearts. They could not live a Holy life, obey the law, or love God as they should without a transformed heart. The only one who could transform their heart was God through the working of the Spirit.

 Romans 2: (GNV) ²⁹ But he is a Jew which is one within, and the circumcision is of the heart, in the spirit, not in the letter, whose praise is not of men, but of God.

Many, much like the Pharisees of Christ’s Day; try to follow the letter of the law. There are many who even give forth the illusion of following all of the commands but do so for the applause of men and not out of a contrite heart that bows in servitude to its Master and King. True salvation comes when the spirit begins to write the law on our hearts, Only then can we fall madly in love with Christ, desire Him and seek Him above all else that this world could offer us. All who accept Christ as their Savior, wooed by the spirit of God are being grafted into the family of God. We then are becoming the Children of the Promises because God has chosen to circumcise our hearts and cut away the fleshly desires.

God Takes Responsibility for The Transformation of Our Hearts

Do you remember a time or a moment when you could truly say that you had fallen deeply, madly in love with Christ? Has that trust, faith, and hope faded along the way? Have you taken your eyes off of Him as your greatest treasure?

Ask Him today to open the eyes of your heart that you might see a glimpse of His Glory so that you might desire Him with all your heart, your mind, and your soul. Then He will transform your heart from the inside out with the work of the Holy Spirit, so that you will become victorious against the darts of sin within your own heart.

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.

Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

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Previously

What More Must God Do for You to See Jesus Is Your Greatest Treasure?

DISCLOSURES

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2023
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Credits

New King James Version (NKJV)

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

New Living Translation (NLT)

Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.

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