Victory’s Battle Cry—A Study in Joshua Part 22—Valiant Courage to Obey

As we are drawing near to the end of the book of Joshua and nearing the end of Joshua’s life on earth, we read in chapter 23 that Joshua had grown very old. The children of Israel had possessed the land and had enjoyed a “long season” of peace, prosperity and rest. Joshua reminds the people of all that God had done for them. Then he admonished them to “⁶ Be ye therefore of a valiant courage to observe and do all that is written in the book of the Law of Moses, that ye turn not there from to the right hand nor to the left” (Joshua 23-GNV) and “cleave unto the Lord your God.” (Joshua 23:8-KJV)

I remember the day my son pledged to uphold the law with honor, truth and integrity. He very solemnly takes that oath seriously as he daily puts his own life in peril to carry out that pledge. Shouldn’t we as Christians be willing to pledge our allegiance to the truth of the Gospel in Christ at whatever cost?  As Joshua, we might say, “Be of valiant courage to obey and follow after all that God has commanded.”

Yet, some might want to say; God does all the work of salvation, all I do is accept His gift, and then go on about my life. So, why would it take valiant courage to do God’s will and to obey Him? Why do we need to cling to the Lord with all our might? He is our portion and our great tower. He is our victory. So why do we need valiant courage to follow Him?

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The Master Weaver

by Effie Darlene Barba

Broken threads my life you found

And with your love each piece you bound

A song of love your lips resound

With gentle hands, each thread you place

Oh could it be, amazing grace

A picture clear, my Savior’s face

What joy divine, could it be true

Each broken thread, you only knew

When woven tight would look like you

The Scarlet threads my broken heart

The deepest sorrows blue impart

Each silver thread of tears that fell

You guide my life with such detail

A brilliant gold, your love divine

My sins were washed, a white sublime

You gently weave with skillful hand

The portrait mine that you have planned

Oh, let me Lord remember this

That I might know with joy and bliss

You did ordain my every tear

That I might learn to never fear

That I might trust the weaver’s hand

And on this hope and promise stand

Your love will always know what’s best

Your cradling arms are where I rest

Broken threads my life you found

And with your love each piece you bound

A song of love your lips resound

With gentle hands, each thread you place

Oh could it be, amazing grace

A picture clear, my Savior’s face

What joy divine, could it be true

Each broken thread, you only knew

When woven tight would look like you

 

Though I wrote this poem/song many years ago—it remains so true for my life still today.  God in his Sovereign Grace has planned a portrait that will one day when finished look like Christ.  Imagine that—one day all the scars will fade away and I shall stand radiant, clothed in His Glorious Righteousness.  That hope and promise of grace today and future grace which will accomplish all that he has planned for me is what causes me to arise from whatever ashes I find myself in to sing a song of praise to my Lord and King. 

Listen to the song version of this   The Master Weaver

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 with the exception that I do own full copyrights to this song; however, I receive no money for you enjoying, watching or sharing it.  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 21-How to Resolve Conflicts

Have you ever misjudged someone? You thought they were your friend and they had been there to help you through the bad times; yet, something happens and suddenly you question their motives. You become frustrated and deep within your mind and heart is this bubbling unrest, fear, anger and a sense of betrayal. Or perhaps the Christian Media has denounced a Christian teacher/preacher that you admired and had studied under. What do you do? Do you join the crowd condemning them?

Artwork used by written permission of Ronald Barba click on image for more information.

How should we as Christians resolve conflict, particularly within the body of Christ? Too often we do behave much like the mafia when confronting other Christians. Philippians 2:” ³ Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves….¹⁴ Do all things without murmurings and disputings:”

As we read on in Joshua 22, there is a message to us on how to resolve conflict among the people of God.

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Victory’s Battle Cry-A Study in Joshua Part 20—Steps to Remain Victorious

As we have read in Joshua, they entered the Promised Land with God’s guidance each step of the way. The people had been very diligent to do all of what God commanded. The men from the Gadites, Reubenites and the half-tribe of Manessah had remained faithful to their promise to stay and fight alongside the remaining tribes until all had been accomplished. Since their inheritance had been on the east of Jordan, this meant they had left behind all their possessions, their children, and their wives to fulfill their obligations as God had commanded. We are not told how many years this was; but, we know that it was years. Now it was time to return to their homes. They had been faithful to God and to His commands. Joshua calls them to tell them that it was now time for them to return to their home land east of the Jordan. When he does he then tells them:

Joshua 22(KJV) ^{“ 5} But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the Lord charged you, to love the Lord your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.”

Why would he tell them this? Hadn’t they shown their devotion all of these years?When are you and I most vulnerable to drifting? It is during the moments of rest and prosperous times that we tend to forget. When we no longer are confronting the heat of the battle, we tend to get complacent.

photo courtesy of @istockphoto.com

Whatever the season you are in can you say? Psalm 42: “As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. ² My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God”

What are the steps Joshua instructs us to take so as to ascertain our continuing victory during the times of rest?

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Mercy Unveiled in Life’s Ebb and Flow

By Effie Darlene Barba

 

Torn between the places of my life

Torn between the joy, pain, love and strife

I searched for You in the darkest night

Rejoiced with You in the brightest light

Discovered in You, my Sovereign Lord

Love, hope, joy were my unjust reward

 

If I were to gaze back o’er my life

My failures cut deep like a sharp knife

Filling my heart with guilt-Oh wretched pain

My faith so small would wax and wane

All the times I shunned your acts of love

Putting selfish thoughts of mine above

 

Yet, you have always stood tried and true

Giving me your grace and mercy too

How did you love me with love so great

When I have grumbled such words of hate

Never seeing You were all I need

My callous words caused your heart to bleed

 

I do not wish to stay this course

That causes you so much remorse

Clinging to you through the ebb and flow

Tides of emotions from high to low

  I need you to hold me in your arms

There where I am safe from all life’s harms

 

Let your Glory shine through me I pray

That my life shine forth Your love  today

  Lift me high above these earthly fears

That all might see Your Joy through tears

I desire for nothing more than this

All should know You are their Joy and Bliss

© 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.”