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

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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.”

Fountains of Wisdom—A Study in Proverbs Part 57—A Love Song for a Queen

What a beautiful and fitting conclusion to the book of Proverbs!! God is so amazing in the writing and positioning of the scripture.

 

photo courtesy of Tony Moran © 1981

Proverbs has been a book which cuts like a surgeon’s scalpel.  For the tender hearted who desire with every ounce of their being to please God, it cuts deep at times.  If I could only learn when to keep quiet, when to speak, and how to cling tight to God’s joy in the midst of every circumstance; then I could feel worthy of God’s love for me.   Perhaps if I were slower to judge others or if I could be more discerning, I wouldn’t have to end the day seeking God’s forgiveness once more.  Perhaps if I just knew a little better how to manage money, then I would have more to give God and He would be pleased with me.  Oh, these are the knives that cut my heart.  Yet, in the midst of all the wisdom found in Proverbs; there is presented as a healing balm the truth of God’s love, grace and mercy.  There is found the truth that I am strong in Him, by Him, and through His everlasting hope, His wisdom and His never-ending, unconditional love for me.  So, how perfectly fitting is that Proverbs would end with this love song as is written in Proverbs 31:10-31.

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Fountains of Wisdom—A Study in Proverbs-Part 56—Bathesheba-A Portrait of Grace

As we begin the final chapter of Proverbs, I want to say how much I have enjoyed this journey with you and look forward to whatever study we embark on next.  Believe me, I am open to suggestions as to whether we start through a book again or return to a more spontaneous form of messages—so I would love to hear from you.

Chapter 31 begins with “the words of King Lemuel”; however, there never was a King Lemuel in the history of the Israel nation and most scholars conclude that this chapter was also written by King Solomon.  Since he was writing down the wisdom of his mother, he chose to use a pseudonym.  Was that to protect his mother from scandalous gossips?  Perhaps that is the case.  Do we know truly that much about Bathsheba other than the fact that she was the mother of Solomon, the most beloved of all of David’s wives, and by all accounts the one David had called to the palace while she was married to Uriah. 

Picture is the artwork of Ronald Barba and is used herewith the direct permission of Ronald Barba

Nowhere does the scripture tell us whether Bathesheba resisted or if she was so smitten by the King that she willingly was a part of the adultery.  Yet, I tend to see Proverbs 31 along with the truth that God chose Solomon as the successor to the throne of David as a perfect picture of God’s grace, mercy and the truth of a woman that had been stained by sin and washed whiter than snow by Grace as she truly feared the Lord and was raised high as the example of the virtuous woman.

As I have so failed at moments in my life, saved only by a gracious, patient and forgiving God; I find this chapter particularly sweet and encouraging.  God chose this chapter as part of His word, perhaps for that reason.  We will begin with verses 1-9 and listen to the words spoken by Bathsheba to her son; perhaps with greater understanding of the wisdom learned from all that she had lived.  So, what are the three admonitions given to Solomon by his mother?

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Fountains of Wisdom—A Study in Proverbs Part 55—The King Above all Kings

As we began in Proverbs 30, so shall we end that chapter with the glance at the glory, majesty and beauty of Christ glorified even higher when contrasted against the foolishness of pride filled mankind. Once more, Agur uses the portraits of that which surrounds us to show forth the beauty of the Creator.

Proverbs 30:”²⁹ There be three things which go well, yea, four are comely in going: ³⁰ A lion which is strongest among beasts, and turneth not away for any; ³¹ A greyhound; a he goat also; and a king, against whom there is no rising up.” So, let us look at these 4 comparisons.

Drawing used with written permission of Ronald Barba. © 2012 Ronald Barba and is protected under copyright laws Click on the photo for more information

1. So stately stands the lion with no fear as the enemy approaches. The lion so majestic in its walk steps slowly one foot before the other and never turns aside for fear of anything. Such is the Lion of the tribe of Judah.

As He goes before His accusers, Christ never retreated in fear. He walked steadily forward into the Garden of Gethsemane, knowing the events that were to come. He stood before His accusers in the courtyard with calm, steady resolve to do the will of His Father and to take upon His shoulders the sin of the world. He did not flinch when the flesh was torn from His body, nor when He was nailed to the cross. He could have called a legend of angels to save Him and yet, He said nothing to save Himself. After all, if He had decided not to die for us and left us to die in sin, isn’t that what we would have deserved? Yet, with the steadiness of a lion; He marched on to finish the work He came to do. 

2. The word translated greyhound in Hebrew was “girted in the loins”. The

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