Bible Pathway - Mar. 13, 2010
Highlights:
Moses is dead! God chooses Joshua, the servant of Moses, to lead this great multitude. See the miracles as, by faith, the feet of the priests touch the water. At last, after 40 years, the two million children of the adults who were delivered from Egypt enter their promised land.
Verses for Today:
Arise, go over this Jordan. . . . I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. . . . Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid . . . for the Lord thy God is with thee withersoever thou goest (Josh. 1:2,5,9).
Joshua was born in Egyptian slavery. While the majority complained and found fault with Moses during their desert trials, Joshua remained a faithful coworker with Moses. His faith in God almost caused him to be stoned to death by the former generation when he urged them to go into Canaan (see Num. 14:6-10).
To be brought out of Egypt was one thing, but it was altogether another to go over this Jordan (Josh. 1:2) and thus become committed to the struggles against the power of Canaanites with their chariots of iron (17:16) and their armies of giants (Num. 13:33). To do this was to commit themselves to a course which 10 out of 12 spies who reported on the land 28 years earlier had opposed. The crossing of this Jordan was a major step of faith which the former generation refused to take. To the natural eye, it was a risk of losing everything — even their very lives.
By faith, Rahab the harlot decided to put her trust in the One True God and protect the spies. She eventually had the honor of being in the Messianic Line. The key to a prosperous and successful life was clearly stated (Josh. 1:8), and God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34). Christians face a similar choice of faith — whether or not there will be a once-and-for-all abandonment of self to the will of God, so that He is truly first in one's life.
It is one thing to take Christ as Savior from our sins, but it is another to make Him Master of our will and life. It is one thing to move out of Egypt — a type of the unregenerate life — to join the people redeemed by God and live by faith; but it is another thing to cross over Jordan and present your bodies a living sacrifice . . . and be not conformed to this world (Rom. 12:1-2).
When the Lord is leading the way, we will conquer the "giants" in our lives. Victory is assured. Whether it is overcoming a Pharaoh, a Red Sea, the wilderness, or other "giants" in our lives, such as fear, lust, jealousy, envy — His grace is sufficient.
But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him (Heb. 11:6).
Thought for Today:
But be ye doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves (James 1:22).
Christ Revealed:
Through the scarlet line in the window that saved Rahab and her household — symbolic of the blood of Christ (Josh. 2:21; Heb. 11:31; James 2:25). The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin (I John 1:7).
Word Studies:
1:1 minister =sssistant; 1:4 coast =territory, boundary; 1:15 rest =peace; sunrising =east; 1:17 hearkened unto =obeyed; 2:17 blameless =free, released; swear =promise under oath; 2:19 on our head =our responsibility; 2:20 quit =free; 3:16 Salt Sea =Dead Sea; against =opposite
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Government Official: Gov. John Hoeven (ND) • Country: Botswana (1.5 million) in southern Africa • Major languages: English and Setswana • Limited religious freedom because of local chiefs • 58% Christian; 40% Indigenous; .8% Baha'i; .2% Muslim; .2% Other • Prayer Suggestion: Pray in one accord with other Christians (Acts 1:14).
Optional Reading: John 4
Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 5:3-6
