The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Joshua 17:16,
"The hill country is not enough for us, and all the Canaanites who live in the plain have chariots fitted with iron, both those in Beth Shan and its settlements and those in the Valley of Jezreel."
Members of the two tribes making up the "people of Joseph" approached Joshua to complain they needed more land. Joshua told them to clear the land already given them and clear out the Canaanites living there. I note their response is one that reflects a helplessness and a certain lack of confidence in the Lord to provide them success.
Contrast their outlook to that of Caleb when he approached Joshua, "Now then, just as the Lord promised, he has kept me [Caleb] alive for forty-five years since the time he said this to Moses, while Israel moved about in the wilderness. So here I am today, eighty-five years old! I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I'm just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. Now give me this hill country that the Lord promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the Lord helping me, I will drive them out just as he said." Joshua 14:10-12.
Caleb had a bold, confident, indomitable warrior spirit. Not so the people of Joseph. I am confident that today we need believers who have cultivated indomitable warrior spirits in love. By that, I don't mean a people looking for a fight, but a people strong in heart, confident in the Lord with unshakable faith in him.
In a day when lawlessness is expected, (see 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12), believers need to be prepared for spiritual challenge and to meet that challenge with full faith and confidence in God who brings victory. Paul's words come to mind here, "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love." 1 Corinthians 16:13-14.
"The hill country is not enough for us, and all the Canaanites who live in the plain have chariots fitted with iron, both those in Beth Shan and its settlements and those in the Valley of Jezreel."
Members of the two tribes making up the "people of Joseph" approached Joshua to complain they needed more land. Joshua told them to clear the land already given them and clear out the Canaanites living there. I note their response is one that reflects a helplessness and a certain lack of confidence in the Lord to provide them success.
Contrast their outlook to that of Caleb when he approached Joshua, "Now then, just as the Lord promised, he has kept me [Caleb] alive for forty-five years since the time he said this to Moses, while Israel moved about in the wilderness. So here I am today, eighty-five years old! I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I'm just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. Now give me this hill country that the Lord promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the Lord helping me, I will drive them out just as he said." Joshua 14:10-12.
Caleb had a bold, confident, indomitable warrior spirit. Not so the people of Joseph. I am confident that today we need believers who have cultivated indomitable warrior spirits in love. By that, I don't mean a people looking for a fight, but a people strong in heart, confident in the Lord with unshakable faith in him.
In a day when lawlessness is expected, (see 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12), believers need to be prepared for spiritual challenge and to meet that challenge with full faith and confidence in God who brings victory. Paul's words come to mind here, "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love." 1 Corinthians 16:13-14.
We need believers who face the challenges ahead with an indomitable warrior spirit! Strong like Caleb and not like the people of Joseph!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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