Bible Pathways 03/21/2003

March 21

Read Joshua 22 -- 24

In Today 's Reading:

Two and one-half tribes build an altar, then return east of the Jordan; civil war averted; Joshua's final proclamation

When God told Joshua: I have given you every place where you set foot, just as I promised Moses (Joshua 1:3), Joshua did not merely "trust the Lord" that He would force the Canaanites to voluntarily give up their land. The fact is, the Israelites received their inheritance by faith; but they were to fight for every foot of land that God had promised them.

After about seven years, the Israelites under the leadership of Joshua had conquered Canaan. The LORD gave them rest on every side according to all He had sworn to their fathers. None of their enemies could withstand them, for the LORD delivered all their enemies into their hands (21:44).

The Israelites' greatest danger was yet to be faced. Joshua told the people. . . . If you forsake the LORD and serve foreign gods, He will . . . completely destroy you, after He has been good to you. . . . Now then, get rid of the foreign gods that are among you and offer your hearts to the LORD, the God of Israel (24:19-20,23).

Jesus, our ?Joshua,? freed us from sin by His substitutionary death on the cross and His triumphant physical resurrection.

We too need to be reminded daily to offer (our) hearts to the LORD. What a tragedy that so many people assume once a person has accepted Jesus Christ as Savior, he has nothing to do but "just leave everything up to the Lord." The truth is, the Lord has left it up to us. This is why you must take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, and your feet sandaled with the readiness of the gospel of peace. In every situation take the shield of faith, and with it you will be able to extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is God's word (Ephesians 6:13-17).

Christ Revealed:

Through the fellowship offering (Joshua 22:27). Our Lord offered Himself to God as our means of peace with the Father. Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1).

Prayer Needs:

Government Official: Rep. James Matheson (UT) · Country: St. Vincent and The Grenadines (120,000) in the Lesser Antilles of the eastern Caribbean · Major languages: English and French patois · Religious freedom · 50% Protestant; 17% Roman Catholic; 2% spiritist· Prayer Suggestion: In times of trouble, pray and seek comfort in the word of God (Psalms 119:50).

Optional Reading: John 12

Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 5:15