The Rewards of Faithfulness - Joshua 13-15 and Luke 1:57-80
Joshua 13-15 tells us that there was still a lot of the Promised Land to be conquered, but God changed the strategy. Now, they were to divide the land, so that each tribe could complete the task of driving out the rest of the Canaanites. This shows me that there are some things that must be done by individuals or by small groups to win the victory. This is true, because each of us has individual needs and weaknesses that must be overcome by the power of God, so we must trust Him for that victory. Caleb was the example of this for all of Israel. He had been faithful from the very beginning, when the spies were sent into the land. Then, he had remained faithful for 45 more years, waiting on the Lord. He was given the land he spied out, and he was able to drive out the giants in Hebron, because God blessed his faithfulness. At 85, he had the same strength he had at 40. This could only have been God's blessing. I believe that Caleb was an example to Israel and to us that if we are faithful, God will empower us to drive out the enemies in our personal lives and live in His peace and rest.
This was definitely true of Zacharias and his son, John. Zacharias had to live in silence until John was born, because he doubted what God told him through the angel. When John was born, he was faithful to do what God had said, and he named him, John. Then, God opened his mouth so he could speak. He gave glory to God. He prophesied about the Messiah and how his son would go before the Messiah to prepare the way. That could only happen as John was faithful to God and received His power for that special task. No one ever had the same challenges that John had, but God gave him the victory as he trusted Him. What do you face today? What enemies have you not been able to defeat? Realize that faithfulness to God is the key. Go in His strength and do what He says. He will drive them out.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Joshua 16-18 and Luke 2:1-24.
This was definitely true of Zacharias and his son, John. Zacharias had to live in silence until John was born, because he doubted what God told him through the angel. When John was born, he was faithful to do what God had said, and he named him, John. Then, God opened his mouth so he could speak. He gave glory to God. He prophesied about the Messiah and how his son would go before the Messiah to prepare the way. That could only happen as John was faithful to God and received His power for that special task. No one ever had the same challenges that John had, but God gave him the victory as he trusted Him. What do you face today? What enemies have you not been able to defeat? Realize that faithfulness to God is the key. Go in His strength and do what He says. He will drive them out.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Joshua 16-18 and Luke 2:1-24.