March 19, 2006 - Joshua 1-3 and Mark 16
I am always so encouraged when I read these first chapters of Joshua. The Lord used them in my life years ago to lead me to be strong and courageous, and I will never forget how He took care of me then, and how He has continued to provide for me ever since. God is so wonderful! Joshua found that out didn't he? I hope you know that, too.
The theme of Joshua 1 is to be strong and of good courage, because God is with every believer who is seeking to do His will in faith. The reality is that we must be following His Word for that to be true. (v.8) Therefore, if we follow His Word, He will give us good success. What does that mean? It means we will enter God's rest, where we trust Him to supply our needs out of His abundance, instead of trying to supply our own needs. (v.13, 15) That is what God wants for you today.
Chapter 2 shows how the pagans had come to trust God, because of His powerful works in bringing the Israelites out of Egypt and in bringing them through the wilderness. (v.11) Rahab was a harlot at one time, but she became a believer. Isn't that how God works? He is looking at the heart, and Rahab's heart was open to Him. She helped the spies, and her family was promised safety. God works out His will in wondrous ways.
Chapter 3 shows that God wanted to exalt Joshua as the new leader, but Joshua gave God all of the glory for the power to overcome nature and their enemies. That is how it should be always. We should give Him all of the glory. Just like the Red Sea dried up so the people could cross on dry ground, the Jordan River dried up, so they could cross on dry ground. This miracle showed God's presence with Joshua. However, it showed how God works in different ways. The Red Sea dried up before they stepped into it. The priests had to step into the water of the Jordan before it dried up. That shows the faith of Joshua to follow God even though He was doing it a new way. We need to have that simple faith like Joshua.
Mark 16 celebrates the resurrection of Jesus. Focus in on that as you read it. He is not here! The tomb was empty. They did not have to figure out how to roll away the stone. God rolled it away to show them Jesus was gone. He sent His messenger to inform them. Then, the ladies went to tell the disciples, and Peter. What a jolt for them. What joy, but what surprise. The Lord was dead. They saw Him die. Now, He was alive. What was going on. They would have to wait to find out. They would have to follow one step at a time. That is what all of us must do each day. He does not tell us everything. He tells us enough to keep us on track and trusting Him. That is the only way to succeed. Follow His Word in faith. He will do the rest.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Joshua 4-6 and Luke 1:1-20.
The theme of Joshua 1 is to be strong and of good courage, because God is with every believer who is seeking to do His will in faith. The reality is that we must be following His Word for that to be true. (v.8) Therefore, if we follow His Word, He will give us good success. What does that mean? It means we will enter God's rest, where we trust Him to supply our needs out of His abundance, instead of trying to supply our own needs. (v.13, 15) That is what God wants for you today.
Chapter 2 shows how the pagans had come to trust God, because of His powerful works in bringing the Israelites out of Egypt and in bringing them through the wilderness. (v.11) Rahab was a harlot at one time, but she became a believer. Isn't that how God works? He is looking at the heart, and Rahab's heart was open to Him. She helped the spies, and her family was promised safety. God works out His will in wondrous ways.
Chapter 3 shows that God wanted to exalt Joshua as the new leader, but Joshua gave God all of the glory for the power to overcome nature and their enemies. That is how it should be always. We should give Him all of the glory. Just like the Red Sea dried up so the people could cross on dry ground, the Jordan River dried up, so they could cross on dry ground. This miracle showed God's presence with Joshua. However, it showed how God works in different ways. The Red Sea dried up before they stepped into it. The priests had to step into the water of the Jordan before it dried up. That shows the faith of Joshua to follow God even though He was doing it a new way. We need to have that simple faith like Joshua.
Mark 16 celebrates the resurrection of Jesus. Focus in on that as you read it. He is not here! The tomb was empty. They did not have to figure out how to roll away the stone. God rolled it away to show them Jesus was gone. He sent His messenger to inform them. Then, the ladies went to tell the disciples, and Peter. What a jolt for them. What joy, but what surprise. The Lord was dead. They saw Him die. Now, He was alive. What was going on. They would have to wait to find out. They would have to follow one step at a time. That is what all of us must do each day. He does not tell us everything. He tells us enough to keep us on track and trusting Him. That is the only way to succeed. Follow His Word in faith. He will do the rest.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Joshua 4-6 and Luke 1:1-20.