After that generation died, another generation grew up who did not acknowledge the LORD or remember the mighty things he had done for Israel. (Judges 2:10 NLT) God has blessed me with a godly heritage. i was raised by parents that loved the LORD and reflected Him not only in what they said, but also in the way they lived. i came to faith in Christ at the age of six in the basement of my paternal grandparents’ home. They hosted a Bible Club in their home for many years so that their grandchildren and other children in the neighborhood could hear the stories of the Bible and learn God’s Word. My paternal great grandfather was a homebuilder and developer in our family’s homestead city, and some of his most significant projects were the building of a large church in the center-city, a Bible conference center outside of town, a site for the annual Easter Sunrise service, etc.
No Portion Left Out
It had been at least five years (maybe seven) since the Israelites had crossed the Jordan River on dry ground. And now, almost four hundred eighty years after God had first given His promise to Abram, it was no longer a “promised” land, they now had possession of the entire land – no portion had been left out.
Allow me to give a little perspective on how long four hundred eighty years is in history. Going back that time period from now would place us in the year 1535. Henry VIII is King of England (by the way, he is married to his second wife, Anne Boleyn). England is in extreme upheaval. William Tyndale is arrested in Antwerp for heresy in relation to his Bible translation. French explorer Jacques Cartier sets sail for his second voyage to the new world of North America. The Spanish wrestle control of Tunis from the Ottoman Empire. In short, the world looked much different back then. Imagine receiving a promise back then and finally receiving its fulfillment today. Even more, imagine a promise that was made back then coming to fruition today in the exact same manner in which it was promised. And that is exactly what occurred through the faithfulness of God.
Leave Nothing Undone
All these kings came out to fight. Their combined armies formed a vast horde. And with all their horses and chariots, they covered the landscape like the sand on the seashore. The kings joined forces and established their camp around the water near Merom to fight against Israel. Then the LORD said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid of them. By this time tomorrow I will hand all of them over to Israel…. As the LORD had commanded His servant Moses, so Moses commanded Joshua. And Joshua did as he was told, carefully obeying all the commands that the LORD had given to Moses. (Joshua 11:4-6, 15 NLT) The kings of the northern cities had seen all that had gone on before. They had seen the destruction of Jericho and Ai after those kings had foolishly tried to withstand the Israelites on their own. They had seen the five kings from the south who had joined forces to no avail. But again, instead of seeking peace, surrendering to the Israelites, and submitting to their God, they hardened their hearts and, filled with selfish ambition and pride, chose to fight the Israelites. As Joshua led the Israelites to turn their attention to the north, the northern kings determined that their one chance of survival was for all of the armies of the north to come together.
The day the crowd laughed at Jesus
(From Matthew 9:18-19, 23-26) A broken hearted father knelt before the Master. “My daughter has just died, but You can bring her back to life again if You just come and lay Your hand on her.” It was a request that demonstrated a simple faith – an unwavering faith. Jesus, You are able to do this thing – no matter how much it doesn’t make human sense. Jesus, You alone can do this thing. i have no one else to turn to and no one else i can ask. And Jesus, i believe with all of my heart that You will do this thing – if You will come.
Throughout His earthly ministry, many came to Jesus, but only a few had the blessing of Jesus coming with them. And when He did, it was because of the faith they had demonstrated – faith that glorifies the Father – faith that He saw in the heart of the one He was willing to go with. Faith that says – no matter how impossible the request may seem, “Jesus, if You are willing, this will occur.”
A timeless word
Last week i, together with the other members of our ministry leadership team, had the privilege of being challenged by two brothers; one a dear friend for almost twenty years – Elbert Smith, and the other, a new friend – Steve Wright, now serving at the church that was my home for many years. These two men “book-ended” our time as a ministry leadership team as we gathered and sought the Lord for His continuing direction for the days ahead for the church family we have the awesome privilege to shepherd. Interestingly, the two men have never met, though they do know of one another. So they hadn’t compared notes, and we had not coached them on what the other was speaking about. But the voices we heard from were really one voice – and though it was “still and small”, it resonated loudly in our hearts, our souls and our minds. It wasn’t a new word – but it was a timeless word.
One God Beats Five Kings Every Time
Having heard of the cunning way that the Gibeonites had deceived Joshua and become allies with the Israelites after the destruction of Jericho and Ai, King Adoni-zedek of Jerusalem was afraid. His plan was to form an alliance with the other Amorite kings of the hill country – King Hoham of Hebron, King Piram of Jarmuth, King Japhia of Lachish and King Debir of Eglon. And his plan was not to attack the Israelites; he feared them and their God too much. Rather, his plan was for this alliance of the hill country to combine their forces and attack the traitorous Gibeonites. He would deal the Israelites a setback by defeating their new ally, Gibeon, and at the same time communicate to all the Canaanite peoples that an alliance with the Israelites and their God would not be tolerated.
Why do i keep leaning on my own understanding?
But when the people of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai, they resorted to deception to save themselves. They sent ambassadors to Joshua, loading their donkeys with weathered saddlebags and old, patched wineskins. They put on worn-out, patched sandals and ragged clothes. And the bread they took with them was dry and moldy. …So the Israelites examined their food, but they did not consult the LORD. Then Joshua made a peace treaty with them and guaranteed their safety, and the leaders of the community ratified their agreement with a binding oath. (Joshua 9:3-5, 14-15 NLT)
Gibeon, which literally means “hill place”, at an elevation of about 2400 feet, towered over most of the other cities of Canaan. Gibeon was a fortress city dating back to the days soon following the flood. It had existed for almost 1000 years because it was easily defensible. But the leaders of Gibeon were not going to take their chances, and they most certainly were not going to wait for the Israelites to show up at their doorstep.
Run, Don’t Walk
God will never lead us in a journey that does not bring glory to His Name. He has purposed to draw all men, all tongues, all tribes and all peoples to Himself that we might glorify Him. He sent Jesus to pay the price and make the way. And He has sent us, that through us He will make a global impact. As we saw in the first chapter the journey began with Jesus stepping from heaven to earth. If we would walk with the Master, we must in turn step from where we are to journey with Him.
In the Beginning
In the beginning the Word already existed. He was with God, and he was God. He was in the beginning with God. He created everything there is. Nothing exists that he didn't make. Life itself was in him, and this life gives light to everyone. The light shines through the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. …But although the world was made through him, the world didn't recognize him when he came. Even in his own land and among his own people, he was not accepted. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. …So the Word became human and lived here on earth among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the only Son of the Father. (John 1:1-5, 10-12, 14 NLT)
The journey with the Master in some respects is a journey that has no beginning, because in the beginning He was. He was with God. He was God. He was the Creator of all things and in Him and for Him were all things created. He was Life and from Him life was given. He was Light and from Him light was given to the world. He was Light and through Him darkness was extinguished. He always was and He forever will be.
A Tough Week
This is a tough week for my IMB family. Plans are in full force to reduce the number of missionaries and staff that are serving by 600-800 people. The process has begun with a voluntary retirement incentive offered to all workers over 50 years of age and 5 years of service. Many are stepping into “retirement” this week at a time well in advance of what they ever anticipated. Some are stepping away from decades of faithful service. i spoke to a dear brother recently who shared that serving overseas is all that he and his family have known for twenty-seven years, and he wasn’t really sure how best to pursue God’s next step. As we spoke, i heard him express the deep sadness that so many are experiencing. The sadness extends to those who remain. It is hard to say farewell to co-laborers. Hearts have been knit together through their passionate pursuit of God’s call for the sake of the gospel and the advance of His Kingdom. There is no higher calling. There is no greater purpose. And each member of this family has given his/her all. So when family members leave, there is loss – and it is deep.