December 12 - Joshua 1:10-18
December 12 - Joshua 1:10-18
10 And
Joshua commanded the officers of the people, 11 “Pass
through the midst of the camp and command the people, ‘Prepare your provisions,
for within three days you are to pass over this Jordan to go in to
take possession of the land that the Lord your
God is giving you to possess.’”
12 And to
the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh Joshua said, 13 “Remember
the word that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, saying, ‘The Lord your God is providing you a
place of rest and will give you this land.’ 14 Your
wives, your little ones, and your livestock shall remain in the land that Moses
gave you beyond the Jordan, but all the men of valor among you shall pass over
armed before your brothers and shall help them, 15 until
the Lord gives rest to
your brothers as he has to you, and they also take possession of the land that
the Lord your God is
giving them. Then you shall return to the land of your possession and
shall possess it, the land that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you beyond the Jordan
toward the sunrise.”
16 And they
answered Joshua, “All that you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you
send us we will go. 17 Just as we obeyed Moses in
all things, so we will obey you. Only may the Lord your God be with you, as he was with
Moses! 18 Whoever rebels against your commandment
and disobeys your words, whatever you command him, shall be put to
death. Only be strong and courageous.”
As we look at the book of
Joshua, we see the Israelites verbally commit to following Joshua and being
obedient to what God commands. Here we go again. The Israelites truly struggle,
just as you and I struggle, with obedience to God. This passage seems to
indicate that the people are serious about taking possession of the Promised
Land. This reminds me of myself when I have repented of sin and told God I
would not sin that sin again. Yet, shortly, I find myself coming back to God
and seeking His forgiveness.
Have you ever found
yourself in such a predicament? God’s grace is boundless. Ask Him again for
forgiveness and to be led by the Holy Spirit as you navigate this life.
Heavenly Father, how often
I have to come to You to ask for Your forgiveness for my actions, my words and
my thoughts. Thank You for loving me
through those times when I am disobedient and disappoint You. I wish I didn’t have such a struggle with
knowing what I should do and doing the opposite, but I do. I used to say, “I’m only human!”, but I know
that is just an excuse. You give me the
ability to be obedient and I have a will of my own and often make the wrong
choice. Forgive me, Father, as I know
You do, and forgive me again. I believe,
help me with my unbelief.
In Jesus’ name.
Amen!
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