“I was forty years old when Moses, the servant of the Lord, sent me from Kadesh-barnea to explore the land of Canaan…For my part, I wholeheartedly followed the Lord my God. So that day Moses solemnly promised me, ‘The land of Canaan on which you were just walking will be your grant of land and that of your descendants forever, because you wholeheartedly followed the Lord my God.’ “Now, as you can see, the Lord has kept me alive and well as he promised for all these forty-five years since Moses made this promise-even while Israel wandered in the wilderness. Today I am eighty-five years old. I am as strong now as I was when Moses sent me on that journey, and I can still travel and fight as well as I could then. So give me the hill county that the Lord promised me. You will remember that as scouts we found the descendants of Anak living there in great, walled towns. But if the Lord is with me, I will drive them out of the land, just as the Lord said.” Joshua 14:10-13 NLT
As I read Joshua 14, I see a man who has a great sense of peace and purpose at all the stages of his life. He knows that God isn’t finished with him yet. He doesn’t give up and keeps persevering. This gives me hope to remember God’s promises for my life. I think about how Joshua might have missed out on seeing God’s promises fulfilled, if he was stubborn or lazy and followed his own path. He had an ability to see how God could use his life to bring Him glory. It seems like he knew that the battle was bigger than his eyes could see. So many times I see the miracles that Jesus has performed in my own life and I lose faith so quickly, especially when I rely on myself. “Amazed, the people exclaimed, “What authority and power this man’s words possess! Even evil spirits obey him, and they flee at his command!…I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, for this reason I have been sent.” Luke 4:36,44 NLT Am I living in such a way that I can see my struggles and trials are not all about me? Trusting in God and leaning into Him to not just get me through, but have victory? Dear Jesus, thank you for coming to this earth to save me. I want to be used by You to multiply Your kingdom. I am thankful for when I get the chance to see how my pain and victories might help someone else. Knowing that there is a bigger plan and purpose that will matter for eternity. Help me to not lose sight of that. I give You all the praise and glory. Thank you that You are always with me and You are my Hope. Amen.
Amy(amyctanner)
Sixty-six books in a year 