I grew up wanting to be a Moses, obviously a man easily to be honoured, but I loved Joshua. Lot’s of implications here for how to live my life as a follower of Jesus.
Then the entire congregation of the People of Israel got together at Shiloh. They put up the Tent of Meeting.
The land was under their control but there were still seven Israelite tribes who had yet to receive their inheritance. – Joshua 18:1-2 MSG
When I come into the presence of God, I do so to honour Him. When I come together with the church family, I do so to honour God. When I am obedient, I am filled and empowered with the Holy Spirit, and when I am not, I find myself neglecting to take the opportunities and blessings God is offering to me.
Joshua addressed the People of Israel: “How long are you going to sit around on your hands, putting off taking possession of the land that God, the God of your ancestors, has given you? Pick three men from each tribe so I can commission them. They will survey and map the land, showing the inheritance due each tribe, and report back to me. They will divide it into seven parts. Judah will stay in its territory in the south and the people of Joseph will keep to their place in the north. – Joshua 18:3-5 MSG
My walk with Jesus is one of progress. I have heard it called many things – a warfare, a race, a pilgrimage, a building etc. – all this denoting a continuous effort. There are strongholds to be taken, plains to be seized, fountains and woods and rivers to be gained, trophies to be won. As a follower of Jesus, I am expected to advance in faith, hope, love, knowledge, purity and holiness including gifts and graces in discipline and improvement and in being useful to others and to the Church. This is the secret to discipleship. I can expect this because I have a High Priest, Mediator, who is my Deliverer and who leads me to the land of rest. Why have I not taken my position there? While others are engaged in tending the ground, planting and sowing, erecting houses and expelling the enemy, I am content to remain. To stay where I am is an injury to myself. It is a loss to the Church and dishonours my Redeemer.
Father, I do not confess as much as I could and should. I see revival around the world and all of it starts with confession. I confess that I have not moved forward and engaged as much as I could with the gifts and graces who have provided to me. Forgive me for being comfortable remaining where I am. May I honour You by growing more to be like You.
Sixty-six books in a year 