The LORD hath delivered into our hands all the land

Bible Reading: Joshua 2; Psalm 123-125; Isaiah 62; Matthew 10

And they said unto Joshua, Truly the LORD hath delivered into our hands all the land; for even all the inhabitants of the country do faint because of us. (Joshua 2:24)

Joshua sent two men into Jericho to spy out the city and bring back a report before they invaded the land of Canaan. These men entered into the city and met a harlot named Rahab whose house was located on the city wall. As they talked with her they gathered a very important piece of intelligence – the people were terrified of the Israelites. Now the Israelites were a large group of people, but they were by no means a formidable military force. However, God had gone before them and they had defeated the Amorites on the other side of the Jordan as well as the giant Og, king of Bashan. This news had reached the inhabitants of Jericho and the people were terrified of Israel.

And she [Rahab] said unto the men, I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you. For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed. (Joshua 2:9-10)

God is so faithful! He had put a fear of Israel in the hearts of the Canaanites and was preparing them to be defeated by his people. Not only that, but before Moses died, he had informed the people that this is exactly what God would do:

And all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the LORD; and they shall be afraid of thee. (Deuteronomy 28:10)

God knows the end from the beginning. He promised to give Israel victory and he made sure that they had a report that the enemy was afraid of Israel. What battles do you face? Do you know that God goes before you? If you are led by God's Spirit, you will walk victorious! He knows the end from the beginning and here is what he says:

But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:57)

For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. (1 John 5:4)

Victory in Jesus!

In Christ,

Rody

 

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills

Bible Reading: Joshua 1; Psalms 120-122; Isaiah 61; Matthew 9

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. (Psalms 121:1-2)

"Keep your eye on the ball." How many times did you hear that as a kid? It is important where you put your eyes! If you are going to hit a baseball, you have to have your eye on the ball. If your eyes are focused on the pitcher or on your feet, you are going to miss. With that in mind, how important is it to keep your eyes on the LORD? This Psalm is a reminder that our help does not come from man it comes from the LORD. If you were standing in a valley and you were expecting help to arrive, it would have to come from over the hills. That is where your eyes should be focused!

What do we do about lying preachers? Lift up your eyes unto the hills!

What do we do about dry weather conditions? Lift up your eyes unto the hills!

What do we do about corrupt politicians? Lift up your eyes unto the hills!

The list goes on and on… The help that you need comes from your Creator! There is nothing that he cannot do! There is no problem that he cannot fix! There is nothing that happens that he does not see.

He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. (Psalms 121:3-6)

When you take a stand for Jesus Christ, the Lord will not allow your foot to be moved. He can give you the boldness and courage to life for him in a world of lies and apostasy! He keeps your soul and unlike men, God does not sleep. He is a sentry that guards your life and he will never go to sleep on the job! There is nothing in heaven or on earth that can hurt you when the Lord is keeping you.

The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore. (Psalms 121:7-8)

If you are trusting in the Lord, you are immortal. He promises to keep you from evil and preserve you. So what are you anxious about? What do you need help with? Keep your eyes on hills; the Lord is coming to your help!

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2)

In Christ,

Rody

Like a lost sheep

Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 33-34; Psalm 119:145-176; Isaiah 60; Matthew 8

I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments. (Psalms 119:176)

The last verse of the longest Psalm is a confession of sin by David. Do you confess your sin to God? In the life of this shepherd king, he had gone looking for many lost sheep. He knew the dangers to a little lamb that strayed away from the flock. A lamb is tiny and there are many predators that would devour such a small, helpless creature. Wolves, eagles, and lions are always hungry and seeking for a little lamb to devour. The Bible uses the metaphor of God's people being sheep and straying away from him.

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:6)

Are you in a vulnerable position? Are you straying away from Jesus the good shepherd and his flock? When David strayed, he knew it. He realized that he was not where he should be because he knew God's Word. Even though his life was not where it ought to be, he had the Word of God to let him know the path that he should be on.

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. (Psalms 119:11)

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. (Psalms 119:105)

Do you know God's Word so that you know when you are straying away from where the Lord Jesus wants you to be? The Word hidden in the heart of a believer is a map to avoid sin and run hard toward God. The Word is a light to the path we are to follow. If you know the Word, when you stray from it you will know it. You will be rebuked by the Holy Spirit as he points out to you that you are not following God's Word.

When David realized he had strayed, he first confessed this to God and then he asked God to seek him. He wanted the Shepherd to come and get him.

How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? (Matthew 18:12)

Jesus comes looking for lost sheep. Are you one of his sheep? Are you straying from the path? Confess and ask him to get you where you need to be!

In Christ,

Rody