SCRIPTURE: Joshua 4
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
That day the LORD exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they revered him all the days of his life, just as they had revered Moses. [Joshua 4:14] God will back up His servants when they stand up for Him. He will not leave us in the lurch, He will somehow confirm our efforts, and use what we say and do for His good purpose. It may not always be in ways that we imagine or hope, but it will always be true. I may not see a river parted, but if I am sincerely devoted to doing the Lord’s work, then He will establish my efforts. Can I even go so far as to say He will perform miracles through me?
This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed at Cana in Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him. [John 2:11] Joshua was confirmed by this miraculous sign; Jesus was confirmed by many miraculous signs. The signs were intended to confirm Him as God’s messiah, the promised one, so that people would put their faith in Him. The ultimate sign is the death and resurrection of Jesus. The death – like going into a flood stage river – and the resurrection – coming out of that river alive and well, and entering the symbol of rest and blessing. If we believe the signs, and revere God’s appointed leader, we too will follow through death into eternal rest and blessing.
Joshua set up memory stones. Jesus offered memory water, loaves and bread. Baptism and the last supper are parallel symbols of the reality of God’s glory and grace. Every time we share this, we are proclaiming His victory through death until He comes again. Our children, who also benefit from this grace, will ask why we are baptised, why we eat the bread and drink the wine. And we will tell them of the miraculous signs that God has done through Jesus, and our confidence as a result.
I have no doubt that God parted the Jordan. I am confident that Jesus died and rose again. But do I trust that the Lord will back up my testimony with His Spirit and His signs? I do not want to be exalted or revered, but I do want my message to be heard and believed. I want people to know that Jesus is Lord of the Universe, and that He deserves our allegiance. To that end, I do pray that God would back up my testimony with His signs and wonders.
PRAYER:
Lord, please renew my confidence in the message, and in You. And please confirm my message with Your power! That all may know and believe!
Memory stones. And what do these stones mean? You are to tell your children about the wonderful acts of God and how He parted the waters. Great is His faithfulness!
How often do I tell my children about all what the Lord my God has done in my life? He still is faithful and I must tell my children what He has done for me. I need to tell His Story. I need to share His glory and power and might in my daily living. Living for Jesus and sharing His Good News.
As the stones were a testimony of His power and saving grace for His people I need to have open eyes to see His power and saving grace this day and share that with the people I meet and greet – proclaiming the Good News.
Help me to see You this day Lord. Help me to speake and act in Your way.
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Thou art the Potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after Thy will,
While I am waiting, yielded and still.
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Search me and try me, Master, today!
Whiter than snow, Lord, wash me just now,
As in Thy presence humbly I bow.
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Wounded and weary, help me, I pray!
Power, all power, surely is Thine!
Touch me and heal me, Savior divine.
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Hold o’er my being absolute sway!
Fill with Thy Spirit ’till all shall see
Christ only, always, living in me.