The Second Sunday of Advent, December 8

SOMEONE GIVES MORE: THE PROMISED LAND

Joshua 1:1-9

     “Now after the death of Moses the servant of the Lord it came to pass, that the Lord spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ minister, saying, Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel….  There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.  Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land…Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper withersoever thou goest…”

    The Lord chose Joshua because of his faith in Him.  It was Joshua who had been faithful to the Lord when he went with some others to scout out the land in the first place—Caleb and he were the only two who came back with an HONEST report, instead of going along with the crowd and looking to please the others.  God knew that He could carry out His great plan through Joshua, for Joshua had a true servant’s heart.  And oh, what a marvelously wonderful plan He has for us all—if only we will be His people!  Back in Joshua’s day, and even now, Jesus calls for people to cross the Jordan River—to get our eyes off people, yes, even the “Moses” in my life, and to die to self, allowing Jesus to live fully within.   As the people of Israel were delivered out of slavery in Egypt, we were given a picture of salvation.  But now, as the next generation gets ready to cross the river, we see a people called to move on into new territory.  We see a people called to enter the battle in order to possess the fullness of the land.  As soon as they do cross over, the men were all circumcised, for they could not move on into deeper territory unless they first had the flesh of self cut away.  Salvation and being baptized in Holy Spirit and fire—the work of Jesus Christ!

     What an awesome journey ahead!  This is why Joshua is told to be strong and to be of good courage.  For us, Jesus paved the way already through the Cross, and no one can stand against you successfully IF your life is now the life of Jesus.  When your will is cut off and the will of Jesus takes its place, you will want to live by His commandments—HONESTLY, and all through the Holy Spirit dwelling in you.  But we have to allow this to be worked out within us in our daily lives, by walking with the Lord Jesus—even minute by minute, surrendering our will to His, and not turning to the right or left or backwards!

     What a call ahead for us!  The Promised Land is JESUS—in His fullness, in His Holy Spirit—His joy, rest, strength, power, might, and ALL!  Imagine—living forever in Him—in this life and the next.  Praise God—He chose us first, then we choose Him.  Praise be to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who was, is now, and is to come!  HALLELUJAH!!!

~ Nancy Faust