Question:
Do you find it hard to believe before you know the miracle?
Unswerving devotion
Job13 : 15
15 Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face.
Job was certainly going through a hard place when he penned this verse. I am sure it wasn't some half-hearted statement made on his behalf. Job had been living through this difficult time. I know that it is only one tiny verse, but I really want you to contemplate this verse in light of the story. (It would help if you read some of Job to refresh your mind of the circumstances of which Job had found himself in) In our culture, we have become a "wanting" people. Unfortunately this goes for Christians as well as non-Christians. Our want lists are bigger than some children's "Santa lists." Somehow we have mixed up the Christian message and have made it into a "coke machine" mentality. Many people whom we share the gospel with, come to God expecting Him to "zap" them out of their current rough situation.....this I'm afraid is only a beginning. Then they go along wanting God to be a "genie" granting their every wish. This is not the gospel! God can and does do many great things for His people but He isn't necessarily interested in our" creature comforts" as much as He is concerned with the welfare of our souls. Because of that, many lessons can be learned at the hand of "difficult times." Job had suffered the loss of mostly everything that he held dear. Despite all the loss, he proclaimed...even if I loss my very own life, I will still praise Him!! I can't help but admire the character that shines out of Job's example. It humbles me, because I know the moaning and groaning that I do and I haven't endured the losses he experienced. I know I mentioned my friend, Pam before. She lost her husband this past year. When I look at her resolve to still praise the Lord despite the losses she has endured, I am at a loss for words to express what I feel. I see the depth of relationship she has with the Lord . It causes me to desire that strong of a walk with the Lord, that I, too, will always be able to say (and mean it of coarse) though He slay me yet will I praise Him.
On those days when I feel strong...I will praise Him.
On those days when I feel weak...I will praise Him.
On those days when I feel sick...I will praise Him.
On those days when I feel like giving up..I will praise Him.
On those days when I feel overwhelmed...I will praise Him.
On those days when I feel tempted...I will praise Him.
On those days when I feel strong... I will praise Him.
And the circle of days will go on and on....and I will praise Him!!! Let that be your resolve too!
Faith BEFORE you know the outcome!
Joshua 5:13-15 (KJV)
13 And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries?
14 And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant?
15 And the captain of the LORD'S host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.
Sometimes because we know the end of the story, it desensitizes us to the actual emotions of the story. I try to remind myself that these characters that we revere and honor were just ordinary people with very much the same makeup that we have. Times and customs may change, but the essence of the human heart is the same!
Joshua was going through a tough time. He was the leader of all the Israelites. If you have had any leadership experiences you know how difficult it can be to lead a group of 15-20 people, must less millions of people.
The Israelites were on a journey that was to foster their obedience and faith in God. This wasn't always easy. (Remember, when we read the accounts we usually are quick to judge their failings or lack of faith...because we know the outcome of the story. But how many times do we fail at the same points in our own lives, due to a lack of faith on our part?)
Beginning with Joshua chapter one, we see the pilgrimage of the Israelites. It seems that when they were "comfortable" in their setting, God would say time to move on. Then when they were anxious to move on, God would say time to stay. After experiencing victory, they were ready to conquer the world, and yet God said time for circumcision. This all sounds a bit frustrating, doesn't it?
Not only the people were experiencing varied emotions, I'm sure Joshua was struggling in his own heart at times.
Take some time to read through those few chapters in Joshua...read it like it's the first time you've read it. Try to understand how Joshua was feeling and what he was up against. This will prepare you for the impact of the principles that are mentioned in our text today.
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