RUN FOR YOUR LIFE

Suggested Reading: Joshua 19-20

(click scripture link to read online)

These are the ancient walls of the main city of the tribe of Dan (Joshua 19:40-48), located in northern Israel near the base of Mount Hermon and the source of the Jordan River. When Lot had been taken captive, Abraham and 318 of his servants pursued him as far as the city of Dan (Gen. 14:14). The Canaanite city of Laish had existed on this site over 5,000 years ago. Joshua had led his troops through this area and sometime after Israel captured this city, the name was changed to Dan. It became the northernmost city in the nation of Israel.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

Key Verses: Joshua 19:49 & 20:4

When they had made an end of dividing the land as an inheritance according to their borders, the children of Israel gave an inheritance among them to Joshua the son of Nun…When he flees to one of those cities…and declares his case…they shall take him into the city as one of them, and give him a place…

Two facts stand out to me from our reading. First, Joshua put others first and did not ask anything for himself. The general agreement of the people resulted in Joshua’s inheritance. Our Joshua, Yeshua (Jesus), has put us first. We could ask ourselves the question, What is His portion? Imagine the joy Joshua felt when the people came together after the distribution of land was settled, and the people honoured him. We read of our Yeshua, “Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2). He put us first. How can we do less than put Him first?

Second, when the avenger was chasing the one who accidentally had killed someone, the one being chased could flee to a safe city. When the accuser (Satan) or anyone else is out to deliberately do us harm, we flee into the refuge of the strong arms of Jesus and we are safe. Read Hebrews 6:17-20 and flee for refuge.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord Jesus, You’ve provided for my life now and, in the age to come, eternal life. You put me first before Your own rights as God’s Son. I can do no less than determine to put You first at all times and places. You’ve also given Yourself to me as a refuge into which I run in times of trouble. I ask for grace to give myself to You 24/7, holding nothing back. Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

Back in 1992, when we were about to open our new state-of-the-art, 143,000 square foot television production centre, a reporter interviewed me and wrote in his prominent magazine approximately the following: “David Mainse is hanging on to his sanity by his fingernails.” The costs had gone far above original estimates, and then there were commitments to our pavilion at World Expo ’92 in Spain for a Christian pavilion which was already opened, operating, and was bringing thousands to Christ. We were in big trouble. Many, many prayed for me, but I want to single out two that come to mind just now. Dave Toycen, President of World Vision Canada, came to see me and prayed personally and fervently for me. Brian Stiller, at that time President of the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada, also came to my aid. They helped me flee into the refuge of God’s love and grace. Brian declared with certainty, “The people of Canada won’t let you down!” He then offered to travel with me across Canada to meet hundreds of Pastors in various cities. Many Pastors, as a result, voiced their conviction that Crossroads/100 Huntley Street was essential to our country. Offerings flowed in. The crisis was resolved. Needs were met. God and His people are my City of Refuge. Thank You to all who opened the gates of the City of Refuge for me and cared for me and Crossroads at a time of crisis.

Yours for opening the gates of our hearts to those who are running our way for refuge,

David

POSSESS THE LAND

Suggested Reading: Joshua 18

(click scripture link to read online)

At Timna Park, 20 miles (32 km) north of Eilat in the Arabah, a life-size replica of the biblical Tabernacle has been constructed. While no original materials (e.g., gold, silver, bronze) have been used, the model is accurate in every other way based upon the biblical description.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

Key Verses – Joshua 18:1, 3

The whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled together at Shiloh, and set up the tabernacle of meeting there…Then Joshua said to the children of Israel: “How long will you neglect to go and possess the land which the Lord God of your fathers has given you?”

Just imagine the excitement in the air as all the tribes came together. Think about thousands of animated conversations. Perhaps some said, “If only our parents were here to see this, but they refused to believe that this could happen. They refused to follow the leadership of Moses, Joshua and Caleb. We could’ve been born here in the Promised Land, instead of in the wilderness. Instead of just getting our borders settled, we would’ve been well established for 45 years already. Here we are, gathered around the Tabernacle as we did when we were children on the other side of the Jordan. But listen, Joshua is going to bring us a message from God. It sounds the same as we remember Moses saying to us before we crossed the Jordan. What’s wrong with us? Can we not learn to obey God fully?”

We may want to read, Hebrews 2:1-4 where the word “neglect” shows up again relating to our salvation. Also, “let us not neglect” is found in Hebrews 10:23-25. To neglect the ministry which happens when we assemble together is to court spiritual decline and to miss the essential message God wants us to hear from those He has called into leadership.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, God of our fathers, I believe that I need to possess all that You have given me. Grant me the grace, the determination to go forward, not stopping short of all You have for me. Give me a greater fervency of spirit, because I know that You respond directly in proportion to the level of my fervency. In Jesus’ strong Name I pray. Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

Thank You to all who have prayed for me. I’m experiencing a great lift spiritually and physically. There were even two messages from right here in Arizona where I am now. I’m always surprised where this blog is going.

I’ve had the honour to meet professionals in the cancer research field who are exceptionally gifted by God, who are believers in Jesus, and who are filled with the Spirit of God. In Paul’s letter to young Timothy, he writes of “stirring up the gift that is in you”; to accomplish this he mentions “the laying on of hands” (2 Tim. 1:6). I’m going to ask for this to happen to me at my first opportunity. There are gifts in me and in all God’s people which need to be stirred up and put to use for God’s purposes in the lives of precious people. I want to know what happens if you do the same. Send me a note. Thanks!

Yours for God’s work in us to continue without neglect,

David

P.S. Here’s Ron from Crossroads360.com with some thoughts on what can happen as we take a page out of Israel’s book and assemble ourselves together (click here).

Yesterday, while in Arizona for my tests and doctors' consultations, I visited the rose red rocks of Sedona. They are similar to the rocks in Petra, or Mount Seir, mentioned in our Joshua readings as the land of Edom, which was the possession of Esau, the brother of Jacob. I expect to receive some Petra photos from Reynold, who was just there. I will share them with you soon.

More of the rose red rocks of Sedona, Arizona.

SETTLERS

Suggested Reading: Joshua 16-17

(click scripture link to read online)

Just east of Jericho, beside the Jordan River, is a church that commemorates the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist. This is also the area where the Children of Israel crossed into the Promised Land.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

Key Verse: Joshua 17:13

And it happened, when the children of Israel grew strong, that they put the Canaanites to forced labor, but did not utterly drive them out.

In the worship of their gods, the Canaanites followed evil practices such as killing their children and offering them as sacrifices. In their temples, as an act of worship, they committed fornication, adultery, pedophilia, and perverted sexual acts. God knew, as history will prove to us over our readings of the next seven books, that such corruption would soon influence His people. The “forced labour” would soon become “spiritual and moral saboteurs!”

We may want to ask ourselves, “How are we being influenced by the culture in which we live?” Do we tolerate more easily fornication, adultery, and homosexual practices? Does pedophilia produce a revulsion as it once did? Are we as horrified as we once were at the slaughter of the innocent little lives in abortion? Aren’t these lives that should have the protection of the state? Is there a general decline in personal and public moral standards? If we answer “Yes,” then we are following the path of Israel. The story of the decline (over and over) of Israel should be a dire warning to us in the 21st century.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, I repent for willingly tolerating moral rot in my generation. You are the Judge in the final analysis, and I must “hold the truth in love.” However, I pray that I will, by Your grace, hold Your standard for human behaviour high, loving people unconditionally, and hating the sin that Your Word declares will ultimately destroy the people You and I love! I weep as I pray for my seven great-grandchildren in the face of the destruction of the values which sustained my parents in wars, financial collapse, and in family life. God, please help us to be loving and strong in our convictions on right and wrong. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

In some of the recent pictures my son Reynold has taken for us, they show layer upon layer of City Centres which have been built and destroyed over and over. In our next book to read, we’ll find that Israel was destroyed by surrounding armies and then rebuilt seven times. Of course the rebuilding did not occur until they had repented of taking on the sinful practices of the people around them. I want to learn from history. It may have been the historian Will Durant who said, “The one thing we learn from history is that we don’t learn from history.” I believe that in my own life I can prove that statement wrong. When I took a strong stand in support of the word “marriage” to be for man/woman unions only, the Lord clearly said to me, “David don’t speak out on this issue unless you have the same attitude Abraham had toward Sodom.” Abraham prayed fervently for their protection. He risked his life for them in war. He introduced them to the King of Righteousness, Melchizedek, a man who represented God (Genesis 14). I cried out to God for Abraham’s attitude, and I believe I received this grace. It was a losing cause, but the struggle for God’s standards will not end until God says, “The End.”

Yours for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven,

David

SPRINGS OF LIVING WATER

Suggested Reading: Joshua 15

(click scripture link to read online)

Here is Reynold examining the Bell Cave at Beit Guvrin with its beige-coloured limestone walls. There are about 800 bell-shaped caves located in the area. Many of these caves are linked via an underground network of passageways that connect groups of 40-50 caves. The town of Beit Guvrin replaced the city of Maresha, one of the Judean cities mentioned in the Bible as a city fortified by Rehoboam (Joshua 15:44 and 2 Chronicles 11:5-8).

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

Key Verse: Joshua 15:19

She answered, “Give me a blessing; since you have given me land in the South, give me also springs of water.” So he gave her the upper springs and the lower springs.

Joshua 15:16-19 is repeated in Judges 1:12-15. This is evidence of good history. Othniel and Achsah, husband and wife, were first cousins. This arrangement is not uncommon in modern times amongst the indigenous people of the middle east. What was uncommon in ancient times as it is today, is that a woman would own property. Men of God, such as Caleb, have always recognized women’s rights. In Jesus’ time, women were not allowed to be witnesses in court. Yet, the first witness to the resurrection of Jesus was Mary Magdalene, God’s choice as a witness in the court of human history.

There is an archaeological excavation 13 km southwest of Hebron. There they found two spring-fed chambers, upper and lower, each chamber tapped by a well. The experts believe this is Debir, mentioned in our reading. This is desert land and Achsah needed the blessing of these springs. God has promised to supply our needs. Ask! (Philippians 4:19). Jesus cried out, “If any man thirst, let him come unto Me and drink” (John 7:37-39).

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, I’m asking You for a blessing. Caleb was an example of Your generous heart. I praise You for Your gift of the wells of Salvation. Please give me grace to drink deeply of the Springs You provide. In Jesus’ Name, Amen! (for worship today, we may want to read several times Isaiah 12).

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

Today’s reading and our key verse cause me to think of the woman at the well. Jesus gave her “living water” (full story in John 4:1-42). Also, today I’m in Arizona, USA, for examination and treatment at the Mayo Clinic Cancer Research Center. I have appointments at 9:30 a.m. with an M.D. and at 2:30 p.m. with a research scientist. Arizona, in many areas, resembles the desert area of the Negev, where Achsah received the springs of water. I’m expecting the blessing of Isaiah 55 (entire chapter click here). I want the blessing of God’s thoughts. How can this be? Want to get wet? Isaiah says to go out in the rain. He’s giving a picture of soaking in God’s thoughts, which are expressed in God’s Words. Because I’m soaking every day in God’s Words as I do this blog, I’m confident that I’m thinking God’s thoughts after Him. The result is that God’s purposes are being accomplished and as Isaiah 55:12 tells me, I “shall go out with joy, and be led out with peace; the mountains and the hills shall break forth into singing.” This is a great blessing!

Yours for being greatly blessed,

David

Another view inside the Bell Cave at Beit Guvrin.

YOUNG AT HEART

Suggested Reading: Joshua 13-14

(click scripture link to read online)

Mt. Nebo is a 1,000 m (3,300 ft) high mountain located 10 km/6 mi NW of Madaba in Jordan, opposite the northern end of the Dead Sea. According to Scripture, this is the mountain from which Moses saw the Promised Land before he died (see Deut. 34:1-6).

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

Key Verse: Joshua 13:1

Now Joshua was old, advanced in years. And the Lord said to him: “You are old, advanced in years, and there remains very much land yet to be possessed…”

We know from our reading that Joshua’s spy partner, Caleb, was now 85. Joshua may have been older, perhaps 90. While in their 40’s, they had brought back a good report to Moses about Israel’s ability to move right away into the Promised Land.The great majority of the people did not believe them, and so they languished in the wilderness for almost 40 years more. But now, here they are setting boundaries for the land possessed by each tribe. It’s been said by farmers for centuries, “A good fence makes good neighbours.”

Caleb, at 85, speaks a classic line to his leader, Joshua: “Give me this mountain” (14:12). He is still not afraid to move forward in confidence. He still has a positive outlook on life, its challenges and opportunities. How could this be at his age? The answer is in these words (14:14b): “He wholly followed the Lord God of Israel.” The ancestors of Goliath were on that mountain. Taking over this land was no easy task. As Winston Churchill, already an old man when he took on Hitler said, “Never, never, never give up!”

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, when I read the story of Caleb or think of Britain’s WW2 leader, Churchill, I feel empowered to go forward. I ask for your healing and sustaining presence for every minute. I need You Lord. Dear Jesus, You took on Mt. Calvary, and won the greatest victory by far through Your Cross. You finished the work You were called to do. I purpose in my heart to never give up. I expect You to be with me as You promised. In Your Name, Jesus, I pray, Amen! (click here for Matt. 28:16-20).

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

Joshua agreed to Caleb’s vision for the future. I believe that my Joshua, “Yeshua” in Hebrew, and “Jesus” in Greek, has responded to my desire to stay busy for Him, for my family, for the good of my precious brothers and sisters, for the whole family of God, and for those who don’t know Him yet as Saviour and Lord. This is why, since my official retirement, I’ve produced and hosted two TV series, which continue to be released on air on CTS in Canada. The first was Really Good Medicine and the second, A Living Witness to Amazing Grace. Today I fly to the Mayo cancer research center in Phoenix, Arizona. I have no intention of giving in to self pity, a defeatist attitude, or any kind of depression. With Jesus living within, how could it be otherwise? And then, my wife Norma-Jean absolutely refuses to tolerate any negative talk. Thanks to many readers who’ve promised prayer on my behalf. I’ve just searched for encouragement in www.crossroads360.com and came up with my son Ron and his “Encouragement for Seniors” video (click here). I found this under the heading “Courage.”

Yours for moving forward boldly in this life and then on into eternity with confidence in Christ!

David

The western view from the top of Mt. Nebo toward the Promise Land. Moses' final view before he died. Joshua led Israel from this point into the Promise Land.

ARCHAEOLOGY, FRIEND OF THE BIBLE

Suggested Reading: Joshua 11-12

(click scripture link to read online)

Tel Hazor is located on the site of the ancient city of Hazor (mentioned several times in today's reading). Hazor was located in the Upper Galilee, north of the Sea of Galilee, between Ramah and Kadesh, on the high ground overlooking Lake Merom (Joshua 11:5). It is the largest archaeological site in northern Israel, featuring an upper tell of 30 acres and a lower city of more than 175 acres. This photo is of the Solomonic Gate, dated to the 10th century BC. This gate has six chambers and two towers (1 Kings 9:15).

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

Key Verse: Joshua 11:15

As the Lord had commanded Moses his servant, so Moses commanded Joshua, and so Joshua did. He left nothing undone of all that the Lord had commanded Moses.

There are at least two ways to approach our readings. First, for inspiration, and second, for information. You’ve read under David Reynold’s picture some information about the city state, Hazor. According to 11:10b, Hazor was the “head of all those kingdoms.” Verse 13 mentions “their mounds,” or in modern times, they would call the mounds “tels.” The central public buildings were destroyed, or simply fell down with age, and the people would build on top of the rubble. This would result in a hill made up of the ruins of several cities. The people lived around the centre and their poorer houses are seldom found by the spade of the archaeologists, who have excavated Hazor and dated the main destruction by Israel in the late 15th century BC. Evidence of fire was found in several places.

So far, the blog is not too inspirational, but perhaps our key verse can inspire us to complete, no matter how long or how much effort it takes, the commitments we’ve made. The word “discipline” is from the same root word as “disciple,” “talmudim” in Hebrew. It means “student.” The Apostle Paul, a lifetime student and teacher, wrote to the young Timothy, encouraging him to “study” or “be diligent.” We might read for inspiration, 2 Timothy 2:1-15.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, I am confident that these stories of war are accurate as told. I’m thankful that the archaeological digs confirm that, for if the history is true, it follows that the inspirational messages are worthy of our respect also. Please grant that I will have grace to be and do as Paul wrote: “Strong – faithful – enduring hardship – hard working – diligent – a worker – and unashamed.” In Jesus’ Name, (the One who modeled all these qualities) Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

There I go again, well over 100 words. If I had called the blog, “200 words” I’d probably go over that. Oh well, I’ll just be diligent. I’ve participated in archaeological digs in Israel, not with a back hoe or even a shovel, but with a spoon, trowel and brush. I would not have the patience to do that as a profession!

I ask for your prayers as I travel for tests to the cancer treatment centre of the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix, Arizona. A wonderful caring couple, whom I love very much, has initiated this and insist on paying the costs. We are very grateful. I’ll report to you on the results. The time zone there is three hours different from here. If my body clock is to remain the same, I’d have to rise at 1 a.m. to read, pray, and type the blog. So I’ll do the blog the morning or evening one day ahead and revert to the regular time when I get back to eastern standard time. If you are moved to pray for me, I would be deeply grateful.

Yours for learning to be workers for God who do not need to be ashamed (2 Timothy 2:15),

David

Among the ancient ruins of Tel Hazor, you can see an olive press with a stone basin in the foreground.

SAVE AND HELP

Suggested Reading: Joshua 10

(click scripture link to read online)

The Yad Lashiryon Memorial at Latrun is the Armored Corps' Memorial Site. The memorial is surrounded by tanks used and captured in Israeli wars. The centrepiece of the Armored Corps is the Wall of Names (pictured below) on which are inscribed the names of all 4,965 fallen soldiers of the Armored Corps from all of Israel's recent wars. This location is also the site of the Biblical battles of Joshua against the Amorite kings; in the book of Joshua it says: "Sun, stand still upon Gibeon; and moon, in the valley of Aijalon" (Joshua 10:12). This retired Merkava Mk-1 tank was the first Israeli-made tank, designed in the late 1960's - early 1970's. In this photo you can see a number of young Israeli soldiers hearing about the stories and seeing the weapons of past wars.

Key Verse: Joshua 10:6

And the men of Gibeon sent to Joshua at the camp at Gilgal, saying, “Do not forsake your servants; come up to us quickly, save us and help us, for all the kings of the Amorites who dwell in the mountains have gathered together against us.”

According to the treaty, Israel comes to the defense of Gibeon. We call upon our Joshua (Yeshua – Jesus). We pray, “Save us and help us,” and He responds according to the pact He has made. It is called “The New Covenant.” A covenant is the most solemn and binding agreement. We may want to read Hebrews 8:10-12.

There are several items of interest in this chapter. “Adoni-Zedek,” King of Jerusalem continues the Zedek name. It means righteousness. Melchi-Zedek was the King of Salem (Jerusalem) to whom Abraham paid tithes. “Adoni” means “Lord” and “Melchi” means “King.” Jerusalem was not conquered by Israel until King David’s time. 450 years earlier, Jerusalem had a man of God as its King (Genesis 14:17-20).

In verses 12 to 14 (the book of Jasher has been lost), we’re told that the sun stood still. It may have been that God caused the earth to stop its rotation. Scripture is accurate in recording the actual perception of the people to this phenomenon. We may want to ask the Lord or one of His angels about this when we get to Heaven.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Dear Lord God, thank You for the New Covenant through which You “save us and help us” in our states of sinfulness, weakness, illness or distress. Please, Jesus, save and help us and our loved ones who are desperate for Your intervention today. We cry unto You! Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

Our Pastor in Florida, Wayne Blackburn, has asked us to pray for him this Saturday as he conducts a funeral for a father and three of his children killed in a car accident. Please join me in praying for the wife and mother left behind who must be experiencing unimaginable grief right now. I’ve been crying out to God on her behalf, “Lord save and help!” I’m sending an e-mail to Pastor Blackburn with the response of my sister-in-law, Evelyn Rutledge, whose first husband, Rev. Harold Williamson, and her 2 children were killed in a car accident many years ago. Evelyn told me the following: “The prayers of God’s people sustained me. I was walking around in shock, but amazingly, I felt lifted up! As their prayers subsided over several weeks, I felt myself gently coming back to reality. I knew that people were ceasing their prayers for me. I could not have made it without the prayers of God’s people.”

I was a guest of Prime Minister Menachem Begin in his home in Jerusalem. I did not raise this with him, but I thought of the hanging of the five kings by Joshua as I also remembered that Begin’s Irgun, an underground Jewish army prior to 1948, had hanged five British soldiers on trees outside the King David Hotel in Jerusalem. I met the British officer whose job it was to cut the bodies down. Human free will decides to commit such acts. I’ve given up trying to comprehend such horrible deeds. All I know is that just one hill over from the King David Hotel, Jesus, who could’ve called 10,000 angels to destroy the world, willingly endured death by hanging on the Cross. Jesus changed my heart, and if enough people will let Him do that, the world will be changed. Peace and love will reign supreme.

Yours because of Jesus, our Lord and Saviour,

David

P.S. I was blessed this morning by searching Google for the lyrics to the song, “He Could’ve Called 10,000 Angels.” Here’s what I found…click here. May you be blessed too. Be sure to scroll down to read the testimony of Ray Overholt, the composer of this great song.

At The Yad Lashiryon Memorial, the new soldiers read names of those who died for their country.

GOD’S BOOKS

Suggested Reading: Joshua 9

(click scripture link to read online)

Jacob's Well lies in the crypt of a modern Greek Orthodox church at Nablus in the West Bank. It is located at the entrance to a mountain pass between Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal (referred to in Joshua 8). It is often considered the most authentic site in the Holy Land, since no one can move a well that was originally dug more than 40 metres deep into solid rock. Jacob's well is where Jesus asked a Samaritan woman for a drink and offered her "living water" (John 4:5-42).

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

Key Verse: Joshua 9:14

Then the men of Israel took some of their provisions; but they did not ask counsel of the Lord.

The leadership of Israel once again, as in the case of the first attack on Ai, did not wait in prayer before God for His guidance. They were in the Promised Land. Everything seemed to be going their way. There was no more manna to eat. They had grown or confiscated a wide variety of food themselves. While they never spoke the words, “We don’t need You anymore,” their decision about the Gibeonites showed an underlying attitude that resulted in Israel being deceived. Their decision, without consulting the Lord, resulted in heartache for the people of God in the years to come.

We may want to read about those who did consult God before taking action (Hebrews 11:30-40). This list of God’s heroes starts in the book of Joshua. God’s list is becoming longer and longer with the names of those who do His will. Amen!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord Jesus, when I stand before You at the judgement of believers, may I, by Your grace, find my name written in the Book of Life. As you spoke the name, “Mary” (John 20:11-16) just after rising from the dead, in the same way I’m anticipating the ultimate joy of hearing You say my name. Like those in Hebrews 11:39, grant that I may, “obtain a good testimony through faith.” Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

David Reynold, my eldest son, has just sent, by Internet, these pictures. He is continuing on into The Kingdom of Jordan where he’ll photograph many more places that will appear, God willing, with our readings in Judges and other historical books. My younger son, Ronald Wesley, has uploaded these photos and placed them here for us. Thank you, my sons, for helping your dad.

I wonder if Jesus will have a new name for me. God changed Jacob’s name to Israel. Jesus changed Simon’s name to Peter. The Prophet Daniel writes of names written in God’s Book, as does the Apostle John in the Revelation (Daniel 12 & Revelation 21). I love the promise of God written in Malachi 3:16-18. A Book of Remembrance is being written “For those who fear the Lord, and who meditate on HIS NAME!” That is what I’m praying many more will do because of this blog. I hope that this message will be forwarded to others, and as a result many more personal stories will be in God’s “Book of Remembrance.” YES!!!!! All we must do to qualify for this Book is to fear the Lord, speak to one another, and the Prophet says, “The Lord listened and heard them; so [as a direct result there is] a book of remembrance was written…” I think God’s writes, not on paper, but perhaps in cyberspace! I love to hear from those who read this blog.

Grateful with you that, by God’s grace, our names are in His book,

David

P.S. This picture below was just sent through cyberspace a few hours ago…

Underneath the Greek Orthodox church pictured above, visitors draw water from Jacob's Well. Jewish, Christian and Muslim traditions all associate this well with Jacob.

VICTORY

Suggested Reading: Joshua 8

(click scripture link to read online)

View looking west at Mt. Gerizim (on the left, south) and Mt. Ebal (on the right, north). In the center between them is the town of Shechem, known as Nablus. According to Deuteronomy 11:29 the recently arrived Israelites were to recite the blessings of the Covenant on Mount Gerizim and the curses from Mount Ebal (fulfilled in Joshua 8:33).

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

Key Verse: Joshua 8:30

Now Joshua built an altar to the Lord God of Israel in Mount Ebal…

In building an altar, Joshua is obeying the instructions given in Deuteronomy 11:29 and 27:4-8. The offerings presented on Mt Ebal, the mount of cursing, provided a message that the curse of sin, which came upon mankind as a result of sin, would be pictured as lifted, and peace would result. When Israel entered the Promised Land, the supernatural provision of manna ceased. It seems that God backed off. Now they had to eat the produce of the land which included corn, etc. They also took on the responsibility to make decisions for war and peace. Divine inspiration of Scripture means that in the original language, the record of events is correct. Early archaeologists disputed that accuracy, but later scholarship confirms that the Biblical account is right. Dr. Bryant Wood (PhD, University of Toronto), who has been a guest of mine on the 100 Huntley Street telecast, conducted excavations beginning in 1995 which meet all the requirements for Biblical Ai. As we read the history of Israel, we can be confident that we are learning what actually happened. Click here for a video clip of the last time Dr. Bryant was a guest on 100 Huntley Street in 1993.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, there is so much I don’t understand. I’m looking back 3500 years in today’s reading. But what I do understand is that I must visit daily my personal altar, and also my family altar. Please help me, by Your grace, to be faithful in this commitment. In the Name of the One who is always faithful, the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

If you have a response to the horrors of war such as I experience, you struggle with understanding God’s role in human history. In my lifetime I’ve seen genocide in Europe. I’ve visited the death camps where men, women and children perished. Rwanda in Africa and Cambodia in Asia experienced unspeakable man-made destruction of human life. I could go on and on with such events throughout the entirety of human history. Nevertheless, I am confident that God looks at history through the lens of eternity, and God, who will put the final period to the last human history book, will provide justice for every man, woman, and child whose human life was destroyed, but whose eternal soul is in God’s hands. This knowledge gives me peace.

Yours for a daily altar of blessing, and for the peace that passes understanding,

David

P.S. The composer of the song, “It is well with my soul,” suffered great personal loss. This song was his response (click here).

A HARD LESSON

Suggested Reading: Joshua 7

(click scripture link to read online)

The Ark of the Covenant was the only object in the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle. The sacred Ark contained the two tablets with the Ten Commandments, the rod of Aaron that blossomed, and the pot of manna. The ark was covered by the "Mercy Seat" on which the high priest sprinkled the blood of the sacrificial goat seven times on the annual Day of Atonement. This photo was taken at the Tabernacle replica at Timna Park in Israel.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

Key Verse: Joshua 7:6

Then Joshua tore his clothes, and fell to the earth on his face before the ark of the Lord until evening, he and the elders of Israel; and they put dust on their heads.

Joshua, leader, Chief Executive Officer, was also a priest of the tribe of Levi. His advisers, in Church terms, elders, deacons, board members, whom he had appointed, gave him their opinions about conquering the city of Ai. Here’s one of those “if only” hindsight moments. If only Joshua and the elders, before their action, had prayed with the same fervency before their defeat as they did after, God would’ve given them their instructions, and they would’ve succeeded.

Yes, there are little matters where we can make decisions without the deep intercession required when lives and souls are at stake. The consequences of failure are not that great. But if we want God’s guidance in major decisions, we had better wait until we’ve heard from God. In a very real sense, we lie on our faces before the “Mercy Seat,” where God is seated in mercy in Heaven, God’s “Throne of Grace” (read Hebrews 4:14-16).

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, please teach Your leaders in Your cause, in the church, in government, in business, to wait before You. Having prayed with the utmost sincerity, may Your appointed leaders move forward boldly. Romans 13:1-4 is important information. Help me to lead, support, or at the very least, step aside and encourage others to move forward. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I’ve faced decisions where I cried out to God…where I spent considerable time in prayer before God’s “Mercy Seat.” I believe I heard Him say, “Get up…it’s time for action” (vs 10). I’ve gone to Norma-Jean and family members regarding our personal affairs and found their support was solid. I’ve gone to deacon boards and ministry boards of directors, and I’ve been amazed to receive their support for my leadership. At present, I don’t hold any position of designated authority in corporations charged with God’s work. However, as our Crossroads CEO, Don Simmonds, says, I still have influence. I back 100% of the decisions made by my successors in leadership. I pray for them by name and position every day with fervency.

I remember so well the occasion of the decision to move from a rather sleepy, small ministry, producing two half hours per week of TV, to the daily 100 Huntley Street live show, back in 1977. We had to build our own professionally equipped studio and move from Hamilton to Toronto. I recall vividly that having prayed much, I believed I heard God say, “David, stop praying. You make the decision.” I said, “No Lord, please, please give me more detailed instructions.” The board, of which I was chairman, voted unanimously, “yes.” Most of all, looking back, I know that God supported our decision, and many thousands of new believers were added to the Church of Jesus Christ. The work continues. Check out www.crossroads.ca.

Yours for much fervent, and sometimes desperate, prayer,

David

P.S. Today’s blog is rather heavy. Here’s a lift for the human spirit. Click here for the old spiritual, “Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho.” Mahalia Jackson is introduced by Nat King Cole. It was recorded back in the 1950’s.