A HARD LESSON
Suggested Reading: Joshua 7
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion on the right-hand side).
The Ark of the Covenant was the only object in the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle. 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, 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 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” (verse 10). I’ve gone to Norma-Jean and family members regarding our personal matters 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. I back 100% of the decisions made by my successors (Lorna Dueck is now CEO) 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, Crossroads and Circle Square for children, to the daily 100 Huntley Street live show, back in 1977. Crossroads also was to begin producing and releasing telecasts in 18 languages other than English. In order to do this, we had to build our own professionally equipped studios. I recall vividly that having prayed much, I believed I heard God say, “David, you and others have prayed fervently, now 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, followed by action!!!
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.
Thank you Pastor David, it was a heavy lesson this morning. but it was very much needed. I am sure we all have things in our lives that need that fervent prayer. I have been praying most days for my unsaved loved ones, neighbours and friends. Your are a great incourager to me , to pray without ceasing.
Since I haven’t been able to attend Church this morning, I have listened to our Pastor speaking on last weeks message titled. “The Communion Service.” It was wonderful and gave food for thought. How well do we partake in Communion, is it just a ritual to some of us?
Hope your Lord’s Day is a Blessed one dear blog friends. Eleanor M.
Amen, Eleanor. God bless you, too, dear sister-in-Christ!
Thanks. Beverlee hope your flu is gone , I have very hard eye exercises to do for the next 2 weeks. One example:: Standing on a thick cushion with my eyes closed. I feel really unbalanced when I do this, but I am assured my brain will get used to it. I do all exercises twice a day and I am improving so that is worth it.
I appreciate the prayers. Eleanor M.
God give you the strength to do your exercises & TY for sharing! Those exercises are good for all of us! Keep sharing! Your eyes will become much better; put on some Christian Gospel songs; I find that they help me immensely! God bless dear child of the Most High God! You are an inspiration to others!
Many decades ago God took my broken leg and gave me swimming! What a blessing! He is blessing you also Eleanor, just keep doing what you are doing! There will be a big difference in a month!
Remember we are all paying for you and for total restoration to your health!
I couldn’t get to church today as the fog had zero visibility. Thankful for TV Christian programs. Today’s blog is a bit scary. I sure hope (and pray) that there is not something standing between me and God that would prevent answered prayer. “It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the Living God”. He is merciful, however, and forgives us when we are sincerely repentant.
May any shadow of fear be lifted off you, Doreen, and may you feel the blessings of your Heavenly God flow upon you. In Jesus’ precious Name.
Today’s readings led me to a new website. I very much enjoyed what I read and am including it in today’s post. Blessings to the Mainse family, and fellow saints.
From: AGLOW January 14 Hosea 2:14-15 The Door of Hope
“Therefore, behold, I will allure her, will bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfort to her. I will give her her vineyards from there, and the Valley of Achor as a door of hope; She shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, as in the day when she came up from the land of Egypt.” Hosea 2:14-15 NKJV
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1 NKJV
“Just as the Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness, He sometimes leads us into the wilderness to give us victory over temptation and trouble. Hosea says that the Lord will speak comfort to us in the waste places of our lives. He even promises to give us fruit from those dry, devastated places. In fact, the Valley of Achor will be a door of hope. The word “achor” in Hebrew means trouble or disturbance. God says in this passage that the very depths of our disturbance He will transform into a door (literally, an opening) of hope. He will give us a door of hope, an opening, in the situations which have hemmed us in, disturbed us, and kept us from moving forward. The word for “trouble” in Psalm 46:1 is a word that literally means “narrow place,” “tightness,” “adversity,” or “affliction.” Here, too, the Lord promises to be present with us. When we find ourselves in the Valley of Trouble of any kind, we need to remember that the Lord intends to give us a door of hope in the midst of that trouble and bring great fruit from our afflictions. He is ever-present with us in the midst of difficulties of all types. He is faithful and will give us our vineyards from that place of seeming restriction and barrenness. Ask Him to show you the door of hope that He has promised. He will reveal it to you.”
https://aglowhouston.com/2009/01/14/hosea-214-15-the-door-of-hope/
Amen. I needed this today.
TY Beverlee Kay: I pray the door of Hope for me will be the Holy Spirit opening up and releasing funds to come pouring down onto me to begin to clear up debts, help family/friends/missions/purchase newer 2nd vehicle/put rest in bank;
contact real estate friend and begin to plan to get place fixed up and sold! I pray the Lord will open up a Door whereby I can find a small quiet place to live uptown; reasonable rent; I pray Lord God to show me the door of hope;
I praise and thank God for caring about EVERY aspect of my life; for showing me He cares TY Lord in Jesus Name We pray amen, again, TY Beverlee Kay
Thank you Pastor David and fellow bloggers as that is very inspiring and encouraging today. Thank your for the link Beverlee. Great! Ger
Thanks Beverlee for sharing Hosea 2: 14-15, The Door of Hope.
It was the words of encouragement I needed to-day.
May we always remember to pray to God without ceasing first,
for our special needs.
Praying for God to bless everyone on this blog in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
I must share in praising the Lord!
Went swimming Thursday evening; gone 4 hours, did not lock the door! Came home, walked through the house, no one inside! Thank you Lord for keeping my home safe!
Went swimming last night; again, gone 4 hours! Ready to leave the pool, realized I only had one glove! Well, maybe left one in the car; the outside door of the pool opened and right there !!!!!!!! was my glove! people must have stepped on it; it was soaked, squeezed the water from it, thanked the Lord, brought it home and now it is dry! Thank You Lord for keeping my glove safe! No one threw it in the garbage! no one picked it up! Truly amazing! God knows every thought we have; He cares about every aspect of our lives!
God has done this many, many times in my life! I am still so awe struck at His Love and Care and Unconditional love! All praise and glory to our Lord God Almighty, amen
Yes, Pastor David…great song…”the walls came tumbling down” …walls we put up at times need to come tumbling down..as we battle self, or wall that have not yet been dealt with.
What a legacy you left for other to build on as they carry on in the Ministry of 100Huntly street. Your footsteps I believe are evident, are well marked for them to follow.
Thank you for your faithfulness in posting this blog at this time of your personal need!!!
What a lesson in disobedience is taught in today’s scripture…thank God, as far as I know, stoning is not practices these days. However, we are the ones who lose out when we do our own thing…rather than following God’s plans and purposes in our lives.
What a spectacular photo of the Ark…thank you Reynold.
Sadly, stoning is still in practice, Irene–in Iran, Pakistan and Somalia; it largely targets women.
The scripture for me this morning was Isaiah 45:22 “Look unto me and be Saved” …from the reading “The Utmost for His Higest” where Oswald Chambers’ says: Do we expect God to come to us with His blessings and save us? He say “Look to Me, and be saved” The great difficulty spiritually is to concentrate on God, and it is His blessings that Make it difficult. Troubles nearly always make us look to God: His blessings are apt to make us look elsewhere.”
This is just an excerpt from today’s writing, but it made me think of the song:
“Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things on earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His Glory and Grace!”
Glad to see you home and improving, David. God is good and so we thank Him for those and other blessings. Ps. 4:8.