VICTORY
Today’s Reading: Joshua 8
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).
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, speak of the offering of Jesus on the cross. He took the curse of sin upon Himself. When Israel entered the Promised Land, the supernatural provision of manna ceased. Now they had to eat the produce of the land which included corn, etc. Divine inspiration of Scripture means that in the original language, the record of events is correct. Earlier, so called “higher critics” disputed that accuracy, but later scholarship confirms that the Biblical account is correct. 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 the Biblical city of Ai. As we read the history of Israel, we can be confident that we are learning what actually happened. Click here for a documentary about the fall of Jericho featuring Dr. Bryant Wood.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, there is so much I don’t understand. I’m looking back more than three millennia 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 like I do, 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 writing of 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 history book, will provide justice for every man, woman, and child whose human life was destroyed, but whose eternal soul is in His 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).
Amen to David’s reflection of those who have suffered so dreadfully in life. Only God knows. We find peace that their eternal souls are in HIs hands, indeed. Wishing all saints a blessed day in the Lord. Stay safe and warm.
Deep calls to deep at the roar of your waterfalls;
all your breakers and your waves have gone over me.
Psalm 42:7 ESV
It is well with my soul (lyrics) Chris Rice
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFbp2FIMp5I
Good morning,Beverlee. Hope all is well with you.
The hymn it is well with my soul is one of my favourites.
Will listen to it later.
Best thing about being in Lockdown, I have more time to spend with my Lord.
Praying you all stay safe and warm. God is good , He will see us through these trying times. God bless you all today.
I had difficulty with the video. 3 times it stopped 12 minutes before the ending. I will try later today again. Very good info today. Psalm 42 (waves going over me) was a quotation on Day Star’s “Reflections” today. I love to watch Reflections with the beautiful scenery & scripture verses. Beautiful sunshine in Southern Ontario this morning. Blessings all.
As David wrote in today’s blog…..it gives me peace to know that God will provide justice for every man, woman, and child whose life was destroyed, but whose soul is in his hands.
I sometimes have trouble reconciling with the picture that will spring up in my imagination when I read the old testament ……Joshua impaled the king of Ai on a pole…..
Yet I realize that it is the fall into sin that causes this, and then I am even more grateful for the unmerited gift of our saviour Jesus Christ, who took my place!
Words seem inadequate to express my gratitude to God for the gift of the assurance that Jesus took my place!!
“To God be the glory, great things he has done”…as that beautiful old hymn says!
(PS…now if I were Beverlee I could post a link to that beautiful old hymn but I’m so untechnical…I’ve never tried…lol)
Just type the name of the song into the search bar, click enter
Copy and paste the link, Anne:
To God be the Glory great things he has done w/Lyrics
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqPoS5qZg2Y
Christ’s blessing on all bloggers .
Father God, thank You that all people are ultimately in Your hands. Justice belongs to You. In these passages, I see overconfidence in both the Israelites (who thought they could take Ai in their own strength) and in the people of Ai (who thought they could take Israel). Lord, please help us daily, hourly, to put our trust in You. Help us do the things You have called us to do. Be exalted and honoured throughout this world, and keep on raising up and sending out Godly leaders and followers. May Your will be done throughout the Earth, in Jesus’s great name, amen
Amen to your prayer, Rob and to Gers.
Also one of my favorite songs Beverlee. Yes Rob, the Bible is still true in spite of the situation in the world today that with God all things are possible. Lord Jesus keep us safe and help us to trust you and fulfill our purpose, Amen!
Amen to all the prayers above.