POSSESS THE LAND
Today’s Reading: Joshua 18
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).
At Timna Park, 20 miles (32 km) north of Eilat in the Arabah, a life-sized 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 read God’s Word with me each day. I have a question for you. Do you know anyone who started well on January 1st in a one year through-the-Bible reading program, but may have already missed some days, or has reverted to opening their Bible anywhere to read in a hit-and-miss fashion? Ask around amongst your friends. You may be surprised at the numbers to whom this happens. Let’s try to do this in a non-judgmental way. Now….I have a suggestion. Invite those who have struggled with the one year commitment to check out 100words.ca and see the difference it makes when the readings are shorter (more time for meditation and prayer) and when we move back and forth between the New and the Old Testaments over 730 days. The two-year program works! Crossroads has proven this in magazines and books since the 1970s and now in this daily blog. Readers could join us today and in 104 weeks complete God’s Book with joy, much fresh understanding, and growth in spiritual maturity!
Yours for God’s work in us to continue without neglect,
David
What a wonderful privilege it is for us to have this “through the Bible” blog! I don’t think I’ve missed a day since it began and yet, there is always more insight into God’s amazing, incredible, Word. I have wondered where the priests lived. Do you think they “lived” in the temple as they had no inheritance of land? Really cold in Ontario today. I suggest that we pray for families, especially those with infants. I believe it was on CBC news that doctors are seeing a dramatic rise in injuries to babies during this pandemic. Relatives, (grandparents, aunts, & friends,) aren’t able to help out as they normally would. People are more stressed these days. God help us. Amen
Amen. I am in my nineties, so needless to say I don’t recall when I started reading the blog, but it has been many years.
May God bless all bloggers!
With the blog from the beginning, as well, though I did not comment right away. I searched for an answer to your question about the priests living in the temple, Doreen, and came across some very interesting and informative information in High Priest of Israel: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Priest_of_Israel
Restrictions:
“He had one house attached to the Temple (Mid. 71b), and another in the city of Jerusalem. His honor required that he should spend most of his time in the Sanctuary (“Yad”, l.c. v. 7).”
Agreeing with your prayer for families and infants as I read the same article. Sadly there is much more abuse taking place due to confinement. We lift this up to You Lord God, for your protection around those babies, toddlers, children, mothers, and all family members in need. May they call on Your holy Name for strength and reassurance. We pray for a revival that families come together in prayer and unity to read the Bible. We pray for people who are in trouble to turn to You Lord God rather than react with violence. We pray for support systems to come into place soon for those in need. We thank You Lord for being with each and everyone of us and give You all the glory and praise. In Jesus mighty Name. Amen.
Thank you Beverlee. Very interesting. I will save that information. Thanks again!
Yes this is very sad, I am agreeing with you in prayer Beverlee.
Blessings to all, Eleanor M.
Dear Lord God, amen to David’s prayers. All people everywhere need Your grace to live. Help people everywhere to see Your Light through the darkness. Send out Your people, open the doors for Your Word, help Godly people to be the Ambassadors of Your Kingdom You made them to be. This is Your world, Lord God – You are the Maker, the Sustainer, the Redeemer, the Saviour, and we praise You for that. We pray that Your will is done on Earth as in Heaven, in Jesus’s great name, amen
Amen
Amen….. this is your world Lord!
May your will be done.
I’m thankful for this blog. I have followed it every year since David started it. Actually, I read the Bible through using the books that were published starting with the New Direction books. Thankful to you, Ron and Anne.
Yes I also appreciate this blog and have followed it from the beginning. Thanks to the Mainse family and all you bloggers. Yes I hear there are more violence, drinking, eating and suicides in this pandemic and agree with all your prayers for those affected. In Jesus Name, Amen!
Amen Ger.