HORNETS, A STONE, AND BONES
Today’s Reading: Joshua 24
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).
Ad Deir (Arabic for “The Monastery”) is a monumental building carved out of rock in the ancient city of Petra. Built by the Nabataeans in the 1st century, it measures 50 metres wide by approximately 45 metres high.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Joshua 24:15
And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve….But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
Three points we might consider – First, human free will. There’s an old spiritual song taken from verse 12 – “God did not force them to go ‘gainst their will.’ He just made them willing to go.” The hornets caused them of their own free will to change their minds.
Second, the choice, again by free will, to serve the Lord. Surely the threat of judgment should’ve been as effective as the hornets. Joshua led by example in choosing to serve the Lord.
Third, the visual message of the stone of witness and the bones of Joseph which were brought from Egypt (Genesis 50:24-26). We may decide to have our own visual aids for our children and grandchildren. Our witness could be our personal testimony of faith written by the lawyer in the document known as our Last Will and Testament. It may be a beautiful wall hanging which they will treasure. There is great potential in using our imaginations here.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
[Personalize this prayer for your own family, as I have]
Lord God, grant that I may be very deliberate in planning my spiritual legacy for my 4 children, my 16 grandchildren and my 13 great-grandchildren. I ask for a gift of creativity so that I will communicate effectively for time and eternity. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I was just 12 when my mother died of cancer. She was only 50 years old. I have powerful memories of her. She cared for me and my two sisters, Willa Hodgins and Elaine Boudinot, while my Dad was away during the Second World War. She was loving and strict, a good combination. The last time I heard her speak out at a prayer meeting she quoted Joshua saying, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” That statement was true for our family. When she was about to take her last breath, I thought I heard her say my name. I went to her bedside, kissed her and said, “Mother, I’ll meet you in Heaven.” My Dad claimed I added the words, “I will, I will!” Perhaps it was my imagination but I thought I saw a smile beginning on her lips as she gave a last sigh and was gone to be in the immediate Presence of Jesus in Heaven. I have an unmovable stone of witness from my mother. In case you read my blog up there, Mother, I’ll see you soon!
Yours for an unmistakable witness to our faith,
David
Reynold inside the Ad Deir “Monastery” in Petra.
The spectacular rock patterns in Petra are a feast for the eyes.
David’s prayer certainly came to fruition. Amazing photos from Petra; thank you Reynold. In Joshua, an obedient people conquered the land through trust in the power of God. We can apply that to the world circumstance, today, by delving into God’s Word, daily, and praying for God’s mercy, forgiveness and grace to be upon us. Let us live through the power of His amazing love for us. It is so great we cannot wrap our heads around it but our hearts are lifted up by the depth of God’s peace. Wishing all saints a blessed day in the Lord.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV
Song of Solomon (Official Lyric Video) – Martin Smith
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyIR4N5EFt8&list=RDMM&index=5
My dad would have been 94, today. Wishing you a happy birthday in heaven!
Dear Lord, thank You for Your Word, Your creation, Your servants like David, Joshua, Ron, Anne, Reynold and Kathy; for Life, forgiveness, salvation, Your great sacrifice for us, Your sustaining power… Thank You, Lord, for never giving up on us. Please help us to trust in You and be faithful to You. Help us do and say things that exalt You, in Jesus’s name, amen
Amen, Rob! We exalt You, Lord!
Amen
Bless you Beverlee as your thoughts are with your father on his birthday today in heaven.
I pray for all of our unsaved loved ones, that they would bend their knees and ask the Lord Jesus into their hearts.
I also pray for those who are suffering with pain or perhaps losing a loved one. Dear Lord comfort them and cover them with wings like eagles. Help people to rise up and proclaim . “As for me and my household we will serve the Lord” In Jesus name Amen.
Eleanor M.
Amen to your beautiful prayer, Eleanor. God bless you!
Thank you Beverlee.
Amen
A beautiful day here in S Ontario. Thank You Lord. Norma-Jean sent this on FB – very interesting and inspiring. Search for http://www.JAshow.org and click on “the rapture”. There are 3 other very qualified speakers with Rev John – very informative. Blessings all.
Thank you so much for posting tha tlink from Norma-Jean, Doreen. It looks very interesting and I am going to read some of the articles and watch the links.
Thanks for the links, they are very uplifting.
Thinking of you Beverlee as you remember your Dad on this special day.
Blessings and Mercy to all those in need, and remembering Luisa and her husband.
May the healing hand of our Father be with everyone, whatever their individual needs may be. God knows.
“As for me and my household we will serve the Lord”
Amen
Amen for Luisa and her husband.✟
God bless you Beverlee as you remember your Dad on this day. Have watched this program that Norma Jean mentioned the last two weeks. My next door neighbor snowblew me out this morning for which I am grateful but I have a lot to rake off the shed roof and then scoop it away but God helped me through it. Praise Him and may the Lord bless you today. May God’s will be done in all the earth and help the persecuted church and people. Amen.