Joshua

I found it interesting how many battles and lands were fought for in the book of Joshua. Every chapter was about how Joshua lead the children of Israel up against all these kings and their kingdoms, and ultimately prevailed. When they crossed the Jordan River (a picture of the cross and the humility therein found), they entered into the land promised to their forefathers. They circled Jericho and with a great Shout, the walls came tumbling down. God is able to do the impossible in our life, and there is no obstacle that is too big for Him. What a blessing to be given something that was bequeathed so long ago. What I see in this book that God was setting up a kingdom for his people. He was removing the idolators, the evil and the sinful from the land. His desire is for a pure land, a pure people, where he can receive all the honor and glory.

The Isrealites were given opportunity to serve whatever God that they wanted, but in a very famous portion of scripture, Joshua proclaims, “Choose you this day who you will serve, as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” This is the anthem that he is wanting from his children: devotion. Devotion to love him, serve him and cherish him. He has a land flowing with milk and honey for our taking if we will just choose him and put him before ourselves in all that we say, do and think.

Deuteronomy

Deuteronomy is all about the law. The law given from God to Moses, who then, as God’s ambassador, communicates this law to man. I found it interesting that God tells us in 7:9 that “He is a faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations.” Even though we see the law being communicated, it’s not just a set of guidelines for man, it’s a covenant, a promise, of God’s faithfulness. What does the law prove? That we are unfaithful, we are unable to keep the law perfectly. We fail. We sin, and ultimately we disappoint God. I thank God that he is a God of second chances.

He leaves the choice up to us. It’s not as though we are not given opportunity to do what we want to do. We still have freedom of choice, and it’s this freedom that he wants to gain the victory in. We read in 30:15, “See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction.” We are to choose him. Seek out his will. He is perfect and divine. He is not a dictator but a lover. He wants us to love him, and in doing so, we find great blessing in his presence.