THE LORD SPOKE (March 06)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Old Testament: Numbers 26-27

How would you like to be the leader to follow Moses? Successors to great leaders always have a struggle ahead of them. But successor to Moses??

Joshua faced a daunting task. Moses himself had his hands full trying to lead the people of Israel. It was like herding cats. Just about the time he got them all pointed in the same direction, another mouse would dart across the path and disorder, even chaos, would return. When they weren’t grumbling, they were trying out the latest pagan practices. When they weren’t dabbling with sin, they were complaining again. It just never seemed to stop.

How comforting must have been the Lord’s promise to Joshua after Moses died: “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Josh. 1:5). Apart from that, it would have been hopeless.

Joshua was a good choice. As Moses’ lieutenant, he’d been there from the first. He’d watched how Moses handled every situation. He’d observed the depth of Moses’ personal walk with the Lord. He’d seen the hand of the Lord deliver them on many occasions.

As one of the faithful spies, Joshua had seen something few others had seen. By the end of their time in the wilderness only he and Caleb had actually seen the land to which they were going. Not another person had that mental picture to sustain the drive into Canaan. Furthermore, Joshua had survived the lynch mob and seen the Lord’s deliverance on that occasion. He had all the evidence needed to know that this was God’s leading.

Most important, as a man after God’s own heart, Joshua was qualified for the task. Did you notice God’s evaluation of Joshua? With an economy of words, God gives the reason for His choice. Joshua was “a man in whom is the Spirit” (Num. 27:18). Nothing more needed to be said. Nothing higher could be said. Joshua was qualified for the job because he walked with God.


New Testament: Luke 21

How do you prepare for troubled times? Is there anything you can do now to get ready for what appears to be a difficult future? How can you face tomorrow when you know it’s going to be much harder than today?

In the middle of His words to the disciples preparing them for the storms ahead, Jesus gave four clear statements answering just those questions:

1) “Watch out that you are not deceived” (Lk. 21:8).

How exactly can you do that? First, you must be informed and the proper and best source of that information is the Bible. Read God’s Word and internalize it so that you can detect deceptions a mile away. Know what the Scriptures say so you can compare and analyze information received from other sources. Like people who learn to detect counterfeit money; they don’t study all the counterfeit stuff. They’d never be able to keep up; there’s new counterfeit material appearing daily. Instead, they become so familiar with the real thing that anything fake becomes easy to spot. So too, know the truth of God’s Word so well that it’s easy to spot the error of deceivers.

2) “Do not be frightened” (Lk. 21:9).

That could be like telling someone who’s crying, “Don’t cry.” How can you stop if you’re already involved? How can you not be afraid if you’re afraid. First, take God at His word. Again and again in Scripture when “the angel of the Lord” (OT) or Jesus (NT) appeared, the first thing He had to say was, “Be not afraid, it is I.” Why would anyone be afraid in His presence? He is the Master of the Universe and always in perfect and absolute control of all things. That is the best possible reason to not be afraid. So trust Him! Then, when frightening things appear on your horizon, go to Him for help. Ask Him to take that fear away. He’s promised to do so!

3) “Make up your mind not to worry beforehand” (Lk. 21:14).

As above, that’s easier to say than to do. But Jesus wouldn’t command something that was impossible or silly. It might seem so to us, but be assured, He means what He says and it must be the right solution. So, it really is a mental thing that you need to do before hand. Spiritually speaking (i.e. don’t try to do this in your own strength), steel yourself to future troubles by determining beforehand that they will not rock your boat. If you’ve ever been in a canoe with rough water ahead, you know that seeing it coming and preparing to roll with it when it hits is the best way to anticipate the surge. Failing to prepare beforehand is the sure way to risk capsizing.

4) “By standing firm you will gain life” (Lk. 21:19).

One victory leads to another. Standing firm makes it easier to stand firm. You just need to get started right and keep trusting the Lord for that to add up to a victorious lifestyle. Every time the Devil comes knocking, send the Lord to answer the door. He may not give up but eventually he’ll get tired of trying that door. With your feet on the Rock, no tide can sweep you away. With your heart in His hand, nothing can pry His fingers apart. With your name written down in the Book of Life, nothing in all the universe can erase His record-keeping.

So, do you have the strength to withstand the coming storm? No. But He does!