March 23
Joshua 3:1-6:27
We read the words of prophecy in Daniel 12:4, "“But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.”" And here we are! At our fingertips, literally, on our computers, on our television sets, etc. "knowledge" abounds. But, I'm sorry to reveal this truth to all of us, with our degrees, and fancy titles, we are probably the most ignorant generation to walk the Earth. We read in Proverbs 1:7, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction." So, I don't really care whether or not you went to Harvard, or how many letters you have after your name, if you don't know the One True God, you are a walking ignoramus. This truth doesn't require much discussion. Our world sits in absolute fear because they don't know God. People are also so gullible that they adopt any new "ism" or philosophy, no matter how absurd it might be, such as a male not really being a male, or a living baby inside the womb not really considered a life, all because of ignorance to who God is. Most don't know. Others forget. Parents teach their children about everything except the only One that really matters, Who is God. Children are recipients of generational ignorance. People who deem themselves "free-thinking", critical thought leaders often deem themselves "agnostic', not realizing that this term in Latin, literally means "without knowledge" or "ignoramus".
What were Joshua's credentials? He did not go to the higher places of education in Egypt. He trained under Moses and carefully observed the hand of God with the Israelites over the past forty years. We read in Joshua 3:5, "And Joshua said to the people, “Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.”" He tells the people to "set themselves apart", to "be holy". They were about to embark on unchartered territory with fierce battles. He doesn't give them an instruction manual or battle plans, he tells them to set their eyes on God, for though they might not have gone into the land yet, God has already gone there before them, and He has everything under His control. He then instructs them in 4:5-7, "and Joshua said to them: “Cross over before the ark of the Lord your God into the midst of the Jordan, and each one of you take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, that this may be a sign among you when your children ask in time to come, saying, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ Then you shall answer them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord; when it crossed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. And these stones shall be for a memorial to the children of Israel forever.”" This is where we so often lack understanding. Joshua told them to pass onto the next generation the truths of God, so that they never forget.
Yes, there are many uncertainties concerning the future. But we have God's story. His past truths give assurance of tomorrow's promises. That God has always delivered His people tells us that He always will deliver His people. But we must remember where our citizenship lies. If we are in Christ, we are citizens of heaven, and only His ambassadors on Earth. The truth is we are all weighed down with too much stuff of this world. Jesus said in Luke 14:33, "So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple." God is never going to leave you. But are you willing to leave God? You can't trust both. As Joshua said so long ago, "sanctify yourselves". Fellow children of God, now is the time to set yourselves apart. Then believe, or place your full weight on Him, and watch Him "do wonders among you".
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: