The Woes of Middle Management

For I know how rebellious and stiff-necked you are. If you have been rebellious against the LORD while I am still alive and with you, how much more will you rebel after I die!

Deuteronomy 31:27

Moses chose some harsh words for his farewell address to the Israelites he had been leading for over forty years. Perhaps justifiably so. The Israelites hadn’t stopped complaining since they left Egypt. They were idolaters who built a golden calf to worship while Moses was off receiving the stone tablets of God’s covenant law (Exodus 32). They were rebels constantly attacking Moses’s leadership, even taking up the cause of Korah after God miraculously opened the mouth of the earth to swallow him and his fellow rebels alive (Numbers 16). 

Yes, Moses had his reasons to rebuke the Israelites, but let’s dig deeper into the context, shall we? 

You see, Moses was only middle management. God was in charge, and Moses had just come from the tent of meeting where he and Joshua had been summoned to hear the will of the boss. God, speaking in a pillar of cloud, expressed the same sentiment toward the Israelites that Moses parrotted and then commissioned Joshua as their new leader, for God was about to bring the Israelites into the promised land. By God’s will, Moses would never experience it. He would only view the promised land from a nearby mountain just before his death. Why? Moses was being punished for his own rebellion against God (Numbers 20).

On that day, Moses was both the recipient and proclaimer of God’s righteous judgment. He climbed Mount Nebo and died, never to be heard from again … 

Until the transfiguration! There, again atop a mountain, Moses beheld one whose face shone like the sun, whose clothes were white as light (Matthew 17). Moses never entered the promised land, but he talked with the promised one, the perfect lamb of God, the Messiah who through his death and resurrection would free us all from God’s righteous judgment.

Trusting for the Long Haul

When I think about people who have trusted God, Joshua is always one of the first I remember.  In the story where Moses sent scouts out to search area God promised them, Joshua and Caleb were the only team reporting that they can stick with the plan and take the land. 

Joshua didn’t say this because their army was strong and their soldiers were big.  He didn’t feel optimistic because they had some master plan up their sleeve.  He just trusted God.  He knew God told Moses the land would be theirs, so Joshua said, “Let’s go!”

Because of Joshua’s trust in God, he is now reaping the reward.  “…Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelite's.  I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses…” Today’s passage shows us how important trusting God is.  Moses did not get to set foot in the promise land, because he wavered in his trust. 

We can trust God too.  Have you felt God promise you something? While reading the word, or perhaps during a prayer, have you heard the Still Small Voice speak a promise to you?   Has a fellow Christian spoken a word over you that you knew to be from God, and now you are waiting for the promise to come to pass?  Do not waiver!  Trust God.  Our scripture today says, “Be strong and courageous” two different times.  I love when the word does that.  That kind of repetition shows me the instruction is REALLY important.  So, I will say the same thing to you as you wait for God’s promises in your life to come to pass. 

BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS, BE VERY STRONG AND COURAGEOUS.

God can be trusted.

Read today’s passage here Joshua1:1-7 

Genesis 46:1-47:12

With God's Plan-Nothing is Wasted

As this story of Joseph continues, we are reminded once again of “the big picture” and how trusting in God’s plan is our best option for living a peaceful life as the Lord intended. So many things are out of our hands, yet we attempt to control them. We want to change things to suit our circumstances and bring us comfort like Joseph's brothers did. They likely didn't live in peace after what they did.

Our dear daughter and son-in-law were expecting their third child. They were overjoyed, and anxious to welcome another tiny gift into our family. Upon learning the infant was not developing normally, they began adjusting their minds and hearts to caring for a child with special needs. That however was not part of God’s plan.

They were told this little boy would not make it to delivery. He did. Our dear Malachi Joshua was born. He cried, and we cried tears of joy that he was with us. Our precious little guy brought the entire family happiness yet concern as he had many health issues. We loved, held and cuddled him for forty hours. Then the Lord took him home.

We were all devastated, but of course none could be as heartbroken as his parents. In their mid-twenties, they were so young to have to endure such tragedy. Grief and mourning was real, raw, and heart wrenching. Through it all Malahi’s parents held tightly to each other and God’s word. His daddy was up all night the eve of the funeral, preparing to share his son’s brief yet beautiful life.

Though overwhelmed with sadness he created an amazing presentation that had everyone in awe.  Before displaying what he had prepared Malichi’s father spoke of their journey together; mommy, daddy and baby. He struggled to continue as tears welled up in his eyes and his breaking heart pounded. He concluded with how in the final moments, Malachi reached his little arms into the air as if reaching to God, took his last breath, and then settled into the arms of the Lord.

That day it was shared that “Nothing is Wasted.” Malachi’s life had great meaning and impact reaching far beyond what we will ever know. The message of hope in Christ delivered by the pastor was taken in by some in great need of a Savior. More awareness was spread on the condition of Trisomy 13 and other birth defects. Malachi’s parents became advocates for a variety of causes including adoption, ending abortions, sharing the message of God and so much more!

When we live today with the big picture of God’s plan in mind for tomorrow and beyond, we have an awareness that few others do. Each interaction and experience we have impacts others in ways unknown to us. Everything is a long-range chain reaction for good. Nothing is wasted.

God’s work through Joseph preserved a whole nation and surrounding regions from a great famine, Though Jacob mourned the death of Joseph for years, he was finally able to rest in peace. God’s promise of working for the good in Romans 8:28 doesn’t mean everything that happens to us will be good, but we can be confident in God’s power to reclaim whatever happens for a better purpose when we leave things in His hands. 

Nothing is Wasted by Jason Gray

Read/Listen to Genesis 46:1-47:12

All People Matter

Joshua 1:1-3, 3:1-10

All people matter to God, therefore all people must matter to us.

This week we visited and revisited the story of Jonah and the people of Nineveh. None of them deserved the grace and mercy of our Lord, but they received it because they were important and precious to Him.

Lord, please give us your eyes that we may see others the way you view them; through the lens of forgiveness and understanding, love, and hope of a life one day spent with you.  Help us dear God, to not only remember that all people matter to you, but to act on that knowledge to bring others into your grace.

The Starfish Story

While walking along a beach after a particularly high tide, a man noticed a boy picking up starfish after starfish and throwing them back into the sea. When he neared the youngster, he asked, “What are you doing?”

“These starfish will die if they don’t get back into the water,” the boy replied as he hurriedly continued his work.”

“There are thousands of starfish on this beach,” the man said. “Nothing you can do can possibly make a difference.”

The boy held out the starfish he had just picked up. “It makes a difference to this one,” he said and threw it into the ocean.

Though the task may seem impossible when looking at the multitudes in need of a Savior, remember, it is our God who is big enough to handle it. We are simply His messengers, and he doesn't expect us to save the whole world, that's His job. We can however, make a difference in the name of God, our Forever Father!

Read/Listen to Jonah 1:1-3

Read/Listen to Jonah 3:1-10

Promises Kept

Numbers 13:28 (NIV) 
They gave Moses this account: "We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is its fruit. But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large. We even saw descendants of Anak there. 

We all experience seasons in life where our troubles seem huge. We feel overwhelmed and confused with no idea which way to turn. We fear no one can help, and there is no answer to our problem. But over time we see life more clearly; we wonder why we didn't do this, or that. It is as if a cloud lifts and the solution to our problems is obvious.

Fear and doubt cripples us and often times impedes a blessing God is trying to bestow on us. Moses' people were experiencing this in today's reading. The men Joshua sent in to scout out the Promised Land just returned and were giving their report, but there were differing stories. The conflicting accounts and recommendations came from two types of hearts.

The hearts which doubted God's love and ability to do what He said He would do, saw only giants in the land. They envisioned more trouble and were afraid to step into God's promised new life. They forgot all the amazing and miraculous things God had already done for them. They were blinded by fear.

Caleb and his men saw that same sights but viewed them with hearts of trust of faith. They remembered the situations God had got them out of before and knew He would be right there with them at this time also. They knew this Promised Land was their new home and were ready to accept this precious gift from God with confidence and faith. They would not allow the giants before them to block out the view of God's Promise.

Numbers 13:26-33

Joshua 1:1-9 Commission of Joshua

As a child, from time to time I recall trying to tell adults what to do.  It never worked very well, and often rather than compliance I would hear the phrase, “Who died and made you boss?” These are the thoughts that came rushing back to me when I read today’s passage. Hey, I thought that line was a joke, but it really happened to Joshua! So when the Israelites asked him that same question, his answer could have been, “God did!” They might have questioned him further, and his clarification would be simple; Moses died, and God made me boss.” How awesome to be able to answer like that? What I would have given to reply in that way when I was a kid, and have it actually be true. “God made me boss, so there!” Honestly when I made suggestions to adults about how they might behave, I felt I had very valid rational. With God as my appointee things would have been much different. People would have actually listened to me, right?

We can only wish it were that easy. We see pastors and Christians of all ages communicating and modeling the message of God on a regular basis, but so much of the world simply turns away. God commissioned Joshua upon the passing of Moses, just as He has commissioned us upon the passing of Jesus. “Be strong and courageous,” God commanded Joshua three times in this scripture reading. He also reminded Joshua that He is a promise keeping God in verses 3-6, and suggested that he mull over the first five books of the bible for insight and spiritual guidance in verses 7 and 8. 

Reading the book of Joshua will surely provide a clear picture of how Joshua’s God transformed him into the dynamic leader he became. Remember, God has not changed over the centuries. The promises He made to Joshua are very alive and real for us today. Live boldly within those promises, and hold tight to His word. As you grow in faith, courage and strength for the Lord, I hope you underline, highlight, and write in your bible. If you haven't yet---start now in Joshua. 

Read Joshua 1:1-9 here
Listen to Joshua 1:1-9 here