Read Joshua 5:13-15
Christmas changes us. Certainly, we join family and friends in festive celebration, and we take time to ponder the reason for the season, but Christmas marks the advent of “God with us." Both we and our place in the world are forever changed because of Christ.
The Bible teaches that wherever the Lord is, is holy. This is why in the Old Testament Moses and later Joshua were told to remove their sandals, for they found themselves standing on “holy ground”—in the presence of God. But now that Christ has come and removed our sin, He is both with us and in us. We are, says Paul, “a temple of the Holy Spirit” (1 Corinthians 6:19). Wherever we are, He is; wherever we go, He goes; wherever we stand is holy ground, for God is present.
So, we live and move and breathe with newfound purpose. Ours is to embrace the grace we have received and to share the love and truth of God wherever we are. For the Lord is present and where He is, is holy.
QUESTIONS:
1. Does sharing Christ feel like an obligation you have to do, or a privilege you get to do?
2. Can you just for today offer yourself to the Spirit and trust Him to work through an imperfect and awkward you?
PRAYER:
Father, thank You for making me a dwelling place for your Spirit. I am humbled by such great love. Use me as You will. Amen.
Paul Nordman
Showing posts with label Joshua 5:13-15. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Joshua 5:13-15. Show all posts
Thursday, January 3, 2019
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Joshua 5:13-15
Joshua 5:13-15 (NIV)
Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, "Are you for us or for our enemies?"
"Neither," he replied, "but as commander of the army of the LORD I have now come." Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, "What message does my Lord have for his servant?"
The commander of the LORD's army replied, "Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy." And Joshua did so.
This lead in to the next chapter is brilliant. As a writer, I know how important it is to open with a hook, something that will keep your reader engaged and leave them wanting more. That is why I have been saying that reading the Bible, and in particular the Old Testament stories, will entice you for more.
The way God works in the lives of ordinary people, like Moses, and Joshua as well as you and me--well-- it takes my breath away. God sends the commander of His army to assist Joshua and prepare him for battle. When the angel told Joshua to remove his sandals, Joshua did so out of respect. He loved God and wanted to serve Him in every way he could. He was probably just a little bit awe struck himself.
Joshua obeyed out of respect and love. We should do the same. When we obey God's commands we are practicing humility and love. We are giving God what He demands and what He deserves. Our obedience can be as simple as loving and caring for our family members. Or, it can be as difficult and complicated as confessing our sins and asking for forgiveness.
Read Joshua 5:13-15 here
Listen to Joshua 5:13-15 here
Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, "Are you for us or for our enemies?"
"Neither," he replied, "but as commander of the army of the LORD I have now come." Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, "What message does my Lord have for his servant?"
The commander of the LORD's army replied, "Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy." And Joshua did so.
This lead in to the next chapter is brilliant. As a writer, I know how important it is to open with a hook, something that will keep your reader engaged and leave them wanting more. That is why I have been saying that reading the Bible, and in particular the Old Testament stories, will entice you for more.
The way God works in the lives of ordinary people, like Moses, and Joshua as well as you and me--well-- it takes my breath away. God sends the commander of His army to assist Joshua and prepare him for battle. When the angel told Joshua to remove his sandals, Joshua did so out of respect. He loved God and wanted to serve Him in every way he could. He was probably just a little bit awe struck himself.
Joshua obeyed out of respect and love. We should do the same. When we obey God's commands we are practicing humility and love. We are giving God what He demands and what He deserves. Our obedience can be as simple as loving and caring for our family members. Or, it can be as difficult and complicated as confessing our sins and asking for forgiveness.
Joshua's obedience brought God's Chosen People into the Promised Land. Our obedience will do the same.
Read Joshua 5:13-15 here
Listen to Joshua 5:13-15 here
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