A MOST DIFFICULT MOVE
When God directed Joshua to enter the Promised Land He gave directions that today seem very harsh. In fact most of us do not like to read in the Old Testament the events that took place as the children of Israel began to settle the land God had given them. Part of the settlement included purging the land of its citizens.
What kind of a God tells his children to “destroy with the sword every living thing?”
I cannot begin to visualize and understand the cleansing that occurred as Joshua and his armies marched into Canaan.
What I do know is that many of my moves required cleansing.
For reasons I don’t understand God’s plans for my life including a purging of my past and a clean new future.
When Joshua entered Jericho, “the trumpets sounded, the people shouted, and at the sound of the trumpet, when the people gave a loud shout, the wall collapsed; so every man charged straight in, and they took the city. They devoted the city to the LORD and destroyed with the sword every living thing in it…” (Joshua 6:20-210)
Moving includes putting the past behind, starting a new.
Not unlike Paul’s words in Philippians 3:13, “one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead…” ,
Those things which are ahead are called the prize, the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Jesus' way is perfect. God calls us to perfection.
He told Joshua and his army to wipe the land clean, to perfect it. His plan was to give His people a clean start- no other gods, no messed up past history, no cultural customs that would divert their eyes from the Almighty- just a pure, clean slate.
God loves me (and you) so much, He wants my full attention. He requires that I remove anything that might distract me from a full and intimate relationship with Him. Is that the plan He had when He invited His children to enter the land He had set aside for them? He wanted their full attention – no distractions?
I know God has moved me so He might cleanse me and give me a new start on life.
Is God laying out a clean slate before you? What is He asking you to clean up so your new life might glorify and honor Him?
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5 comments:
As I continue my walk with the Lord, seeking Him through His word and prayer, it seems the more I must clean out. When I loosen my grip on the things of this world and grab ahold of HIm, it is always worth it. Then I wonder "Why did I fight it so hard?" May Jesus be glorified!
Engrafted by His Grace-
Shonda
Great Post...this is one of the things the Lord has been showing me...there is stuff that needs to remain behind before I can proceed to Canaan...things that appeared to be big actually had some pretty small weak roots...things that appeared insignificant and small - well turns out that some of that stuff had/has some pretty tough and deep roots...and Jesus lovingly, carefully and mercifully keeps digging around and deeper and deeper until I am/will be free of those things which keep me from entering into the promised land.
In His Love,
Debrah
Hey! Glad to hear you are in town. How long will you be here? Email me @ lokane@familylife.com
Hello Van, what a beautiful and encouraging blog you have! I will stop back in the Garden to be encouraged often! Thanks for stopping by my blog! Yes the pooch is pampered! The stories I could tell! I often say "Rog, rhat Rog" when speaking of him! He truly is unique and our family adores him!
I love your site. I found it a few months ago after we moved to Wisconsin. I have begun to LOVE living here and made amazing friends. This past week; however, God began prompting my heart that something new was on the horizon.
My husband called me from out of the country and told me he was going to talk to someone about a job overseas. A week ago I would have cried. God was so gracious to have already whispered to my heart that he was up to something that it was easier to hear knowing He is in control.
Thanks for sharing with us.