Wed.’s Devo - Joshua’s Last Words

Read: Joshua 24:1-33; Luke 21:1-28; Psalm 89:38-52; Proverbs 13:20-23 Joshua brought the people together at Shechem and told them how God called Abraham out of a family who worshiped other gods. God had Abraham walk through the land of Canaan and increased his off-spring. Isaac had Jacob and Esau. Esau’s family lived in the hill country of Seir and Jacob and his children went down to Egypt. God sent Moses and Aaron to bring them out. He sent great plagues upon Egypt to deliver his children through the Red Sea. He destroyed the army of Egypt in the Sea and brought Israel through the wilderness. They fought the kings of the Amorites and won. He delivered them out of the hand of Balaam who was hired to curse them. *** God brought them over the Jordan and gave them victory over the giants in the land. They conquered all the “ites” in the land and God gave them cities they didn’t build and vineyards they didn’t plant. They were now blessed beyond belief. *** It was time to decide if they would be faithful to the Lord and serve him or if they would serve the gods of the land or the gods of Egypt. Joshua made his decision for his family; they would serve the Lord. The people agreed that they would serve the Lord too. Joshua reminded them that God was jealous and if they turned away from him to serve other gods, He would turn and harm them and consume them. They promised to remain faithful to the Lord. *** Joshua had rolled a stone to be a witness against them if they failed to do what they had promised. It heard everything he had said. 1 Corinthians 10:4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. *** Joshua died and was buried in the place Jacob bought from the sons of Hamor at Shechem. Joseph’s bones were also buried there. Shechem became a city of refuge. *** Israel continued to serve the Lord after Joshua died until the elders who had served with Joshua died. *** In Luke, Jesus noticed all the rich people putting their offering into the box by the Temple. Then he saw a poor widow who brought her last two copper coins. Jesus commented that she had given more than all of them because she gave all she had. It isn’t the amount we give to the Lord, whether it is our talents, our time, our money - it is the proportion of our sacrifice. It all goes back to our hearts. *** The people with Jesus were commenting on the grandeur of the Temple and its buildings. Jesus told him that in the future it would all be torn to the ground. When they asked him what sign would come to let them know this was coming He told them things that would come first would be wars, and rumors of wars, nations rising up against nations, earthquakes, famines and pestilences. There would be terrors and great signs from heaven. Christians would be persecuted for their faith and be given opportunities to witness before kings and governors. Families will turn over their own people to be put to death. Followers of Christ will be hated, but those who endure will gain their lives. *** Jerusalem will be surrounded by armies and then it will be time to flee to the mountains. Many will be killed. This will last till it is the end of the days of the Gentiles. There will be so much distress in the earth that the powers of heaven will be shaken Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud of great glory. Jesus encouraged them that when they see these things happening, they could look up because their redemption is on the way. *** Many believe we are at that day right now. I personally believe we are not. There are still so many promises that have not been fulfilled in God’s Word. He will complete every promise. I believe we are about to experience the greatest time on the earth for Christians once we get through this time of transition. Nations are changing and shifting. Lines are being drawn and decisions are being made as to which god they are going to serve just like we read in Joshua, today. *** Lord, we pray for our President that he will have the wisdom of God to make decisions that will bring blessings and prosperity to our nation. We pray for other nations that they will be ruled by godly leaders and choose to follow the Lord. We cast down every demonic force that comes against America to defeat God’s purposes for her. We pray and declare that godliness, integrity and truth will prevail.