This month in the Legacy Reading Plan we’re in the book of Joshua, which is such an exhilarating book. We so often talk about the time the Israelites left Egyptian captivity, and crossed over the Red Sea with God parting the waters to make way for them upon dry ground (Exodus); yet, so often we forget that after they left exile and crossed the Red Sea, they likewise entered Paradise, or the land of Palestine, by way of crossing the Jordan River, and God performed the same miracle! He parted the waters of the Jordan which were in flood stage. The Jordan in flood stage during the harvest was very wide, and impassible; yet, as soon as the priests who carried the Ark of the Covenant reached the Jordan, and their feet touched the water’s edge, the water from upstream stopped flowing, and the water flowing down to the sea—the Salt Sea—was completely cut off, and the people of Israel went through on dry ground into the Promised Land (Joshua 3:1ff).
What I find fascinating is this: if you keep reading through Joshua, not long after the time God allows them to enter into the Promised Land, we see Joshua lying facedown, and crying out to the Lord, questioning why He led them to the land, saying, “Why did you ever bring this people across the Jordan to deliver us into the hands of the Amorites to destroy us? If only we had been content to stay on the other side of the Jordan!” (Joshua 7:7, NIV).
Joshua had come into a difficult situation and immediately was thinking about how wonderful it once was in the desert, just as the desert Israelites were thinking how wonderful it was back in Egyptian exile. They essentially forgot that God had provided a way for them, and they longed for what was before.
God, however, commands the people to build an altar—to signify a way of remembering His salvation (Joshua 8:30–35). It’s similar to what I call a “legacy altar,” where you set aside a record of the significant moments in which God sovereignly provides for you, where His grace is bountiful, where His mercy is overflowing, and His love has been most clearly demonstrated in your life.
Like Joshua, you too must remember the faithfulness of the Lord in your situation, because so often we forget—and I can tell you that that’s true of me, just as it’s true of you—and, therefore, it’s so good to record the faithfulness of God, so you can go back to that altar as a memorial, a remembrance, of God’s faithful provision.
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9 comments:
the water from upstream stopped flowing, and the water flowing down to the sea—the Salt Sea—was completely cut off, and the people of Israel went through on dry ground into the Promised Land (Joshua 3:1ff).
Boris says: The was a river there for thousands of years. The water is cut off and all of a sudden the ground is dry. Sure Hank. Tell us another story from Tales of the Supernatural Testaments 1&2.
Boris, what exactly is your purpose here? Nothing you can say is going to turn a true, born-again follower of the Lord Jesus Christ away from Him. Don't you have something better to do with your life?
John Tucker,
So what? Nothing YOU say could ever convince an adult atheist or anyone else with any knowledge of science at all to buy into the religious lies and superstitions that you have. You have never converted anybody except small defenseless children. In fact you Bible thumpers are the very reason that 5000 Christians a day in the U.S. alone reject their Christian superstitions forever. It’s YOUR cult's constant public attacks on science, history, logic and reason that drive other Christians to reject their faith. Most of them don’t pay any attention to we atheists. Are you going to tell me that none of those 5000 people were previously true followers of Jesus Christ? Because if you are, that is nothing more than a logical fallacy known as the “No True Scotsman Fallacy” and I’ll file that with the rest of the lies you’ve told on this blog. Btw, You’re wasting YOUR life on delusion put in your head by OTHER PEOPLE through the use of coercion and not by the presentation of any evidence or proofs.
The fact is that most religious conversions to the Christian system of dogmatic superstitions happen rather quickly, as soon as the new convert has been completely frightened out of their mind and ability to think rationally by the fear of hell, just as you were. De-conversions however, are long slow and often very painful processes. I know because I’ve helped dozens of people get on the way to what always turns out to be happy rejections of their religious faith and a great sense of relief. After that the anger at being duped by other people often surfaces. Ex-Christians are often even more brutal with their criticisms of Christianity than I am. I’ve never been silly enough to fall for the lies of Christianity. I saw through them when I was four years old. The fact that you’re adult and you cannot which proves what a child-like immature mind you really have.
I’ll be glad to Email you some correspondences I’ve had with people who I’ve helped de-convert. They give good insight into the process of religious de-conversion and deprogramming. In college I deprogrammed a couple of my Christian college professors. So don’t tell me I can’t do help people see that Jesus Christ is a myth and the Bible isn’t true. I proved Jesus Christ never existed right here on this blog.
A more interesting question than your first one is why does Hank continue to let me post on this blog?
Thank you Hank. I am going to Listen to the book of Joshua on the word of promise audio. I am really under a lot of stress right now. I find myself longing for the old days like Joshua. Going back to school is a stretch of faith for me right now. But, the Lord has always been my motivation and my inspiration. I think he is with me on this.
John,
My purpose was to frighten all the Christians away from this blog and completely shut down all activity on it except for Hank's posts. Look at it dude. Mission accomplished. Truth won out.
Mission Accomplished:
But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.
Is 53
And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.
1 Jn
Anonymous,
Not at all. CRI tech dept. is moderating comments now, and it can take up to two or three days for new comments to appear. You can stop gloating now.
By the way, I often wonder about people who post anonymously instead of under a real name - at least a first name. Doesn't do much for one's credibility.
John
Glad I stumbled across your site a few doors down from mine.
We've enjoyed your show for years.
I have a son named Joshua~~born in need of major medical care. God sovereignly provided and mercy was overflowing. I watched my husband witness and minister to so many people while little Josh (who is now 17 6ft and Hulk like) was in the Children's hospital.
We have so many markers of praise...from this example to the loss of a preborn child, Jesse.
God is faithful.
Thank you Sir,
Kathy Lonsinger
Founder
A Gentle Answer Ministries
http://agentleanswer.blogspot.com/
Thanks, Hank, it is good to encourage each other with edifying words and to give God glory for all He does within our understanding.
It is good to remember ALL goodness is from HIM and not anything we deserve.
Mary
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