Bible League: Living His Word So the sun did not move, and the moon stopped until the people defeated their enemies.Joshua and the Israelite army had been called to the city of Gibeon in order to save their Gibeonite servants from the hand of the Amorite coalition that surrounded the city. The Lord gave the Israelites a great victory and they chased after the fleeing remnant of the Amorite armies. They must have been running out of daylight, however, because Joshua said to the Lord, "Sun, stop over Gibeon. Moon, stand still over the valley of Aijalon" (Joshua 10:12). And as our verse for today makes clear, the sun and the moon did stop on their courses through the heavens until the conquest was completed. When we read this Old Testament story we are reminded of something Jesus said at the dawn of New Testament times. He said, "Have faith in God. The truth is, you can say to this mountain, 'Go, mountain, fall into the sea.' And if you have no doubts in your mind and believe that what you say will happen, then God will do it for you" (Mark 11:22-23). Miracles like the one that happened with Joshua, therefore, should not be thought of as limited to the distant past. Instead, they should be thought of as a legitimate part of the present life we have in Christ. After all, it was Jesus Himself who said we would do even greater miracles than the ones He performed (John 14:12). If a person is walking in the will of God and in the Spirit of Christ Jesus, then amazing things can happen. The faith we have been given by God can rise up within us and speak the word that will remove whatever obstacles are standing in the way of God's will and purpose for our lives. The word spoken in faith can even alter the heavens and move mountains. There isn't anything that can thwart the purpose of the Lord when He decides to move through the faith of His servants. You are on your own personal journey on behalf of the Lord God of heaven and earth. There are enemies, like the Amorites for the Israelites, and obstacles, like the sun and moon for Joshua, but the faith God has given you can rise up like it did for Joshua and speak the word that will change everything. Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingProverbs 1, 2 Proverbs 1 -- The proverbs of Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel: NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Proverbs 2 -- Receive my words, and store up my commandments within you; NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading 1 Corinthians 12 1 Corinthians 12 -- Spiritual Gifts; One Body Made Up of Many Parts NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had.Insight Recognizing the other believers as brothers and sisters in the family of God, the Christians in Jerusalem shared all they had so that all could benefit from God's gifts. Challenge It is tempting—especially if we have material wealth—to cut ourselves off from one another, each taking care of his or her own interests, each providing for and enjoying his or her own little piece of the world. But as part of God's spiritual family, it is our responsibility to help one another in every way possible. God's family works best when its members work together. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Mark 1:30 But Simon's wife's mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her.Very interesting is this little peep into the house of the Apostolic Fisherman. We see at once that household joys and cares are no hindrance to the full exercise of ministry, nay, that since they furnish an opportunity for personally witnessing the Lord's gracious work upon one's own flesh and blood, they may even instruct the teacher better than any other earthly discipline. Papists and other sectaries may decry marriage, but true Christianity and household life agree well together. Peter's house was probably a poor fisherman's hut, but the Lord of Glory entered it, lodged in it, and wrought a miracle in it. Should our little book be read this morning in some very humble cottage, let this fact encourage the inmates to seek the company of King Jesus. God is oftener in little huts than in rich palaces. Jesus is looking round your room now, and is waiting to be gracious to you. Into Simon's house sickness had entered, fever in a deadly form had prostrated his mother-in-law, and as soon as Jesus came they told him of the sad affliction, and he hastened to the patient's bed. Have you any sickness in the house this morning? You will find Jesus by far the best physician, go to him at once and tell him all about the matter. Immediately lay the case before him. It concerns one of his people, and therefore will not be trivial to him. Observe, that at once the Saviour restored the sick woman; none can heal as he does. We may not make sure that the Lord will at once remove all disease from those we love, but we may know that believing prayer for the sick is far more likely to be followed by restoration than anything else in the world; and where this avails not, we must meekly bow to his will by whom life and death are determined. The tender heart of Jesus waits to hear our griefs, let us pour them into his patient ear. Daily Light on the Daily Path Psalm 27:14 Wait for the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD.Isaiah 40:28,29 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth Does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. • He gives strength to the weary, And to him who lacks might He increases power. Isaiah 41:10 'Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.' Isaiah 25:4 For You have been a defense for the helpless, A defense for the needy in his distress, A refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat; For the breath of the ruthless Is like a rain storm against a wall. James 1:3,4 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. • And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. Hebrews 10:35,36 Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. • For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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