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by Sandy Shaw
As we sweep through the Bible, we reached the book of Joshua - (last week we looked at some 200 years) - and under Joshua's leadership the people begin to take the land. There is a mighty victory - success - all was going so well - and then disappointment and disaster in Chapter 7 . It is a long chapter, and it is a sad chapter.
This is part of our experience too - things appear to be going so well and sin creeps in or invades - and we have to face the consequences.
Achan is found - detected and destroyed! Verses 13to 25 .
Sin cannot be hidden. "Behold your sin will find you out". Numbers 32verse 23 .
It is not just that your sin will be found out – you will be found out.
We do not get away with things. This is a moral Universe - our moral God watches over the affairs of men.
Jesus speaks about hidden things being revealed one day. Luke 8 verse 17,12verses 1to 3
Joshua Chapter 14verses 13,14 - we see here to whom Hebron belongs - and what kind of man Caleb was - wholeheartedly. Wholeheartedly is so vitally important.
The land is allotted to the various tribes.
Chapters 23,24 - Joshua has important things to say to the people of Israel.
24verse 31 - Leadership is vital. And everything about leadership is crucial - our witness - our testimony - our behaviour - the way we come in - what we say - the example we show - how we leave.
Israel was then led by Judges. Chapter 3verse 9 .
There was Gideon. Judges Chapter 6 verse 15 - How can I save Israel - often it is the lowly and insignificant man whom God chooses and uses.
Israel became what we would call a world power.
Chapter 11verses 29 - 40 - There was Jephthah. Be careful what you say – be very careful as to what you vow and promise - verse 30 .
Chapter 13 - There was Samson. His strength came from God. He looks quite ordinary. He was not a body builder – not a ‘Charles Atlas’ - or else we would know where his strength lay. His strength lay in God.
Even Jesus looked very ordinary - Jesus had to be marked out in the Garden of Gethsemane - that is the Man you are to arrest.
But Samson was careless in the day when he wielded power - we must be careful that we do not become careless when it comes to our duties and responsibilities.
We move on to the days of Samuel. Hannah prayed - and Samuel was born - who can tell the far-reaching effects of prayer?
Samuel became a Judge - a ruler - in Israel - but the people wanted to be like all the other nations, and they asked for a king - Chapter 8 .
The Prime Minister of Israel, Ytzhak Rabin, said this when he was elected - we want to be just like any other nation. Deep down inside they resented the rule of God over them.
Saul was anointed king - and kings are costly. Government is costly. Holyrood is costly - but this is what Scotland asked for. The people did not ask for that building and all these costs and expenses - but that accompanies government.
The Bible explains all this in Judges Chapter 8 .
Samuel speaks to Israel in Chapter 12 - and has later to deal with Saul who started well - but deteriorated – when he attempts to do the work of a priest. Stay within your related calling.
Chapter 15 describes Saul’s disobedience - as he spares Amalek.
Failure to carry out God's instructions - however contradictory to reason they may appear to be - always results in great spiritual loss.
Saul kills the priests of God – Chapter 22 - is influenced by an evil spirit - visits a witch - and the Spirit of God departs from Saul – 16 verse 14 .
Another man is anointed king - Chapter 16 - and he is the most unlikely man in the whole of his family - perhaps even in the whole of Bethlehem - David.
But he eventually is raised up by God to become a powerful king - with faults and flaws and failings - and one spectacular failure - for which he was forgiven. He writes about this period in his life in Psalm 51 . He faced opposition from various quarters. “Take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.”
See the Hand of our Almighty God behind everything that is happening – and if you are aware of the Hand of God being upon your life, then trust Him for tomorrow – and the day after.
“Almighty God – in Jesus Name we worship and praise You – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – we see Your Hand from creation onwards – and we give thanks that we are called to be part of your plan and purpose – enable us to remain faithful and loyal and loving – through Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord. Amen.”
“Thy Hand has guided – Thy flock from age to age –
The wondrous tale is written – full clear on every page .”
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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