Hope Reflected

Encouragement and Hope from God's Word

joshua Archive

Thursday

9

November 2023

Remembrance is important

Written by , Posted in Christian Living, Published Work

Remembrance is important. Read more about remembrance in the Bible and Remembrance Day on hopereflected.com

Remembering our past helps us prepare for the future

There is a saying that he who controls the past controls the future, and he who controls the present controls the past.

While we can’t wholly live in the present if we are constantly stuck in the past, we also can’t properly prepare for the future unless we remember our past.

Whatever way you look at it, remembrance is important.

Many of us are familiar with the book of Joshua, in which God tells Joshua on three occasions in the first chapter  (vv. 6, 7, 9) to be strong and of a good courage.

“Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”

Joshua 1:9

For Joshua, these verses were a remembrance of what Moses had told him previously (in Deuteronomy 3:22, 31:6-8, 23), to be strong and of a good courage for it is God Himself who fights for you.

Hear and learn and observe to do

Deuteronomy, by definition, is a copy or a repetition of the law.

Reading through the book, it holds true to its name. There is lots of repetition.

Why?

Because we learn through repetition.

Habits are created by repetition.

Repetition helps us to remember, and remembrance is important.

We read in Deuteronomy 31:9 that Moses wrote the law and commanded the priests that it should be read before Israel every seven years. He commanded the priests that the law should be read “before all Israel in their hearing” (v. 11), “that they may hear…that they may learn…and observe to do….” (v. 12), and not only for the benefit of the adults, Moses specifically commanded it to be read so that the children who didn’t know could hear and learn (v. 13).

Why dedicate an entire book of the Bible with a specific focus on repeating God’s law and passing it on to future generations?

Because we are prone to forgetfulness.

Remembrance doesn’t come naturally to us; it is something that must be practiced.

Remembrance is important.

Remembering the past is a vital component in how we conduct ourselves in the present and in how we prepare for the future.

Remembrance Day

Take Remembrance Day, for example. Every year at the beginning of November, we wear poppies as a symbol of remembrance for those who lost their lives in active service in the First World War, Second World War, right up to today. The poppy was chosen because this flower was very common in the First World War, flourishing in the soil where our soldiers were giving their lives for our freedom.

The Royal Canadian Legion (as well as The Royal British Legion and the American Legion) run their annual Poppy Campaigns and Poppy Appeals to raise funds and promote awareness for our Veterans and their families. They are also committed to educating today’s youth and passing on the tradition and meaning of Remembrance Day and Veteran’s Day for generations to come.

Were it not for initiatives such as these, who would remember?

Committed to helping the people remember

Moses, right up to his death, was committed to helping the people of Israel remember. He was especially concerned with the children, because unless they heard and learned the law, they would have no way of coming to know the Lord.

Moses even wrote a song to “be a witness” (v. 19) that future generations would sing to remember just how far God had brought them and to bring them back to what was right.

We don’t judge ourselves by our past, but we make plans for the future based on what we have learned from the past.

Originally published as “Remembrance is important.” Independent Plus. November 9, 2023: 6. Print. Web.

Monday

27

April 2020

Rahab: Obedience from an unlikely source

Written by , Posted in Christian Living, Published Work

"For the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath." (Joshua 2:11) | Rahab: Obedience from an unlikely source | Read more on hopereflected.com

Thankfully, God has a history of using unlikely people for His glory

We all have the opportunity to come to God, and He will never overlook a genuine heart.

Rahab is one such example. A prostitute by profession, Rahab seemed an unlikely person to help the Israelites; after all, she was a Canaanite, one of their mortal enemies. And yet, we read in the first chapter of Matthew that Rahab is part of our Lord’s genealogy! No matter who we are, or where we are at, God can use us.

“for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.”

Joshua 2:11

By being obedient to the Lord, Rahab took a great risk. In Joshua 2, when Joshua sent messengers into Jericho to spy, they lodged at Rahab’s house (2:1). The king of Jericho heard about this, and questioned Rahab, who in turn lied to protect the spies. Rahab took a great risk in harbouring the spies and protecting them. Why take the risk? We find out later in the chapter that Rahab, even though she was a Canaanite, believed in God. “for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.” (v.11) Because she believed in God, Rahab wanted to be obedient, even though it meant taking a great risk. Oswald Chambers once said that “you should let the consequences of your obedience be left up to God.” Obedience to God often requires great risk.

The rewards of obedience must be waited for

Rahab was willing to risk everything by her obedience to God, and because of it, she received a great reward. Rahab asked the spies to show her and her family kindness by saving them before the Israelites took the city of Jericho. She wasn’t afraid to take a risk for obedience, and she wasn’t afraid to ask for what she believed was right. The result? Rahab and her family were saved during the destruction of Jericho. “And Joshua saved Rahab the harlot alive, and her father’s household, and all that she had; and she dwelleth in Israel even unto this day; because she hid the messengers, which Joshua sent to spy out Jericho.” (6:25) After being rescued out of Jericho, Rahab and her family went to live with the Israelites, and as a result, Rahab can be found in Christ’s family tree.

The rewards of obedience must be waited for, but there is great reward when we are obedient to the Lord. We also learn from Rahab’s example of obedience that she did the right thing. Especially when the world around us seems to going the opposite direction, it can make us question whether what we’re doing or how we’re living is truly right. Rahab, despite the influences around her, knew of the Lord’s faithfulness to the Israelites, and she believed in Him. Her faith was so great that Rahab is included in the “Faith Hall of Fame”, Hebrews 13. Rahab demonstrated obedience by not allowing the people around her to influence her beliefs. Obedience to God may mean persecution from people, but ultimately, there is blessing in obedience. “Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.” (Luke 11:28)

You can read more about Biblical obedience here.

Originally published as “Rahab: Obedience from an unlikely source.” Independent Plus. February 21, 2020: 6. Print. Web.

Sunday

17

November 2019

Be strong and of a good courage

Written by , Posted in Christian Living, Published Work

"The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?" (Psalm 27:1) | Be strong and of a good courage - read more at hopereflected.com

We are each called to find our confidence in Christ

The Bible is filled with examples of epimone, a rhetorical device that uses frequent repetition to emphasize an important point. Whenever a word, phrase, or command is repeated in Scripture, take note: It is important and requires our attention (and often our obedience).

In Deuteronomy 31:7, when Joshua is appointed as Moses’s successor, Moses encourages Joshua for the task ahead: “Be strong and of a good courage….” Only a few chapters later in the opening phrases of the Book of Joshua, our Lord repeats these same words three times to exhort Joshua. Then, Joshua’s own people embolden him with an echo of the edict: Be strong and of a good courage.

Seven words with such significance: Be strong and of a good courage.

We can learn from Joshua’s example of courage

Joshua, the man who led the Israelites as they crossed the Jordan, who defeated the Canaanites and divided the land among the tribes of Israel, under whom – as most are familiar – the walls of Jericho came tumbling down. While our walls of Jericho may look different than the ones in Joshua’s time, while we may be frightened by the flow of the Jordan River that we need to cross, or whether the Canaanites we face have changed from the ones of Joshua’s day – whatever our challenges, we are called to be strong and of a good courage.

Your Jordan River may flow faster than mine, the walls of your Jericho may seem taller than your neighbour’s, and the Canaanites you face may be more cunning and crafty, but the one thing we share in common as Christians is this: We are each called to be strong and of a good courage and we are each called to find our confidence in Christ.

We aren’t called to be weak; we’re called to be meek (and yes, they are two completely different qualities). We aren’t called to be pushovers; we’re called to prevail. We aren’t called to be losers; we’re called to be – and we are – loved by Christ.

David found his courage and strength in the Lord

In the midst of his flight from Saul, David wrote, “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1) My Grandmother wrote in her Bible beside this verse that David’s confidence came only from keeping his faith trained on God. David went on to write in Psalm 27:14, “Wait on the LORD; be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart.”

Just as we can’t strengthen our physical bodies unless we eat right and work out, so we can’t strengthen our hearts and spirits unless we’re taking in God’s Word and purposing to live for Him.

Where do our eyes go when we’re facing challenges, and where do our minds go when we’re feeling afraid? As humans, it’s not our natural inclination to go first to the Lord. We have to train our spirits and make it a habit to seek God first in all of our circumstances. Strength and courage aren’t qualities that we’re born with; strength and courage are developed as we grow closer to God and spend more time feeding from His Word.

Originally published as “Be strong and of a good courage.” Minto Express, Independent Plus, Arthur Enterprise-News, Mount Forest ConfederateWalkerton Herald-Times. August 22, 2019: 7. Print. Web.

Monday

4

April 2016

A Guide to Encouraging Bible Verses Part 1 – Verses About Peace, Courage, Comfort, Happiness, and Joy

Written by , Posted in Christian Living, Published Work

apr4_hopereflected_psalm4211

As I’ve written in past columns, there are so many ways to be encouraged. Smiling more often, writing a handwritten note, going for a walk – these are all great ways to boost not only our own morale, but also the spirit of others who are touched by our gratitude.

Another great way to be encouraged is to dig into God’s Word and find some verses of encouragement. Feeling anxious? There are verses for that. Feeling afraid? There are verses for that. Feeling sad? There are verses for that. This selection is certainly not exhaustive, however I’ve curated some of my favourite Bible verses about a few different topics that I hope will be an encouragement to you, wherever you’re at in your walk today.

[If you’re feeling afraid or anxious] Verses about PEACE:

  • Psalm 4:8 “I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; for You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.”
  • Psalm 29:11 “The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.”
  • Psalm 34:14b “Seek peace, and pursue it.”
  • Psalm 85:8a “I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people…”
  • Isaiah 26: 3 “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in You.”
  • Isaiah 26:12 “LORD, You will establish peace for us, for You have also done all our works in us.”
  • Philippians 4:6 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;”

[If you’re feeling afraid] Verses about COURAGE:

  • Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and of a good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave your nor forsake you.”
  • Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
  • Ezra 10:4 “Be of good courage, and do it.”
  • Psalm 27:1 “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”
  • Psalm 27:14 “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.”
  • Psalm 31:24 “Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.”
  • Psalm 118:6 “The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”

[If you’re feeling sad] Verses about COMFORT, HAPPINESS, and JOY:

  • Nehemiah 8:10b “The joy of the LORD is your strength.”
  • Psalm 16:11 “Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”
  • Psalm 32:11 “Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous; and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.”
  • Psalm 42:11 “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.”
  • Psalm 119:111 “Thy testimonies have I taken has an heritage forever; for they are the rejoicing of my heart.”
  • 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.”

1 Peter 5:6-7 “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”

 

Originally published as “A Guide to Encouraging Verses in the Bible Part 1 – Verses About Peace, Courage, Comfort, Happiness, and Joy”. Minto Express. March 9, 2016: 5: Print.