Truth Told

After the death of Moses the LORD’s servant, the LORD spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant. He said, 2 “Moses my servant is dead. Therefore, the time has come for you to lead these people, the Israelites, across the Jordan River into the land I am giving them

Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Jos 1:1–2). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

After the death of Joshua, the Israelites asked the LORD,

Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Jdg 1:1). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

G. Campbell Morgan says, “The book of Joshua began with the words in the first quote above, and recorded the story of the people of God under the leadership of his successor. Now the story is continued as to what followed his death. These beginnings keep us reminded of the persistence of the Divine purpose, in spite of the frailty of the human instruments.”

After the death of any servant of God, God’s work carries on and isn’t terminated. Our Lord God is creator of the universe and everything in it, including humanity. We know that original sin was and is humans thinking they can be God, or at least be their own God. What a mess this thinking and action has made in the world and continues to make right up to the very moment. There have been times when God’s program and process of redemption is on the ascendency but there have been other times, like right now, where humanity and even Christians have neglected God’s word.

I’m amazed when I read in the news that, elements of the Christian church now find it acceptable to compromise on God’s clearly stated standards coming from the Bible. We read that some elements of the Christian church are ordaining ministry leaders who live and advocate a sexually deviant lifestyle.

How could all of this come to be?

“What sorrow awaits the leaders of my people—the shepherds of my sheep—for they have destroyed and scattered the very ones they were expected to care for,” says the LORD.
2 Therefore, this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says to these shepherds: “Instead of caring for my flock and leading them to safety, you have deserted them and driven them to destruction. Now I will pour out judgment on you for the evil you have done to them. 3 But I will gather together the remnant of my flock from the countries where I have driven them. I will bring them back to their own sheepfold, and they will be fruitful and increase in number. 4 Then I will appoint responsible shepherds who will care for them, and they will never be afraid again. Not a single one will be lost or missing. I, the LORD have spoken!

Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Je 23:1–4). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

“Not a single one will be lost or missing“, what a wonderful quote from God’s word. Take hope and comfort my dear friends, it’s not what it seems, God is still on His throne and still in charge. There have always been times when it looked like God’s work was losing to evil and wickedness, don’t be fooled by what you see happening. I remember another time when on a Friday it looked like God’s plan had failed on a cross in Jerusalem but then came Resurrection Sunday!

Finally, dear brothers and sisters, we urge you in the name of the Lord Jesus to live in a way that pleases God

Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (1 Th 4:1). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

11 Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before. 12 Then people who are not believers will respect the way you live, and you will not need to depend on others.

Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (1 Th 4:11–12). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.