Joshua 6:26-27
"At that time Joshua pronounced this solemn oath: "Cursed before the Lord is the one who undertakes to rebuild this city, Jericho: 'At the cost of his firstborn son he will lay its foundations; at the cost of his youngest he will set up its gates.' So the Lord was with Joshua, and his fame spread throughout the land."
After the battle of Jericho, Joshua led the Israelites to make an oath before the Lord. There wasn't much details about the oath, but the Word of God never fails. In 1 Kings 16:34, "In Ahab's time, Hiel of Bethel rebuilt Jericho. He laid its foundations at the cost of his firstborn son Abiram, and he set up its gates at the cost of his youngest son Segub, in accordance with the word of the Lord spoken by Joshua of Nun."
Many like to ask if the Word of God is still powerful since it was written long ago. I like how a pastor responses: Just like the sun, it has been around for tens of millions of years, do you feel warm when the sun shines on you? Sun has been around for many years but it didn't lose its warmness. In the same way, the Word of God has been around for thousands of years, yet it didn't lose its power to transform lives. The Word of God is powerful and could never fail, Bible says that "It is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for the least stroke of a pen to drop out of the Law." The Word of God is still the principle and model of our living; we need to spend time in studying it and actively obeying it.
When Joshua obeyed the Lord, the Lord was with him, and his fame spread throughout the land. The reason that Joshua was exalted was because of the presence of God. We do not need to exalt ourselves or busy marketing ourselves, for only the presence of God can prosper us. Just like what Moses proclaimed in Exodus 33:16, "How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?" Therefore what we seek should be the presence of God.
Indeed God is with everyone who believes in the New Testament era. But does the presence of God being manifested in such a way that people can feel it? In other words, are we entering the presence of God in our daily life? Not only we need the presence of God, we need to enter into the presence of God to enjoy His presence. It is only in His presence that our lives can be transformed and His will can be made known to us. Do you have such assurance and such experience?
Pray with Pastor Tong
Dear Lord, I thank you, for You have broken every chain of sins, so that we may come before Your throne and enjoy Your presence. May the Lord help us to draw near to You daily to enter into Your presence, understand Your will, and receive Your grace. I thank you and I pray all these in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen!
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