Today's Passage - Joshua 8:33

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Joshua 8:33      All Israel, aliens and citizens alike, with their elders, officials and judges, were standing on both sides of the ark of the covenant of the LORD, facing those who carried it--the priests, who were Levites. Half of the people stood in front of Mount Gerizim and half of them in front of Mount Ebal,as Moses the servant of the LORD had formerly commanded when he gave instructions to bless the people of Israel.    Joshua split Israelites into two group: one group stood in front of Mount Gerizim proclaiming God's blessings, and the other stood in front of Mount Ebal proclaiming God's curses. It was important for Joshua to this. After suffering the defeat at Ai, whenever Israelites deviated from God's will, God' curse would descend upon them at once. The judgment was swift. Otherwise, many people wouldn't have known the importance of following God's words. On the other hand, city of Ai represented the secret of rising from ashes. Whenever Israelites returned to God, God would stop judging them as He judges those who disobeyed him. He showed compassion toward Israelites. This shows that the blessings of God will descend upon those who follow God's will. To Israelites, blessing and curse had never been so clear as they saw at the city of Ai.     Never believe that God is a tyrant who's always saying "If you are not for us, then you are against us." Joshua 4:5 says: "The spirit he caused to live in us envies intensely?" Do you think that like a human, God will love to death, and hate to death? James follows that "He will give more grace", meaning God will not love so much as to be jealous. He is not a tyrant, but is full of compassion, and is willing to gives even more grace. In the story of the prodigal son, wasn't the prodigal son full of misunderstanding towards his father? He thought that his father was a tyrant. He left home. When the prodigal son was down and out in the foreign land, he thought that his father was a merciless judge, and the son was afraid of returning home. But his father had always been a loving, compassionate father, waiting for him return. James 1:16 says, "Don't be deceived, my dear brothers." Do not be deceived that God is a tyrant, for He indeed is willing to give us grace, yesterday, today, and for ever and ever.      Even though He is willing to give us grace, He cannot make decisions for us. When one commits a crime in one's own will, he has to accept the consequence. God knows the terrible consequences of sin, that's why He keeps reminding His people to return to His way. A truly blessed man not only knows God's word, but also follows them willingly. May God give us the determination to follow Him!   Pray with Pastor Tong       Lord, may you open our eyes, and understand how precious your will is. May God give us soft and obedient hearts, such that we will always walk in the path of blessings.  I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!