DCLM Daily Manna 2024: DCLM Daily Manna 23 November 2024: Heed The Solemn Charge
Text: Joshua 23:1-16 (KJV)
1 And it came to pass a long time after that the LORD had given rest unto Israel from all their enemies round about, that Joshua waxed old and stricken in age.
2 And Joshua called for all Israel, and for their elders, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers, and said unto them, I am old and stricken in age:
3 And ye have seen all that the LORD your God hath done unto all these nations because of you; for the LORD your God is he that hath fought for you.
4 Behold, I have divided unto you by lot these nations that remain, to be an inheritance for your tribes, from Jordan, with all the nations that I have cut off, even unto the great sea westward.
5 And the LORD your God, he shall expel them from before you, and drive them from out of your sight; and ye shall possess their land, as the LORD your God hath promised unto you.
6 Be ye therefore very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left;
7 That ye come not among these nations, these that remain among you; neither make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause to swear by them, neither serve them, nor bow yourselves unto them:
8 But cleave unto the LORD your God, as ye have done unto this day.
9 For the LORD hath driven out from before you great nations and strong: but as for you, no man hath been able to stand before you unto this day.
10 One man of you shall chase a thousand: for the LORD your God, he it is that fighteth for you, as he hath promised you.
11 Take good heed therefore unto yourselves, that ye love the LORD your God.
12 Else if ye do in any wise go back, and cleave unto the remnant of these nations, even these that remain among you, and shall make marriages with them, and go in unto them, and they to you:
13 Know for a certainty that the LORD your God will no more drive out any of these nations from before you; but they shall be snares and traps unto you, and scourges in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until ye perish from off this good land which the LORD your God hath given you.
14 And, behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth: and ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the LORD your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof
15 Therefore it shall come to pass, that as all good things are come upon you, which the LORD your God promised you; so shall the LORD bring upon you all evil things, until he have destroyed you from off this good land which the LORD your God hath given you.
16 When ye have transgressed the covenant of the LORD your God, which he commanded you, and have gone and served other gods, and bowed yourselves to them; then shall the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and ye shall perish quickly from off the good land which he hath given unto you.
KEY VERSE: Joshua 23:11,7
“Take good heed therefore unto yourselves, that ye love the LORD your God… That ye come not among these nations, these that remain among you; neither make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause to swear by them, neither serve them, nor bow yourselves unto them.”
In the speech, delivered on April 3, 1968, American civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. seemed to have a premonition of the tragedy that was about to unfold. He told the large crowd of supporters in Memphis, Tennessee, not to waver from the original objective of their struggle. He said their endeavour was a struggle for justice and equality among all races in their country. He had seen the Promised Land and even if he failed to get there, his followers must continue the struggle peacefully and with determination. He reassured them that their cause was right and they shall overcome some day. The next day, he was shot dead by an assassin. It was his final admonition, a final charge to press on until victory is won.
Joshua was one of the greatest leaders of Israel, raised by God to take over the reins of power and lead His people into the Land of Promise. He was appointed by God after the death of Moses who brought the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage. Having fought numerous battles and conquered many enemy nations, Joshua, now aged and retiring, warned the Israelites of the dire consequences of departing from the living God and turning to dumb gods.
Such a solemn charge, usually the product of long experience in walking with God, should be received by all believers with a determination never to deviate from God’s plans, but to follow His guidance until the end. Consistency in pursuing God-given assignments in life guarantees lifelong fulfilment and eternal reward for faithful leaders and followers of Christ today.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Heeding the admonitions of God’s word procures our victory and lasting fulfilment.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
2 Kings 24-25
Daily Manna 23 November 2024
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