0127. JOSHUA; OR, THE HIGHER CHRISTIAN LIFE.
JOSHUA; Or, THE HIGHER CHRISTIAN LIFE.
The character and life of Joshua gives us a striking illustration of how the promises of God are to be received and enjoyed. Canaan represents the better land, or what God Himself designates "My rest" (Heb_3:11). This rest did not mean a folding of the arms and a lying down at ease. It meant hardship, warfare, and victory. It simply meant an entering into the plans and purposes of God, and a quiet resting on Him alone, to accomplish all that He had promised. The Christian life is a life of-
1. Faith in the promises of God. "Every place that the sole of your feet shall tread upon, that have I given you" (chap. Jos_1:3). There can be no real progress without a planting of the foot of faith upon the "sure word of promise." All other ground is sinking sand. There will not be a close following of the Lord unless there is a constant trusting in Him. The believer must be prepared to venture, like Peter, on the deep waters at His bidding. Faith will be tried, it is too precious not to be tested. There will be Jordans in our path and Jericho walls in our way, difficulties which faith alone can surmount. "But nothing shall be impossible to them that believe," and continue believing. It was when the feet of the priests were dipped in the brim of the water that the waters stood (chap. Jos_3:15-16).
2. Consecration to the will of God. At Ai we see failure for want of being consecrated wholly (as a body) to the revealed purpose of God (chap. Jos_6:18-19). To live the consecrated life there must be-
1. An understanding of the Word of God. "The book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth, thou shalt meditate therein day and night" (chap. Jos_1:8).
2. An unquestioning obedience to the mind and will of God. "Turn not from it to the right hand or the left" (chap. Jos_1:7). To turn from the Word is to turn from God, and many are the temptations to turn aside, arising from our own feelings and the likings of carnal-minded men.
3. A sanctifying of ourselves (chap. Jos_3:5). If we would see the wonders of the Lord this is needful. A setting apart of ourselves unto God (chap. Jos_23:11-12).
3. Fellowship in the presence of God. The promise given was clear and comforting: "I will be with thee: I will not fail thee nor forsake thee" (chap. Jos_1:5). How full of grace. Then the promise was confirmed: "As I was with Moses, so will I be with thee" (chap. Jos_3:7). The promises of God are just as good to the believer as they were to His own Son, and His presence should be to us as real and as abiding. Joshua believed the Word, and so he said, "The living God is among you" (chap. Jos_3:10). How striking is Jos_1:15 of chapter 5. We see Joshua in fellowship with the Captain, Prince of the Lord’s hosts. He said: "Loose thy shoe from off thy foot, for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so." Then the scene abruptly closes, leaving Joshua standing with unshod feet in the holy presence of his mighty Lord, typical of the Christian’s constant attitude toward his Lord and Master. Then in chapter Jos_6:27 we read: "Lo, the Lord was with Joshua." And Joshua’s dying testimony was, "The Lord your God, He it is that fighteth for you, as He hath promised" (chap. Jos_23:10). He is faithful that hath promised.
4. Testimony to the honour of God. The whole life of Joshua was a testimony for God. But the twelve stones which he pitched at Gilgal were to stand as a special testimony to the mighty saving power of God in opening a new way for His trusting people. These stones were the works of faith, and others seeing them would glorify God. The fruit of all testimony is that men "might fear the Lord your God for ever" (chap. Jos_4:21, Jos_4:24), and this testimony is to be to "all the people of the earth" (v.24).
5. Warfare against the enemies of God. As soon as Jordan is passed, and the witness pitched, they find that Jericho is straitly shut up (chap. Jos_6:1). So that aggressive warfare is at once needed if the promises of God are to be realised. The enemies are great and many. "All the kings gathered themselves together to fight with Joshua with one accord" (chap. Jos_9:1-2). There are many kings to fight. There is King Pride, King Lust, King Love-ease, King Fearful, and King Please-all. There is also King Fashion, King Hate-the-truth, King Love-the-dark, King Worldly-mind, King Unbelief. Everything not pleasing to God is our enemy.
6. Victory in the Name of God. "No man shall be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life" (chap. Jos_1:5). It is a life of constant victory. If there is defeat, as at Ai, "it is because of sin." Every wall must come down before the shout of faith (chap. Jos_6:5). Every opposer may be smitten and the land possessed for God (see chap. 12). When men are faithful to God, then the terror of God is sure to fall upon the enemies (chap. Jos_2:9). If your life is not victorious, then it is time you were searching your heart.
7. Rest in the faithfulness of God. They divided the land (chap. Jos_14:5), and they rested from wars (chap. 15), so they rested in the good gift of God. A land which they did not purchase, cities and vineyards which they made not (chap. Jos_24:13). Not one thing had failed (chap. Jos_23:14). But while we rest in the possessions given us of God, still we must not rest from war as long as there is yet much land (blessing) to be possessed (chap. Jos_13:1; Jos_18:3). If we rest short of the fulness, then the likelihood is we will not enjoy what we have. The enemies spared became thorns in their side. Rest in the Lord.
Autor: James Smith