For Zion's sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth. And the Nations shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name. Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God. Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzibah, and thy land Beulah: for the LORD delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married. For as a young man marrieth a virgin, so shall thy sons marry thee: and as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee.Isa 62:1-5
FINAL INSTRUCTIONS
Moses will be dying in a few days and Joshua will be taking over and leading the children into the promised land. This is the is backdrop for the Book of Deuteronomy which is a record of the final review and the last instructions by God through His prophet Moses.
Deuteronomy 20 is the statement of the Israelite's covenant God, of how they are to do the impossible thing. Moses speaking for God, tells the Israelite children that when they go into the promised land there will be enemies that are going to take on many appearances as they come against you. You are going to see large armies with many horses and chariots. They will have many things you don't have.
As if the odds are already heavy on the other side, Moses adds more to their favor as he enlists his army. The Old Patriarch asks, "is there any of you that are going to be getting married soon? If so put up your hand."
The hands go up and Moses tells them to go home.
What the heck, the men think. We need every man we can get!
Moses replies, "Did you not hear what the priest said? The battle belongs to God and He doesn't need many. Just a few will do. Anybody have a house to build?"
The hands go up and Moses bids them, "off you go ...... go look after your house."
"Anybody just plant a vineyard? Okay you with hands raised go tend your grapes and make them ready for when we get home."
My gosh! Everyone is being filtered out and then the great leader gives the final separating words and the most important. "Is anybody afraid?"
We know what fear does and how quickly and completely it spreads. It must be cut out, to where only that which are left are those that believe their God is able to deliver every enemy into their hands. Victory will be wrought by the believing few as God does His business through them.
CHRIST THE VICTOR THROUGH OUR WEAKNESS
Oh dear brother, dear sister can you hear the Lord's voice come to you in this hour as we embark on a spiritual quest into a territory never before tread. He knows you would trust in the horses and chariots and even the sword if He should allow them. Instead He encourages you to come in your weakness and your futility, expectant that the indwelling Christ will show Himself, victor over every enemy, every battle, and every situation. Through many trials already, Jesus has weened you from the arm of flesh and the things of the world. Your trust is only in Him today. “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” Ps 20:7
Wow, it's backward thinking isn't it. And we who used to revel in the power and authority that we could conjure up from our souls have been thrown into a loop or maybe it is a lifeline. After years of great pretense we finally saw through the facade and reality set in. The latent power of the religious soul would no longer sustain us. We discovered that when we are weak we are strong. When we had no strength and nothing of ourselves to give, God released His power and accomplished the improbable and the impossible in our lives. My gosh! the principles of faith were absolute weakness and no hope in our heart from anything natural. With these principles He has taken us places never dreamed of and most often He dragged us.
We are God's suffering conquerors because we have, first and foremost, been conquered by His faithful love come in the form of judgement and mercy. In this day, made dark and frightful to many, there are overcomers arising above the angst. These are men and woman made humble, pure in heart and pure in spirit. They are dressed in white and carry a new name and while the world cowers they are made ready to run like strong horses. And run they shall, taking the land as they make the kingdoms of this world the Kingdoms of their Lord and their Christ.
God bless you saints, you are the "conquering few" chosen of God. You are the Joshua's and Caleb's and you have no fear returning to the congregation of men to give the good report, "we can take the land!" Yes, in the midst of the fearful, let the conquering phrase, "we can take the land!" ever be in your minds and in your mouths.
Sure there will be times when doubt and anxiety care to enter in, and disturb your peace and your testimony but these are times where prayer and communion with the Father go a long way. The world is ever at your door to entice you into making a covenant or an agreement with the inhabitants of land. The carnal mind cries out to do that which is prudent and reasonable. and given it's lead, the soul will paint a thousand well crafted scenarios, but these are but the leaven of imaginations that separate one from the Tree of Life. Prudence and reasoning can never replace the direction of the Spirit and the voice of the Father, and when leaned on prudence and reasoning stand at enmity with God.
When we lay down or have a moment's rest let us allow the Spirit to fill us with the best and not the worst, the beautiful and not the ugly. Let us meditate on those things that are true, noble, authentic, gracious and tenderly filled with love.
"......... the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things ........... and the God of peace shall be with you."
Phl 4:7-9b
With our feet shod and our minds renewed, we shall go forth into this frightened and frustrated world and spread a message of faith instead of fear. We have been through the deep river. We've been tried and tested and now there are many a poor pilgrim standing on the bank waiting only a word of encouragement.
I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me. Isa 6:8
Oh, how our hearts have long yearned to be sent and now this is the long awaited hour. And we have been emptied til we have nothing to give, but Him. We are lost in Him and there is no better place in all the world. The Lord alone is all a frightened child need and so we shall gather them and point the way.
I love Thee, Lord, but with no love of mine,
For I have none to give;
I love thee, Lord but all the love is thine.
For by thy love I live.
I am as nothing, and rejoice to be
Emptied, and lost, and swallow'd up in thee.
Thou, Lord, alone, art all thy children need,
And there is none beside;
From thee the streams of blessedness proceed;
In thee the blessed abide.
Fountain of life, and all-abounding grace,
Our source, our center, and our dwelling place.
--Jeanne Marie Guyon, 1648-1717
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