Day 88 - March 29, 2025

Joshua 23-24 Reflection:

"One man of you puts to flight a thousand, since it is is the Lord your God who fights for you, just as he promised you." Is written in Joshua 23:10. This is a reminder that God goes before you, always has your back, and walks beside you through it all. He is surrounding you. You may think you are being surrounded at times but He is all around you fighting for you and with you. During this time of Mosaic Law, all commandments had to be kept and honored or this promise was hindered. We can see examples of this when His people chose to worship other idols, rob God of His offerings, or even burn "unauthorized" fires in worship. This could mean many things but suffice it to say someone is NOT ignorant and willfully sinning but puts on a "show" to please the Lord. Consider Matthew 23:25-33. Some folks are like whitewashed tombs. In the New Covenant (Testament) all that is expected of us is to have faith, to be faithful. Throughout Old Testament and New, "to obey is better than sacrifice" is what we have to remember. The first two commandments are the most important, found in Matthew 22:36-40:

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

Although Jesus did not come to abolish the Law, He came to fulfill it, we live under grace and not the Law. Please understand that does not mean we are to forget that the 10 Commandments are the foundation and are moral law. We are not perfect because we still are dwelling in sinful flesh and that flesh continuously is at war with our spirit, but we can still uphold moral law and biblical principles and NOT wilfully sin. Just because we are saved does not mean we are to live like hell. Examine Romans 6:1-23. Truly examine it and study and reflect. Having the knowledge of this, does your life reflect one pleasing to Christ? Are you living a life of obedience which is the very meaning of worship? Too often we hinder our own prayers and blessings by allowing sin to separate us when the only separation we need to be doing is to set ourselves apart from the world and ALWAYS follow the most important of the commandments given to us. They are not suggestions. They are not demands. They are commands. It is not about control. It is about love, a love (agape) that saves us from ourselves. We are our own worst enemy but God can set us free if we submit to Him and worship Him. Surrender all today and accept your victory in Christ. 

Here's a song that comes to mind in relation to this lesson: 

https://youtu.be/JezG-ZNQXfE?si=e7Q9OxzmAYWa0ZRD