mission and limits

Posted on July 15, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

j0410081Joshua 15

Joshua’s mission was to lead the people of Israel on a conquest of the land.  Many of the cities listed in this chapter attest to the success of that mission.  But there were limits to that success. 

“But the Jebusites, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the people of Judah could not drive out, so the Jebusites dwell with the people of Judah at Jerusalem to this day.”
(Joshua 15:63 ESV)

You and I are called to missions from the LORD as well.  Our divine Sender wants us to be faithful to those missions.  He has endowed us with the Holy Spirit, whose gifts will enable us to accomplish our missions.  But there will be limits to our success as well.  Our Master wants us to know that what matters most is not what we do for him, but what he has done for us.

LORD, we are content to serve you and go where you send us.  The mission is yours.

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missions and possibilities

Posted on July 14, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

j0410081Joshua 13-14

Even in his old age, Caleb stood in line to be allotted land because “it may be that the LORD will be with me, and I shall drive them out, just as you said.”  There was work to be done, and Caleb was going top be involved: no excuses.  The LORD is looking for  people who dare to see the possibilities, and are willing to take the risk of failure.  He does not always send the most equipped, most talented, or the strongest.  He works with the willing.

LORD, help us to see the possibilities, take action, and trust you to bring success.

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missions and conflict #2

Posted on July 13, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

j0410081Joshua 11-12

Just as it was in the conquest of the Soutrhern lands, the kings of the Northern lands conspired in an alliance and came against Joshua, and the LORD gave them into the hands of Israel.  The reason was that the LORD had hardened the hearts of the people “that they should come against Israel  in battle, in order that they should be devoted to destruction and should receive no mercy but be destroyed, just as the LORD commanded Moses” (20).  God allowed the animosity and conflict because he had a purpose for it.

LORD, give us discernment to understand that some things happen for reasons that only you will know.  Our task is to obey while you are working out your plans.

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ministry and conflict #1

Posted on July 12, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

j0410081Joshua 10

The massive acquisition of the Southern Canaan territories came about as a result of responding to a plea for help by the Gibeonites.  The kings of those lands had determined to punish Gibeon for its alliance with the Israelites.  God used this circumstance to let Joshua know that it was time to act.  He used Joshua’s prayer and made the sun stand still for an entire day in order to give the Israelites time to finish the attack.  He helped further by providing hailstones which actually killed more soldiers than the Israelite swords.  God had allowed the discouraging events to pile up to prompt his people to act – then he gave them the victory by his power.

LORD, help us to see discouraging events as your prompting to be strong and confident in you.

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missions and common sense

Posted on July 11, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

j0410081Joshua 9

The lesson the Israelite leaders learned from the Gibeonite deception was an important one.  Whatever they did, they needed to seek the LORD’s guidance first.  Although God was withy them, and promised to give them the land, he had not promised to give them wisdom apart from regular devotion and prayer.  Coming to the LORD is an exercise in faith.  It may seem ridiculous to consult the LORD on matters of “common sense” but there are too many things in this world designed to deceive us.  We cannot trust our judgment. We need his.

LORD give us the sense not to trust our common sense.

Posted in dependence upon God, faith, prayer, submission | Tagged | 1 Comment

missions and second chances

Posted on July 10, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

j0410081Joshua 8

Once more the LORD challenges Joshua to take Ai. He commands him not to fear, and ensures him that he has given the city into Joshua’s hand. 

In the process of following God’s call, we are going to “flub up” occasionally. A failure does not doom us to failure.  God still has a mission, and second chances are what he is all about.

LORD, give us the courage to try, and try again.

Posted in commitment, confidence, encouragement, missions, perseverance | Tagged | 1 Comment

missions and the valley of trouble

Posted on July 9, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

j0410081Joshua 7

Joshua assumed that all he had to do was follow the same game plan that had led to success at Jericho.  He sent out spies, they sent back a favorable report. He commissioned the attack.

Then it all went horribly wrong. About 36 dead, and the rest of the 3000 troops come running back in shame. 

It took the greed of just one man to turn the table on the Israelites.  But the leaders learn a valuable lesson.  God is not with you simply because you are doing the same things you did last time.  It is his battle.  He must set the pace.

LORD, help us to seek your face before we try to win your victory. Deliver us from presumption that might lead to another valley of trouble.

Posted in commitment, dependence upon God, discernment, missions, prayer | Tagged | 1 Comment

our missions–his victories

Posted on July 8, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

j0410081Joshua 6

Most of us are used to reading Joshua 6 as a Sunday School story – one that encourages believers to stay in line and shout when we’re told to (or something like that).  Another way to read it is to see all that happened as evidence that “the LORD was with Joshua”  (27).  The miracles (like the fall of Jericho) happen because of the presence of God.  Jericho fell – not because everyone cooperated or because of the obedience of the people.  Jericho fell because it had been judged by the God of all the earth.  God does not want us to be victorious per se.  He wants us to share in his victories.  That is why we have to remember who the commander is.  If he has not decreed the fall  — all the shouting in the world will not bring the wall down.

LORD, lead us to your victories.

Posted in dependence upon God, discernment, faithfulness, kingdom of God, missions | Tagged | 1 Comment

the real mission commander

Posted on July 7, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

j0410081Joshua 5

The Israelites had consecrated themselves by reinstituting the sign of the covenant at Gilgal: circumcision.  They had put their hearts and minds back onto the reality of their rescue by celebrating the Passover.  Now, they were ready fort battle – except for one thing.  Their leader had to understand a basic principle about God and serving him.  He commands his army.  He commands his mission.  The question is never “is God for us?”  The question is  “are we for him?” 

LORD, we yield to your command.

Posted in church, commitment, dependence upon God, leadership | Tagged | 1 Comment

missions and memory

Posted on July 6, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

j0410081Joshua 4

The stones set up at Gilgal were to be a reminder for those who experienced the miracle of crossing the Jordon, and a teaching tool for the next generation.  Our memory of the ways the LORD has intervened in our lives serve to encourage us to keep at his mission.

LORD, help us to remember, and pass our memories of your power on to the next generation.

Posted in encouragement, future, miracles | Tagged | 1 Comment