9/24/2009 9:37 AM
SPIRITUAL DIARY
My Worship Time Focus: Ai emptied
Bible Reading &
Meditation Reference: Joshua 8:14-17
Message of the verses: “14 It
came about when the king of Ai saw it, that the men of the city hurried and
rose up early and went out to meet Israel in battle, he and all his
people at the appointed place before the desert plain. But he did not know that
there was an ambush against him behind the city. 15 Joshua and all Israel pretended to be beaten
before them, and fled by the way of the wilderness. 16 And all the people who were in the city were
called together to pursue them, and they pursued Joshua and were drawn away
from the city. 17 So not a man was left
in Ai or Bethel who had not gone out after Israel, and they left the city unguarded and
pursued Israel.”
This is the
first part of the third point in this chapter that was written by Warren
Wiersbe, and this third point is called “A new victory.”
The battle
is now beginning between Israel and Ai, and it also has some men from Bethel
involved in it too as these men were with the men from Ai. Now because of the first battle in which the
children of Israel were defeated because of the sin of Achan the men of Ai were
overconfident and so when they saw Israel begin to run they all left the city
to chase after them and thus left the city unoccupied of any of the soldiers,
which was a terrible mistake on their part.
The plan that was most assuredly given to Joshua by the Lord was working
just as it was planned.
Spiritual meaning for my life today: There are a number of things that stick out
in this chapter eight of Joshua up to this point that seem important to
me. First of all sin must be confessed
when it is made known to me by the Holy Spirit even if consequences are to
follow. Second is that God is a God of
new beginnings and will led me to victory.
Third it is important for me to seek God before I begin to do something,
for I must have the Lord direct my path each day while I am here on earth. Forth fact that I have learned is that
overconfidence is something will get me in a lot of trouble just as it first
got Israel
in trouble and then Ai in trouble. My
confidence should be firmly place in the Lord and not in me.
My Steps of Faith for
Today:
1.
Romans 12:1-2 “1 ¶ I
beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your
bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable
service. 2 And be not conformed to this
world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove
what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
2.
Proverbs 3:5-6 “5
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own
understanding. 6 In all thy ways
acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
3.
Psalm 139:23-24 “23
Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious
thoughts; 24 And see if there be any
hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way.”
4.
Philippians 4:11 “11
Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I
am.”
5.
Ephesians 6:14-18 “14
Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING
PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, 15
and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE;
16 in addition to all, taking up the
shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming
arrows of the evil one. 17 And take THE
HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 With all prayer and petition pray at
all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all
perseverance and petition for all the saints.”
6.
Since, then, you have been raised with
Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand
of God. 2 Set your minds on things
above, not on earthly things. 3 For you
died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.
9/24/2009 10:12 AM
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