Joshua
22:10–24:33; 2
Corinthians 13:11–14; Psalm 60:1–12
I used to tell my children ‘try harder’ but that was not a
good way to teach them about faith. Finally I learned that repentance does not
mean ‘try harder’ either. Yesterday my course professor reminded me, “Never
tell God of your resolve to serve Him; tell Him of your inability and ask for
grace and help.”
Experience with New Year’s Resolutions ought to be enough
to convince anyone. Years of trying to do things in my own strength ought to be
enough to convince me. However, God already knows that He must give me
challenges that I’m absolutely sure I cannot do without His grace and help.
While learning this takes far too long, I’m not the only slow
learner. Israel went into their promised land by the grace of God, fighting and
winning battles because He was with them. The Lord reminded them . . .
“And
you went over the Jordan and came to Jericho, and the leaders of Jericho fought
against you, and also the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Canaanites, the
Hittites, the Girgashites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. And I gave them into
your hand. And I sent the hornet before you, which drove them out before you,
the two kings of the Amorites; it was not by your sword or by your bow. I gave
you a land on which you had not labored and cities that you had not built, and
you dwell in them. You eat the fruit of vineyards and olive orchards that you
did not plant.’” (Joshua
24:11–13)
This reminder didn’t sink in though. Within minutes Joshua
challenged them to serve the Lord. Here is what he said, followed by their
confident response . . .
“Now
therefore fear the Lord and serve
him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers
served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will
serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or
the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house,
we will serve the Lord.”
Then the people answered, “Far be it from us that we should forsake the Lord to serve other gods, for it is the Lord our God who brought us and our
fathers up from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, and who did
those great signs in our sight and preserved us in all the way that we went,
and among all the peoples through whom we passed. And the Lord drove out before us all the
peoples, the Amorites who lived in the land. Therefore we also will serve the Lord, for he is our God.”
But Joshua said to the people, “You are not able to serve the Lord, for he is a holy God. He is a jealous God; he will not
forgive your transgressions or your sins. If you forsake the Lord and serve foreign gods, then he
will turn and do you harm and consume you, after having done you good.”
(Joshua 24:14–20)
Joshua was right. These people resolved to serve
God, but resolve does not work, only humility and utter dependence. God hears and
answers humble cries for help. I wonder if He just smiles kindly at confidence as
He takes me back into the classroom of life to learn again where my strength
really is.
Paul knew this principle. He said God’s strength was
perfected in his weakness. He reminded Christians many times to obey, but do it
in faith and relying on the Lord. He ended 2 Corinthians with this prayer: “The grace of the Lord Jesus
Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you
all.” (13:14)
David, Israel’s song writer, said it even better: “Oh, grant us help against the
foe, for vain is the salvation of man! With God we shall do valiantly; it is he
who will tread down our foes.” (Psalm 60:11–12)
My ‘foes’ this week are three assignments that are to be
submitted in a certain style. I’ve no clue how to do it, so I’m asking the Lord
for grace and insight. I can say “I can do all things” but must not forget the ending of that
verse. Those ‘all things’ can only be done “through Christ who gives me strength.”
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