February 27th

February 27th -- Joshua 1 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joshua%201&version=NLT)

God's charge to Joshua and Joshua's charge to the Israelites.

God comes to Joshua after Moses' death and says it is now his time to lead the people. He describes the boundaries of the land and explains God will always be with them there and no one will be able to stand against them there. He tells Joshua to be strong and courageous, and not to fear for God will be with them. He says to obey all the laws and he will be successful. He tells Joshua to study the Book of Instruction continually and obey it all.

Joshua then goes to the Israelite commanders and tells them to get the people to gather theit things as they will be leaving in three days. He then calls the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half-tribe of Manasseh, telling them that like Moses commanded them, that they will stay in this land. Their warriors, though, will help lead the others across the Jordan river into the rest of the land.  They are to stay until God gives them rest, and then they may also cross. They tell Joshua they will do as he has commanded them to do as God told him to tell them.

Am I the only one who finds that saying Joshua will only be successful once he obeys EVERY law is a bit strict? I mean, God is perfect, so really, He should hold us to that standard. However, He also knew we were/are sinful as a whole, since the fall. I think maybe that's why He is also merciful. He KNEW Joshua and the Israelites could not be perfect - He KNEW they'd make mistakes and break rules in that book. Yet, he did not destroy them, because He KNEW they would do it and was merciful. Realizing we really are supposed to obey all those rules, and how often we don't, I become quite aware of and glad for how merciful God is. If He were not, I'd hate to think where that would leave us all...

Well, that will be all. God bless! Shalom!