Quick to Forget~

June 25, 2020 – Debbie Graham
Judges 8-9

Focus Verses
Judges 8:33-35 “So it was, as soon as Gideon was dead, that the children of Israel again played the harlot with the Baals, and made Baal-Berith their god. Thus the children of Israel did not remember the Lord their God, who had delivered them from the hands of all their enemies on every side; nor did they show kindness to the house of Jerubbaal (Gideon) in accordance with the good he had done for Israel.”

With an army of 32,000, the Israelites set out to conquer the Midianites.  The Lord said there were too many men and that man would get the credit for the victory instead of God.  Anyone scared could go back.  22,000 went back leaving 10,000 men.  Another 9,700 were sent back after being tested by the Lord down by the water (7:2-8).  The Lord delivered the Midianites into their hands with an army of only 300 valiant men! 

These Israelites have seen and heard about the hand of the Lord throughout their entire lives: The parting of the Red Sea, conquering princes and kings, crossing the Jordan, taking over many regions, and entering the promised land, just to name a few. 

They are dumb sheep!  As soon as Gideon who we read about just a few chapters ago, who had been visited by an angel that told him, “The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor” (6:12) is dead, the Israelites are quick to worship other gods rather than the One True God.  They “did not remember the Lord their God who had delivered them from the hands of all their enemies” (8:35).  God sent Gideon to the Israelites because they cried out to the Lord who had delivered them into the hand of Midian for seven years, because they had done evil in His sight.  These people never learn!  Once again, they return to their evil ways. 

Let us remember to always be faithful to our God who has delivered us from our evil ways and has faithfully been by our side through the difficult seasons in our lives.  If ever our earthly spiritual leader (pastor, parent, mentor, etc.) is gone, may we continue to follow Him and depend on the unfailing promises of our great Shepherd (Hebrews 12:20).  Regardless of what others choose to do, let us follow He who will never leave us and not be quick to forget!

Prayer
Father God, thank You for leading me and being my great Shepherd.  Please help me to not be quick to forget.  Please lead me and guide me in all of Your ways all of the days of my life.  May my life testify to Your goodness and deliverance.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

What Do These Stones Mean?

June 15, 2020 – Debbie Graham
Joshua 1-4

What Do These Stones Mean?

Focus Verses
Joshua 4:5-6 “and Joshua said to them: “Cross over before the ark of the Lord your God into the midst of the Jordan, and each one of you take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, that this may be a sign among you when your children ask in time to come, saying, ‘What do these stones mean to you’””

In chapter 4 we read that after 40 years of wandering, the moment the Israelites had all been waiting for finally happened.  They crossed the Jordan into to the promised land.

Twelve men that had been chosen, one from each tribe, were to take stones from the middle of the Jordan where the priests had been standing and carry them over to the place where they camped that night.  Joshua set up the stones at the spot where the priests who carried the ark had stood in the midst of the Jordan.  

After all the Israelites had crossed the Jordan, and they were at the camp in Gilgal, Joshua set those 12 stones.  “Then he spoke to the children of Israel, saying: “When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, ‘What are these stones?’ then you shall let your children know, saying, ‘Israel crossed over this Jordan on dry land’; for the Lord your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you had crossed over, as the Lord your God did to the Red Sea, which He dried up before us until we had crossed over, that all the peoples of the earth may know the hand of the Lord, that it is mighty, that you may fear the Lord your God forever” (Joshua 4:21-24).

What are these stones?  I have a green marble heart and an envelope made from beautiful paper that was left on my door handle in a plain white grocery bag after a hurricane blew through Florida in the early 90’s.  My four sons and I were home alone while my husband was out of the country on a business trip.  We had a need that I had only spoken to our Lord.  That afternoon I found the bag hanging on the door handle.  Inside was the envelope, with cash that would be used to purchase the groceries needed to feed my family (again, a need that I had only talked to God about), and the green marble heart.

It was left anonymously.  I would venture to say that it was left for the same reason that Joshua gave to the Israelites… that we would know the hand of the Lord, that it is mighty, that we may fear the Lord our God forever, and that we would share that with others.  

I have the green heart sitting next to me now as I write this.  I remember the blessing as if it were yesterday.  It has served as a reminder to me for years of the Lord’s goodness, faithfulness, promises, and provisions.  The stone heart has prompted many conversations and I have shared of His care through it.  In my 35 years of walking with Him, there are several “stones” in my possession that speak of the Lord’s goodness and serve as a testimony to Him that He is able to use for His glory.  

Do you have any “stones”?  How do you answer those who ask about those stones?  Do you share how the Lord has guided, provided for, and been faithful to you specifically?  Are you using those “stones” to testify to all that the Lord has done?

Prayer
Father God, thank You for tangible and visible reminders.  Thank You that I can use them to share Your goodness, faithfulness, promises, and provisions with those in my life.  Help me to always remember, and give You the glory.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.