TO SERVE GOD

 

When Joshua stood with the strength of a prophet before the children of Israel and delivered his farewell, he recounted not his power but the Lord’s in deliverance of His people from bondage and His gifting of ‘the land for which the Israelites did not labour and the cities which they did not build’ (Joshua 24:1-14).

The children of Israel became fearless in the strength of God under Joshua’s leadership. Nations trembled at the mention of their name as they flooded Canaan and claimed the land. None could stop their conquering spirit. They earned the name Jeshurun (righteous Israel) because they chose to serve God under Joshua’s leadership to do so (see The Old Testament Student Manual Book 1 p 242). The people are only as good as the example they follow….Joshua was that leader and that example.

As they entered the promised land, the children of Israel were given three warnings, in the event that some heathen nations were allowed to remain and live alongside them: 1. Beware of social intercourse with them (Joshua 23:7; 2. Refrain from worshipping their false gods (vv 7-11); and 3. Avoid intermarriage with hem (v 12). If these rules were ignored, Israel would fall into the snare of idolatry and their covenant with Jehovah, along with His protection and prosperity would be null and void.

As a result of Joshua’s devotion to Jehovah, we have one of the most instructive and famous scriptures of all time: “Choose you this day whom ye will serve… as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15).

“The Saints today also face a world intent on their spiritual destruction. Canaan has long passed from the earth, but Satan, who incited Canaan’s wickedness and opposition to Israel, is still determined to destroy those who follow the Lamb of God (see 1 Nephi 14:12-14)…..

“Now during this critical period, and it is a critical period that we are passing through, I hope that we will keep ever burning in our hearts the spirit of this great work which we represent. If we do so, we’ll have no anxiety; we’ll have no fear; we’ll not worry about the future because the Lord has given us the assurance that if we live righteously, if we keep his commandments, if we humble ourselves before him, all will be well.” (Elder Ezra Taft Benson, In Conference Report, Oct 1950, pp 145-46)

We still have Joshuas at the head of our Israel today to inspire us to serve the one and true living God. Today, we have President Oaks. Even though times become perilous and even though there will be times of insecurity to propel us into anxiety, the prophets at the head of Israel today, like Joshua will lead us to “be strong and of good courage; to not be afraid, neither dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” (Joshua 1:9)

We, the children of Israel,

Ever follow the Shepherd

Who would not see us lost,

Who rescued our souls

Never counting the cost.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: The Good Shepherd by Del Parson)

NOT YET

 

The promises that we receive through the Gospel are legitimate but many come with a caveat of “not yet”.

I reflected on Abraham again yesterday and how rich he was in cattle, gold, silver and servants yet he lived in tents his whole life never owning a piece of land. And when death came knocking on the door, he purchased a cave for his and Sarah’s burial from the sons of Heth (Genesis 25:9,10).

The land of Canaan was promised to Abraham even though he never possessed it personally (Genesis 17:7; 13:15; 17:8). This was a classic example of “not yet”:

“The Lord gave the promise to Abraham that he should have Palestine, or the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession. Yet…Abraham never received as much as a foot of it as a possession while he lived. Then what did the Lord mean in making a promise to Abraham of that kind?....

“Simply this, that the time would eventually come, after the resurrection from the dead, when Abraham and his children who have been faithful in the keeping of the commandments of the Lord, should possess that land, and they shall also spread forth as far as it is necessary for them to receive an inheritance.” (Smith, “Doctrines of Salvation”, 1:88)

So why “not yet”?  Because this life is the time for faith and not fulfilment. In his epistle to the Hebrews, Paul expounded on this perfectly. He listed in detail prophets and people of renown who led amazing lives of faith but never received the promises and “confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth” (Hebrews 11:13)

Paul goes on to say that they through faith “subdued kingdoms, stopped the mouths of lion, quenched the violence of fire,  were tortured, scourged and imprisoned, stoned and sawn asunder, slain by the sword, were destitute, afflicted and tormented, wandered in deserts and in mountains and caves of the earth…..yet they never received their promises”……  And then he gives the reason why…..”God having provided some better things for them through their sufferings, for without sufferings they could not be made perfect……and obtain a better resurrection” (Hebrews 11:33-39; JST 40a)

“Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.” (Hebrews 10:35;36)

“….and in time ye shall possess the goodly land.” (D&C 103:17-20)

 

I suffer the passing of time

In this season of my discontent;

And count the moments of

Loneliness that rob me of my promises.

I am so far from home I once knew

I ache and ache

For the reality of You.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Come by David Bowman)