this watchman opened his Bible and read this verse: Now Joshua was old, advanced in years. And the Lord said to him: “You are old, advanced in years, and there remains very much land yet to be possessed...” (Joshua 13:1) His spirit realized that this is the message today for many churches who have started very strong and courageous many years ago and now are worn and tired, despite the admission that the harvest field is increasingly vast and plentiful and the true laborers are getting fewer and fewer…(as many have been lured to the world’s pattern of life)).What is more appropriate than reading the book of Joshua again on this second last day of 2013?
Joshua started well. He was the recognized qualified successor of Moses. Moses was not perfect but he knew God and had proven himself to be one cut above the rest of God’s people. Yet God had chosen his assistant Joshua to lead God’s people to pass over River Jordan to conquest the promised land.
God promised him: “Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses.” (Joshua 1:3)
God also gave Joshua an invincible secret weapon: His words. As long as Joshua followed God’s words, he will make his way prosperous and have good success. Not only that, God said, “for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (1:8-9)
What a God! What a blessed general of the army! Guaranteed military success!
Yet, toward the end of his life, God told him that he did not complete his military mission. Old Joshua had to leave behind unconquered land. But the Lord spoke to him in a positive way, “there remains very much land yet to be possessed.”
For the churches who are reviewing their 2013 and note the many missed opportunities in regrets, there is still hope, “there remains” very much land yet to be possessed! The land is still there waiting to be possessed. The promise of taking possession is still there.
The secret weapons God has given have not changed: His words and His presence (the Holy Spirit). What more can a church ask for?
Hurry, “there remains” is for every Christian too. What is yours? Joshua 13:1 is indeed the message for the end of 2013, the eve before the eve to pass over…
30th Reading assignment for whole family: Joshua 1-13; Judges 1-16
Hymn: ON HIGHER GROUND – I’m pressing on the upward way…
three verse on “there remains”:
- Joshua 13:1
[ Remaining Land to Be Conquered ] Now Joshua was old, advanced in years. And the Lord said to him: “You are old, advanced in years, and there remains very much land yet to be possessed.
Joshua 13:1-3 (in Context) Joshua 13 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
- 1 Samuel 16:11
And Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all the young men here?” Then he said, “There remains yet the youngest, and there he is, keeping the sheep.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and bring him. For we will not sit down till he comes here.”
1 Samuel 16:10-12 (in Context) 1 Samuel 16 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
- Hebrews 4:9
There remains therefore a rest for the people of God.
Hebrews 4:8-10 (in Context) Hebrews 4 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
AAA watchman 
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