MANY years ago, one bishop who’s a father to me, told me that they don’t see people the time and day they book to be seen.
It may seem rather hard on those with pressing and urgent need, but as we shall see, the wisdom behind is invaluable.
It’s a practice I have used in ministry in decades and have proved to be wisdom of the sages.
We generally see people on a daily basis but if there is an issue, I need ample time to pray about it.
My prayer will halt any evil that might befall you in your impatience.
Joshua who succeeded Moses and brought Israel into the Promised Land had wonderful and mission assuring words from God.
We read Joshua 1:5-7, “[5] There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. [6] Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. [7] Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.”
A red carpet or a silver platter it seems!
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Oh what a gracious way to be called by God for a special assignment! We, who are born again have even more convincing words as God our Father discharges us.
Ephesians 2:10, Amplified, is emphatic, “For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].”
We’re wired and formatted to succeed, to be more than conquerors, to be the head and not the tail, to be above not beneath and to be victors not victims among a host of other mouthwatering promises.
However if we’re to be true, many of us live a defeated life.
It’s okay if you’re in a process not a state because probably the Gospel of Christ probably reached you or you received another gospel.
After the empowering words to Joshua, God tells him in Joshua 1:8, “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”
At the material time, that’s what the Scriptures were. In simpler terms, God is saying that He is His Word and to be successful, we should stay in the Word and communion with Him therein.
This column has always asked readers to read, study and meditate on the Word of God, a teaching which will always be emphasised here.
In the ninth chapter of Joshua, you can see the wisdom of my bishop.
We read in part Joshua 9:3-6, New International Version, “[3] However, when the people of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai, [4] they resorted to a ruse: They went as a delegation whose donkeys were loaded with worn-out sacks and old wineskins, cracked and mended. [5] They put worn and patched sandals on their feet and wore old clothes. All the bread of their food supply was dry and moldy. [6] Then they went to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal and said to him and the Israelites, ‘We have come from a distant country; make a treaty with us’.”
Joshua and the princes of Israel did not ask God about it. When you call for a counselling appointment and I ask you to come tomorrow, I would want to hear the counsel of God apart from what you will present to me.
Apart from the gracious promises in the Bible, many believers have prophecies that will change the world for better but as the late Dr Myles Munroe said; these are found in cemeteries.
Joshua chapter nine may explain why many have not taken possession of their divinely granted inheritance.
Let’s read on, Joshua 9:12-15, New International Version, “[12] This bread of ours was warm when we packed it at home on the day we left to come to you. But now see how dry and moldy it is. [13] And these wineskins that we filled were new, but see how cracked they are. And our clothes and sandals are worn out by the very long journey. [14] The Israelites sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the LORD. [15] Then Joshua made a treaty of peace with them to let them live, and the leaders of the assembly ratified it by oath.”
Verse 14 says that Joshua and his cabinet did not ask the Lord. We pray without ceasing in our Christian walk and we’re on top of things.
Please read the whole story for yourself. Israel was to take all the Promised Land, promised way back to their forefathers.
Joshua 9:16,18-19, New International Version, is sobering, “[16] Three days after they made the treaty with the Gibeonites, the Israelites heard that they were neighbors, living near them. [18] But the Israelites did not attack them, because the leaders of the assembly had sworn an oath to them by the LORD, the God of Israel. The whole assembly grumbled against the leaders, [19] but all the leaders answered, “We have given them our oath by the LORD, the God of Israel, and we cannot touch them now.”
What have you made treaty with?
Is it sickness or have you concluded that the issue is in the bloodline and ignored the blood of Jesus?
We’re always in the Word and prayer in season and out of season. Whatever comes, we have an answer already.
Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. Grace and peace be multiplied to you through knowledge.
- All Bible quotations are from the King James Version unless otherwise stated.
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