A City Designed And Built By God

by Brian Farrell⁽²⁴⁶⁾ Red Star

http://www.ph16.com

Joshua 24:14-15

" Now therefore, fear the LORD, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the LORD! And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that [were] on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. "

Joshua tells Israel to serve God in sincerity and truth. I have personally found that I must keep myself very close to Jesus in prayer and worship to continue serving Him faithfully and with a sincere heart of love for others. Oh, how I must stay in His Word to know and to speak His truth. I know there are many times that I am lacking in one, if not all four of these imperatives. Fear the LORD, serve, serve in sincerity, serve in truth. The justice of God is severe, but the grace of God abounds more. Lord, may we walk in your love, in the sincerity of a changed heart. May we know and speak the truth in love. Jesus said to love one another and that the Holy Spirit would lead us into all truth, comforting and teaching us as we walk with Him. May our hearts be comforted, so that we may comfort those without God. And may we be led and taught by the Lord, so that we may teach those in darkness.

Joshua also exhorted the children of Israel to put away the gods which their fathers served on the other side of the Jordan and in Egypt. Let us not fall back to our early days in the faith. Saved, but still walking in the ways of this world. Let us not slide back into the old ways, in which we lived in sin without the light of Christ. Empower me to love and serve you with all of my heart, soul and mind, Lord.

Joshua said to choose this day who you will serve. Whether the gods your fathers served or the gods of the people in whose land you dwell. Peter says we are sojourners here on earth. Our home is with our God. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed [us] into the kingdom of the Son of His love (Colossians 1:13). America, or whatever country we may live in, is not our home. This world is not our home. God bless America and the freedom we have everyday to worship and serve Him. But America is not our home and it is not the best nation that will ever exist. Under David and Solomon, Israel was as close to a Theocracy as they would ever get. But a Theocracy is the government we are waiting for, the one that God describes through Isaiah. For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of [His] government and peace [There will be] no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this (Isaiah 9:6-7).

If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory (Colossians 3:1-4).

Like Abraham, who waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker [is] God (Hebrews 11:10).

Sojourner, do you feel at home? We are not at home here in this world. We are looking for a New City, the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:2), whose builder and maker is God. But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn [who are] registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than [that of] Abel (Hebrews 12:22-24).

Article submitted Friday, April 17, 2009 & read 389 times.

Leave your comments through World Wide Bible Studies:

» left by Teresa^(1,656) (2 years 292 days ago.)

Hi Brian, Thank you for your faithfulness to share the word which God brings to your heart. I am always encouraged as I read the word of God throughout each devotional. Keep them coming :-) Lord bless you! Teresa
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» left by Brian Farrell⁽²⁴⁶⁾ (2 years 291 days ago.)

Thanks for everything, Teresa. May the Lord pour out His blessing and glory on you.

Brian

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» left by Swapna Nanda (2 years 292 days ago.)

Hello Brian,

Thank you for this wonderful article that encourages, inspires to have a closer walk with God. Yes it is true this world is not our eternal home. we need to remember that and live accordingly. Thank you once again for writting.

with regards,

Swapna
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» left by Brian Farrell⁽²⁴⁶⁾ (2 years 291 days ago.)

Thank you for the kind affirmation. Oh, the riches of our inheritance in Christ! Come quickly Lord Jesus!

Brian

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» left by Bart from Australia (2 years 236 days ago.)

Thank you Brian,

It is reassuring to know that this world isn't our final home. As Joshua, we are to serve the Lord, and as Abraham, look for that city, which will be our home. Thank you for the encouragement.

Every blessing be yours,

Bart
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» left by Brian Farrell⁽²⁴⁶⁾ (2 years 234 days ago.)

Thank you, Bart.

Maranatha, Lord Jesus. Come quickly, Lord!

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