The Pilgrim Path---Joshua--- chapter one (4--27--20)

The "highlight" is upon verses 8 and 9:

"This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."

SUCCESS

Wow---The Book of Joshua begins with a funeral. Not just any guy has died. Israel's greatest leader for decades has left the scene: Moses...Who fills those sandals?

The Nation of Israel is on the brink of crossing into the Promised Land---new challenges---new opportunities---new enemies---new troubles---new blessings?

The LORD tells Moses' assistant, "It's not over"---But there is a significant "key" to SUCCESS. You caught it, right? This Book of the Law. The LORD was saying, "Do what my word tells you"---Now ask yourself, "How much Scripture did Joshua have?" Shocking---isn't it? Not anything compared to the "Library of The Holy Spirit" that we possess (but the LORD may do a lot with those five Books of Moses).

--- "Success"--- when you boil it down? As far as Heaven is concerned---It's living Life God's Way...Jesus said in Matthew 16:26, "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?" Soul-business cared for---life lived out of the results--- of that significant transaction...

---"Undefiled"---As Jim Elliot used to say, "I've traded what I cannot keep---for that which I can never lose"---First Peter 1:4 "...an inheritance that is imperishable, UNDEFILED, and unfading, kept in heaven for you..."

---"Christ--Centered" existence---this is what drives you---you become moved as the Apostle Paul, to think and live, "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain" Philippians 1:21.

---"Eternity" is your Focus---In this world--- but living for the next: Second Corinthians 4: 18, "...as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal." This is "why" the souls of people begin to matter: Second Corinthians 5: 20, 21, "Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."

---"Sacrifice"---We understand the Lord Jesus was a sacrifice for us---We become Living sacrifices for Him. Romans 12: 1, "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship." From John Flavel: What is a Christian, but one dedicated to the Lord? Blessed exchange! Christ says; "All I have is yours", and we say: "Though my person is vile, and not worthy of being accepted, but such as it is, it is yours. My soul with all and every faculty; my body, and every member of it; my gifts, time, and all my talents are yours."

---"Sanctified"---Second Timothy 2: 21, "Therefore, If anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work." We know we fall sometimes. We ask the Lord's forgiveness for Jesus' sake. The blood of the God-Man Jesus cleanses us. We recall however, that we are here as "set apart souls" for the Master---sanctified to serve...this is hope---joy---peace. Actually, it is success...

"This world deserves nothing but the outer court of my soul." Samuel Rutherford, Extracts from Letters

Rock of ages, cleft for me,

Let me hide myself in Thee.

Let the water and the Blood,

From Thy wounded side which flowed,

Be of sin the double cure,

Save from wrath and make me pure.

Could my tears forever flow,

Could my zeal no languor know,

These for sin could not atone;

Thou must save, and Thou alone.

In my hand no price I bring;

Simply to Thy cross I cling.

Augustus Toplady (1740--1778)

Grace & Peace in Jesus Our LORD, Pastor Jason