Monday, August 9, 2010

The Power or The Person

Joshua (Jehovah saves) had a unique life:

One of twelve spies sent to scope out the “promised” land.

One of two spies who returned with an opinion that their God was bigger than any enemy.

Selected as the leader to follow Moses in leading God's people.

Convinced a rebellious people to march around the walls of a city. Not only to march around the city but to march around the city for seven days straight with seven times on the last day.

Godly until his death at age 110.

Why was Joshua unique amongst his peers? Why did God choose to use him to conquer the promised land and bring His people into their place?

Let's take a look behind the scenes to see if we can find a clue.

The nation of Israel was in the vast wilderness. Shortly after receiving the 10 Commandments and witnessing the events surrounding that, they are now traveling on toward the promised land.

We now pick up the story in Exodus 33:7-11

Now Moses used to take the tent and pitch it outside the camp, a good distance from the camp, and he called it the tent of meeting And everyone who sought the LORD would go out to the tent of meeting which was outside the camp.


And it came about, whenever Moses went out to the tent, that all the people would arise and stand, each at the entrance of his tent, and gaze after Moses until he entered the tent.


Whenever Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would descend and stand at the entrance of the tent; and the LORD would speak with Moses.

When all the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance of the tent, all the people would arise and worship, each at the entrance of his tent.


Thus the LORD used to speak to Moses face to face, just as a man speaks to his friend When Moses returned to the camp, his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, would not depart from the tent.

Isn't that just how the church of Jesus is today? People long to see the manifestation of a powerful, loving God but there are but few that really long to personally know that same God!

And where do we find Joshua? Apparently, Joshua was already in the place of meeting when Moses arrived and he remained there after Moses left.

So where are you? Are you longing to see the manifestations of God or are you longing to know God? What does your daily or weekly schedule indicate about what you long for?

On the day when Jesus was crucified, the thick curtain that separated the holy place in God's temple from the holy of holies where God personally dwelled was split in two from top to bottom opening God's presence to all.

The invitation has been issued. How will you respond? Will you continue to stand outside your “tent” looking for the manifestation or will you accept the invitation to know Him personally?

2 comments:

J said...

Reminds me of one of my favorite Rita Springer songs, "Phenomenom."

The song just talks about being so over the seeking of the thunder and rain and the pharisaical pursuit of the power gifts for personal gain in exchange for finding the Savior in the secret place.

thanks, Jim!

Real Life said...

Well said. The amazing thing is that when we seek the "power" it "takes wings". When we seek the relationship, the power follows.