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Topic: Don’t Forget!
[DCLM Daily Manna 16 April 2020 Daily Devotional by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi]
Text: Joshua 23:1-13
1 And it came to pass a long time after that the Lord had given rest unto Israel from all their enemies round about, that Joshua waxed old and stricken in age.
2 And Joshua called for all Israel, and for their elders, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers, and said unto them, I am old and stricken in age:
3 And ye have seen all that the Lord your God hath done unto all these nations because of you; for the Lord your God is he that hath fought for you.
4 Behold, I have divided unto you by lot these nations that remain, to be an inheritance for your tribes, from Jordan, with all the nations that I have cut off, even unto the great sea westward.
5 And the Lord your God, he shall expel them from before you, and drive them from out of your sight; and ye shall possess their land, as the Lord your God hath promised unto you.
6 Be ye therefore very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left;
7 That ye come not among these nations, these that remain among you; neither make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause to swear by them, neither serve them, nor bow yourselves unto them:
8 But cleave unto the Lord your God, as ye have done unto this day.
9 For the Lord hath driven out from before you great nations and strong: but as for you, no man hath been able to stand before you unto this day.
10 One man of you shall chase a thousand: for the Lord your God, he it is that fighteth for you, as he hath promised you.
11 Take good heed therefore unto yourselves, that ye love the Lord your God.
12 Else if ye do in any wise go back, and cleave unto the remnant of these nations, even these that remain among you, and shall make marriages with them, and go in unto them, and they to you:
13 Know for a certainty that the Lord your God will no more drive out any of these nations from before you; but they shall be snares and traps unto you, and scourges in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until ye perish from off this good land which the Lord your God hath given you.
KEY VERSE: “And I have given you a land for which ye did not labour, and cities which ye built not, and ye dwell in them; of the vineyards and oliveyards which ye planted not do ye eat.” – (Joshua 24:13)
MESSAGE:
It is often said that those who fail to learn the lessons of history stand the danger of repeating its mistakes. Avoiding the mistakes of history then requires a constant remembrance of the events of history. Remembrance of past events triggered by sober or joyous moments tend to make us appreciate some pleasant memories or learn from the unpleasant ones, especially from missteps.
Also Read: Open Heaven 16 April 2020 – The Vessel God Uses
As revealed in our passage, God understands the power of history and its effect on people. For Israel, it was necessary to remind them again how God graciously and miraculously brought them from slavery into freedom; from a ‘no-people’ to a great-people status; how He delivered them from Egyptian bondage; His matchless providence throughout their journey in the wilderness and how He brought them to possess the Promised Land. God instructed Joshua to recount and remind the people of His good dealings with them so they would learn to love and serve Him all their days.
The text today throws challenge to us. The Almighty has done gracious things for us; He saved us from sins and made us His own children; He grants us protection and provides for us. Indeed, God has been faithful. Little wonder the psalmist in adoration, said, “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases: (Psalm 103:1-3).
We should always count our blessings, appreciate His goodness and serve this gracious and good God all the days of our lives. That is the secret of receiving more from Him!
Thought For The Day: A thoughtful person is a thankful person.
The Bible In One Year: Acts 20-21
