Jesus is the cornerstone that was rejected in Verse 42. The false prophets and the Jews refused to follow Christ, and this was Jesus warning them about their choice. So, while Jesus is most definitely the solid rock we trust in, we have to trust the King for more than what he can do for us. We as believers have to begin to learn to trust the requirement he places on our fruitfulness. I was a bit confused about the stone. If the cornerstone represents Christ, why are we either broken or crushed? Was this metaphor for the Pharisees or for believers? Other translations use the word stumble instead of fall in Verse 45. And while I would love to pretend like the verse was not for believers. I would love to tell you that the Christian walk will not require you to be broken. But whether you fall on Christ because of trust or whether you stumble along the way, our flesh will be broken. If brokenness is not an experience you are willing to experience, you can't expect the Word of God to work in your life. God is eternally pure. He can't fellowship with the wickedness that is innate in us. If you don't come to the cornerstone to be broken, then your flesh will never be surrendered fully to Christ.
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“Your wives, your children and your livestock may stay in the land that Moses gave you east of the Jordan, but all your fighting men, ready for battle, must cross over ahead of your fellow Israelites. You are to help them until the Lord gives them rest, as he has done for you, and until they too have taken possession of the land the Lord your God is giving them. After that, you may go back and occupy your own land, which Moses the servant of the Lord gave you east of the Jordan toward the sunrise.” Then they answered Joshua, “Whatever you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go.”
Joshua 1:14-16 NIVAs you move to the next level in life you will inevitably be faced with tension. Progression doesn't come without the concerted effort to move from the place you are to the place you want to be. When we look at the journey of Joshua, we can see that God began preparing the young leader and his army for war. God is preparing us too! Our declaration must be like the armed Israelites, "Whatever you command I will do. Wherever you go, I follow." To me the part of the first chapter that is telling is in verse 14. The men where instructed to leave everything they had in the hands of God as they went to possess the land. I'm sure that we can all see that our transition may rearrange the landscape of our friendships and relationships but I don't believe that's why the men were instructed to do this. They returned to their possessions and wives on the east of Jordan. So why did God instruct them to leave it all behind? Focus. The men were going into the same land they feared for years. Like many of us when we move in faith to do God's will, they were going into uncharted territory. God instructed them to leave all they had so as they navigated the war they could do so without any distractions. As we embark on possessing our purpose, it is time to lay aside our need of anyone's approval other than the Father's. As you suit up for battle you will have to step out of your comfort zones. This time is not a green light for you to mistreat those around you. But it is meant to be a time of focus on the direction of God. Focus all of your attention on God's Master Plan for your life. Begin to make the tough choices to work on your vision instead of hanging out. You may have to take some time away from tasks that don't align with what God has instructed you to do. And as you make these tough decisions, have faith that your Heavenly Father will carry you into a new place where the reward is great. I'm sure the fighting men of Israel were saddened to leave behind their comforts and family. But how much more fulfilled were they upon returning with the good news that God had delivered the Promised Land into their hands. The things and people that you may have to rearrange in your priorities will look at your life and see that God was moving. Your focus on your future will be a testament to God's direction. |
WHATEVER THINGS ARE LOVELY...Get inspiration for your daily life from SFB as she gives her testimony and speaks about her faith. Are You Ready for More?Have you come to a place in life where you recognized that you need more? Christ has already paid the price for you to have a life with greater purpose.
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