1 00:00:02,680 --> 00:00:13,319 Speaker 1: Life Audio Hello. Thank you for listening to your daily 2 00:00:13,360 --> 00:00:16,780 Speaker 1: Bible verse, the podcast that examines one verse each day 3 00:00:17,260 --> 00:00:19,600 Speaker 1: to learn more about God and His will for us. 4 00:00:20,300 --> 00:00:22,800 Speaker 1: I'm your host, Jennifer Sodry, and after this short word 5 00:00:22,820 --> 00:00:25,770 Speaker 1: from our sponsors, we'll continue with our series, Courage for 6 00:00:25,810 --> 00:00:29,310 Speaker 1: the Journey, Trusting God One Step at a Time, with 7 00:00:29,350 --> 00:00:45,100 Speaker 1: a discussion on today's Bible verse. Joshua 23, 14. Today's 8 00:00:45,140 --> 00:00:49,379 Speaker 1: Bible verse is Joshua 23, 14. Now I am about 9 00:00:49,420 --> 00:00:51,500 Speaker 1: to go the way of all the earth. You know 10 00:00:51,540 --> 00:00:54,660 Speaker 1: with all your heart and soul that none of all 11 00:00:54,700 --> 00:00:58,120 Speaker 1: the good promises the Lord your God gave you has failed. 12 00:00:58,900 --> 00:01:03,410 Speaker 1: Every promise has been fulfilled. Not one has failed. A 13 00:01:03,470 --> 00:01:07,450 Speaker 1: person's last words carry a great deal of weight, whether 14 00:01:07,690 --> 00:01:10,660 Speaker 1: they're about to pass into glory, launch a child from 15 00:01:10,680 --> 00:01:13,840 Speaker 1: the home, or pass on an important role to someone else. 16 00:01:14,680 --> 00:01:19,020 Speaker 1: Years ago, I experienced significant anxiety as I considered all 17 00:01:19,100 --> 00:01:23,350 Speaker 1: our daughter might need to successfully navigate college while maintaining 18 00:01:23,410 --> 00:01:27,470 Speaker 1: her faith. Nearing her high school graduation date, I began 19 00:01:27,620 --> 00:01:31,910 Speaker 1: analyzing countless conversations and situations as I wrestled with my 20 00:01:31,970 --> 00:01:36,710 Speaker 1: insecurities and failings as a mom. Sadly, there were times 21 00:01:36,870 --> 00:01:41,869 Speaker 1: when I pushed too hard, allowed laziness or busyness to 22 00:01:42,030 --> 00:01:47,030 Speaker 1: override family devotions, or, more upsetting, when I failed to 23 00:01:47,190 --> 00:01:52,880 Speaker 1: accurately reflect Christ. I wonder if Joshua ever endured similar emotions. 24 00:01:53,780 --> 00:01:57,070 Speaker 1: Based on what we read in scripture, it doesn't appear so. 25 00:01:57,450 --> 00:02:00,790 Speaker 1: In fact, he consistently did the hard right thing, even 26 00:02:00,830 --> 00:02:07,460 Speaker 1: when his obedience meant nearly standing alone. Exodus 33 verse 27 00:02:07,460 --> 00:02:12,000 Speaker 1: 11 suggests how. According to that verse, Joshua often accompanied 28 00:02:12,120 --> 00:02:15,360 Speaker 1: Moses to the quote-unquote tent of meeting where he most 29 00:02:15,460 --> 00:02:20,630 Speaker 1: consistently connected with God. And Joshua remained there after Moses 30 00:02:20,910 --> 00:02:24,520 Speaker 1: returned to the camp. While the Bible doesn't specifically tell 31 00:02:24,560 --> 00:02:28,250 Speaker 1: us why, it seems he wanted to linger in the 32 00:02:28,290 --> 00:02:34,290 Speaker 1: Lord's presence, to remain close to God. Now, in Joshua 23, 33 00:02:34,290 --> 00:02:38,550 Speaker 1: he's inviting his people to also prioritize their relationship with 34 00:02:38,570 --> 00:02:42,530 Speaker 1: the Almighty because that is how they'll survive in this 35 00:02:42,610 --> 00:02:47,700 Speaker 1: new land. And so he highlights the promises, presence, power, 36 00:02:47,780 --> 00:02:51,180 Speaker 1: and faithfulness of God. Notice how in today's verse, he 37 00:02:51,360 --> 00:02:57,089 Speaker 1: reminded the Israelites of how they'd personally experienced the Lord's faithfulness. 38 00:02:57,810 --> 00:03:01,090 Speaker 1: You know in your hearts and souls, he said. To 39 00:03:01,110 --> 00:03:04,590 Speaker 1: the ancient Hebrew, the heart represented more than how they felt. 40 00:03:04,790 --> 00:03:07,350 Speaker 1: This referred to the core of who a person was, 41 00:03:07,730 --> 00:03:12,170 Speaker 1: their emotions, will, and thoughts. The people knew in the 42 00:03:12,330 --> 00:03:16,370 Speaker 1: core of their being that not one word the Lord 43 00:03:16,510 --> 00:03:22,800 Speaker 1: had spoken had failed. Every one had been fulfilled. This 44 00:03:22,860 --> 00:03:26,740 Speaker 1: reiterates the truth recorded in Isaiah 55, verses 10 through 11, 45 00:03:26,740 --> 00:03:30,000 Speaker 1: which reads, As the rain and the snow come down 46 00:03:30,060 --> 00:03:32,899 Speaker 1: from heaven and do not return to it without watering 47 00:03:32,940 --> 00:03:35,760 Speaker 1: the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that 48 00:03:35,810 --> 00:03:39,090 Speaker 1: it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, 49 00:03:39,730 --> 00:03:42,370 Speaker 1: so is my word that goes out from my mouth. 50 00:03:42,650 --> 00:03:46,630 Speaker 1: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish 51 00:03:46,870 --> 00:03:49,970 Speaker 1: what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I 52 00:03:50,030 --> 00:03:53,470 Speaker 1: sent it. In other words, God's faithfulness to fulfill each 53 00:03:53,550 --> 00:03:57,750 Speaker 1: of his promises is as guaranteed as the earth's water cycle. 54 00:03:58,350 --> 00:04:03,100 Speaker 1: Everything he says will occur does. Finally, I'm struck by 55 00:04:03,300 --> 00:04:07,980 Speaker 1: three interconnected phrases. Of all the good words he spoke 56 00:04:08,280 --> 00:04:14,390 Speaker 1: concerning them and for them, because he was, is, and 57 00:04:14,630 --> 00:04:19,869 Speaker 1: always will be for his children. As Romans 8.28 makes clear, 58 00:04:19,930 --> 00:04:24,630 Speaker 1: he is always, always working all things for our good 59 00:04:24,870 --> 00:04:27,130 Speaker 1: and his glory. So what does that mean for us? 60 00:04:27,730 --> 00:04:31,050 Speaker 1: For those presently in a position similar to Joshua's, it 61 00:04:31,089 --> 00:04:34,110 Speaker 1: allows us to relax, knowing that the Lord is bigger 62 00:04:34,170 --> 00:04:39,100 Speaker 1: than our most noble efforts and our greatest mistakes. Most 63 00:04:39,130 --> 00:04:43,000 Speaker 1: of us will never pass the figurative baton perfectly, but 64 00:04:43,040 --> 00:04:47,520 Speaker 1: the ultimate results of whatever we're passing on aren't our responsibility. 65 00:04:48,140 --> 00:04:52,260 Speaker 1: God is more than capable to bring beauty and life 66 00:04:52,460 --> 00:04:56,300 Speaker 1: from our attempts and human failings. All we can do 67 00:04:56,360 --> 00:04:59,940 Speaker 1: is follow God to our best ability, trusting that by 68 00:05:00,050 --> 00:05:05,150 Speaker 1: His grace, that will be enough. For those accepting the 69 00:05:05,350 --> 00:05:08,250 Speaker 1: baton or remaining on earth after a loved one passes 70 00:05:08,350 --> 00:05:11,630 Speaker 1: and feeling the weight of whatever that leaves us to 71 00:05:11,730 --> 00:05:15,800 Speaker 1: carry again, we can anchor our confidence not in our 72 00:05:15,839 --> 00:05:19,140 Speaker 1: ability to stand firm in our faith, make the best decisions, 73 00:05:19,700 --> 00:05:22,600 Speaker 1: or even to maintain our grip on that baton, but 74 00:05:22,740 --> 00:05:26,539 Speaker 1: rather in the goodness and faithfulness of God. He is 75 00:05:26,700 --> 00:05:29,520 Speaker 1: more than able to accomplish His will, including the parts 76 00:05:29,580 --> 00:05:33,520 Speaker 1: that apply to us, our loved ones, and our organizations. 77 00:05:34,420 --> 00:05:37,099 Speaker 1: If you find yourself struggling with the unknowns ahead, I 78 00:05:37,180 --> 00:05:41,590 Speaker 1: encourage you to follow Joshua's example in Joshua 23. In fact, 79 00:05:41,710 --> 00:05:45,090 Speaker 1: I encourage you to read the full chapter, making note 80 00:05:45,170 --> 00:05:48,690 Speaker 1: of all the ways and times we see God's divine 81 00:05:48,950 --> 00:05:53,690 Speaker 1: attributes and acts highlighted. Then take some time to reflect 82 00:05:53,790 --> 00:05:56,240 Speaker 1: on ways he's been faithful to fulfill his good word 83 00:05:56,450 --> 00:05:59,480 Speaker 1: in your life and the lives of your people as well. 84 00:06:00,200 --> 00:06:04,040 Speaker 1: That is how we experience courage for the journey and 85 00:06:04,160 --> 00:06:09,960 Speaker 1: deepen our trust for each step. Let's pray. Holy Father, 86 00:06:10,779 --> 00:06:15,010 Speaker 1: increase our love for you, our desire to connect with you, 87 00:06:15,150 --> 00:06:20,330 Speaker 1: purify our souls, increase our desire for your truth, increase 88 00:06:20,470 --> 00:06:24,890 Speaker 1: our desire to live according to your will. We know 89 00:06:24,930 --> 00:06:28,839 Speaker 1: the closer we walk with you, the better our lives go. 90 00:06:29,300 --> 00:06:31,820 Speaker 1: Not that you always make everything easy, not that you 91 00:06:31,900 --> 00:06:35,560 Speaker 1: always give us everything we want, but you have promised 92 00:06:35,640 --> 00:06:39,040 Speaker 1: to do what is for our best because you are 93 00:06:39,080 --> 00:06:46,880 Speaker 1: a good faithful, kind, loving, attentive, and oh so gracious Father. 94 00:06:47,300 --> 00:06:51,480 Speaker 1: Will not you, who freely gave us your Son that 95 00:06:51,580 --> 00:06:56,680 Speaker 1: we might live, also give us all things, including the 96 00:06:56,800 --> 00:07:02,240 Speaker 1: strength and the courage to live more aligned with you? 97 00:07:02,900 --> 00:07:06,080 Speaker 1: But Lord, as we try, as we do our best, 98 00:07:07,040 --> 00:07:09,940 Speaker 1: to connect with you, to listen for your voice, to 99 00:07:10,060 --> 00:07:12,940 Speaker 1: follow how you lead. And when we stumble, when we 100 00:07:12,980 --> 00:07:16,060 Speaker 1: mess up, when we temporarily give in to our pride 101 00:07:16,140 --> 00:07:18,930 Speaker 1: or insecurity or our fear, whatever is getting in the way, 102 00:07:19,670 --> 00:07:24,570 Speaker 1: may that be an opportunity to experience your grace, to 103 00:07:24,710 --> 00:07:29,470 Speaker 1: rest in your grace ever deeper. Teach us to turn 104 00:07:29,570 --> 00:07:34,930 Speaker 1: to you when we're afraid, when we're acting prideful, when 105 00:07:34,970 --> 00:07:39,570 Speaker 1: we disobey. in all things, because it is you who 106 00:07:39,630 --> 00:07:43,420 Speaker 1: give us strength. We love you and we praise you. 107 00:07:43,440 --> 00:07:45,720 Speaker 1: And it's in the name of your Son, our Savior, 108 00:07:45,780 --> 00:07:47,570 Speaker 1: Jesus Christ, that we pray. Amen.