From Pastor Andrew’s Desk
Greetings FCCB’ers!!
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Greetings FCCB’ers!
I do not want August to go away….but it feels as though I am in a losing battle as the days roll along to the fall :). I can at least say I am truly grateful for summers in New England….they live up to all the hype! We absolutely love it. I feel as though the family still has a few more Stiles Pond trips in us and I look forward to watching a number of my friends square off next week in the championship series of Boxford softball. The mighty Titans and the Chiefs will be playing in the finals! This Sunday will be the last Sunday of VBS. I praise God for all the the amazing ways He’s been at work in the lives of the children over the last four weeks! I also praise God for so many of you who have stepped up to assist in teaching the children,
helping with games,
inviting friends,
building the cave (Ramona and team),
helping with transitions, etc.
We praise God for Beth Santarpio’s vision VBS this summer. It would not have happened this year without Beth’s persistence and belief in the Lord’s work through VBS, despite many obstacles. The reset to Sunday mornings has been absolutely right for this summer. We thank the Lord for that direction and we thank you, Beth, for listening and persevering! Join us this Sunday for the grand finale at 10:00am of the kids dancing and singing again and “Caving Tom” leading the charge!
This Sunday we continue our Joshua series. As a recap, we looked at Joshua 8 last week and saw how the Lord spoke courage into Joshua after a rousing defeat in Chapter 7 to the city of Ai. The Lord called Joshua back to the same battlefield of defeat to speak great confidence in him to persevere. In chapter 9, the city of Gibeon. out of fear of being overthrown, tries to deceive Israel by claiming they are from a far off land. Yet, Israel finds out this deception and requires the city of Gibeon to be in servitude to them. But the Gibeonites had also seen enough that they were really ready to serve in that way. They wanted to associated with the God of Israel. This is the backdrop of Chapter 10. Chapter 10 begins with King Adoni-Zedek, the king of Jerusalem who is alarmed when he hears that Ai was totally destroyed by Israel (v. 2). This alarm moves into action as he speaks to five other surrounding kings (v. 4) and rounds them up to attack Gibeon
“because it has made peace with Joshua and the Israelites” (v. 4).
It is interesting that we see the attack mode as a common response to fear and alarm. How often do we see this approach today? People feel fearful and alarmed so they lash out. May this not be said of us in our lives! May we truly be people who seek the Lord and act in accordance with God’s leading, even when alarmed and fearful.
“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.” 2 Cor. 10:3. Joshua was led by the Lord – the other kings were led by the flesh. So the five kings moved their troops against Gibeon to attack (v. 5). Then in v. 6 the Gibeonites cried out to Israel to help. Joshua took his whole army and best fighting men (v. 7) as the Lord reminds Joshua to “not be afraid of them…..”
This great warrior needed to be reminded, as we do, to not fear. Even the boldest of us need these great and wonderful reminders from God every step of the way. The Lord said,
“do not be afraid of them; I have given them into your hand. Not one of them will be able to withstand you” (v. 8).
The Lord is calling Joshua to step out in faith, clarifying that God is ultimately in control and will work it out according to His plan and power. How relieving to know that God is truly sovereign. There are many things that do not make sense in life. At times it seems like a losing battle. But we must be reminded that God is on the throne and is always at work redeeming, teaching, molding, strengthening His people and accomplishing His purposes. Our job is to simply step out in faith and trust. He takes care of the rest….thanks be to God.
Joshua and the men marched all night and took them by surprise (v. 9). The Lord led the battle and fought on behalf of Joshua and Israel. (v. 10-11). Then in verse 12, Joshua prays incredibly boldly… “sun, stand still over Gibeon and you, moon, over the Valley of Ajalon…”
Joshua, doesn’t this seem a bit presumptious?!! Ha, Joshua didn’t know what God would do with this request, but he prayed boldly. Do we pray this way? I know at times I can get pretty small in my prayers. I try to measure in my mind what God will and won’t do and end up praying accordingly. Who knows what He will do? Let’s pray boldly and watch Him work! Hey, we might even see the sun and moon stand still? Speaking of that, did anyone hear about an event this week involving the sun and moon? If so, keep me posted :). I find it amazing that the text this week falls on a week with a total eclipse of the sun. How cool!
In conclusion, the Lord listens to Joshua’s requests and grants it! The sun stood still and the moon stopped. Amazing. Let’s pray and seek the Lord boldly and step out in faith as He leads. One never knows what we will witness. It is so much better to be in the ‘game’ with the Lord than to watch from the sidelines. See ya this Sunday!!
Blessings, Pastor Andrew P.S. We will have a baptism this Sunday of Joshua and Jordain Reed’s daughter- so please join us for this also! |
