Joshua 14, Psalm 148, 1 Thessalonians 5

Joshua divided up the land among the tribes for their inheritance west of the Jordan before they had conquered it. What faith! Not only that, but Caleb, the other spy from forty years earlier, who along with Joshua believed and trusted the Lord, wanted to inherit (and thus fight to conquer) the part of the land famous for its giants. And he was 85 years old! These men are certainly "Heroes of the Faith" for me. When I face my "giants" I'll remember them.

How do stars and waters, sea creatures and cattle, hail, snow and wind praise the Lord? Through obedience. Doing what they were created to do. My ultimate praise to God is also obedience. Even if I'm afraid, I will follow the example of Caleb.

In case we wonder what obedience looks like, Paul tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5. After assuring us of the ultimate triumph, he gives exhortations for right living. Living this way will bring praise to the Lord.

Joshua 13, Psalm 147, 1 Thessalonians 4

Joshua was old and had fought many battles for control of cities in the Promised Land. But God said, "There remains very much land yet to be conquered." I wonder how it felt to hear those words and know they were true. Yet I do hear them every day. "So much to do and so little time." The victories of my past are, indeed, past. I have to look forward. God also told Joshua to go ahead and divide the land among the tribes so they would know where their inheritance lay. Chapter 13 details what had already been conquered east of the Jordan.

Seeing at least part of the dream already come true and settled surely must have motivated the warriors to keep fighting for the rest. So take time to savor your victories thus far--but not too much. Remember them, then move on. Go take the rest of your inheritance.

"The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those whose hope is His mercy." (Psalm 147:11) This is the key to victory and ultimate peace. It is the Lord who does all the great things listed in this Psalm, not a man or woman. (See verse 10) We can trust Him to provide. And then we need to praise HIm for having done so.

If we want to know how to live in the "land" the Lord has given us, how to act as occupiers, 1 Thessalonians 4 tells us.

1. Remain sexually pure. In those days and in these, it is exceedingly difficult to stay pure. Not only does temptation abound, but so does social acceptance of any sort of deviant behavior. This point is crucial, however.
2. Lead a quiet life. Work to support yourself and love your fellow Christians. This means minding your own business! Paul did actually say those words.
3. Keep the end in mind. Peace comes from knowing how the story ends.

Joshua knew how it would end, David knew, and Paul knew. We do, too.