Author: dianafmurphy@gmail.com

“The men of Israel sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the Lord” (Joshua 9:14).

“And when the Israelites heard that they (Reubenites, Gadites, half-tribe of Manasseh, verse 10) had built the altar on the border of Canaan at Geliloth near the Jordan on the Israelite side, the whole assembly of Israel gathered at Shiloh to go to war against them” (Joshua 22:11-12).

 

I just finished reading the book of Joshua and noticed the difference in the way the Israelites responded to the two events mentioned above.  The first event was the ruse dreamed up by the people of Gibeon when they realized God was helping the Israelites take over the land. The Gibeonites pretended to be from a far country and asked to make a peace treaty with the Israelites.  Apparently, they didn’t want to go to war and risk their lives. So, they dressed in old, worn-out clothes and carried stale and moldy provisions with them to trick the men of Israel.

The Scripture says, “the men of Israel sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the Lord.” Joshua made a peace treaty with them, but in three days they learned the truth.  The Gibeonites were their neighbors and they’d been tricked!

Fast forward to Joshua, chapter 22.  The Reubenites, Gadites, and half-tribe of Manasseh had been given land on the east side of the Jordan River, but before they could settle there, they were required to help the other tribes take possession of the land on the west side of the river.  After they had accomplished that, Joshua blessed them and sent them back to settle in their land on the east side of the Jordan. Before they crossed the river, they “built an imposing altar there by the Jordan” (Joshua 22:10).

Their brothers’ response: get ready for war! Without finding out why the two and a half tribes had built this “imposing altar” they took off, ready to fight.

The reason the altar was built is found in verses 24-29. They knew most of the Israelite tribes were on the west side of the Jordan River and future generations might question what the Reubenites and Gadites had to do with the Lord. The altar was built as a witness between the tribes of the west side and the tribes of the east so that future generations would know that all the tribes worshipped the One and only God. It was not to be a place of worship. That was at the Tent of Meeting in Shiloh. Rather, it was a place of remembrance and commitment. They named the altar “A Witness Between Us that the Lord is God.”

The men of Israel put down their weapons and praised God for the faithfulness of the Reubenites, Gadites, and half-tribe of Manasseh.

I think there is a lesson for us today. The leaders of the Israelites were quite willing to accept those strangers and accept their lie as truth, without ever inquiring of the Lord.  But when they questioned the actions of their own brothers, they were ready to fight them.  Later, they learned the truth.

Finding truth isn’t always easy. God is truth so we start there.

“See how I love your precepts; preserve my life, O Lord, according to your love. All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal” (Psalm 119:159-160). 

“Tell the priests who carry the ark of the covenant: When you reach the edge of the Jordan’s waters, go and stand in the river” (Joshua 3:8).

I can only imagine what that experience must have looked like and how those priests must have felt to take that first step into the flooded Jordan River. The Scripture says “as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, the water from upstream stopped flowing. It piled up in a heap a great distance away.” Was there a sound as the water piled in a heap? What does a “heap” of water look like anyway?

We are not told much about this miracle except that it happened and the whole nation of Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground as the priests who carried the ark stood firm in the middle of the river on dry ground! God demonstrated His mighty power and the people obeyed. What might have happened if the priests had refused to take that first step? The nation would not have reached the promised land. The priests were to step out first and then to stand firm.

The Apostle Peter tells the early Christians and later Christians, as well. “You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9). The saints of God, Christians, are a priesthood. Jesus has commanded us to go and make disciples (Matthew 28:19). We live in a nation of lost people who are waiting for us to take that first step into the Jordan. I’m not sure what that first step might be, and it may be different for different people. We all know those who are lost without Jesus. Could it be they are watching and waiting for us to take that first step to show them the way? Are we willing to leave our comfort zone to show someone we care about their soul?

I was reminded as I read about the priests carrying the ark of the covenant into the Jordan River that they were carrying God’s law and the Seat of God’s very Presence. We, as Christians carry God’s word and the Holy Spirit within us. We are the priesthood that God uses today to bring the lost into the Kingdom. May we be found faithful!

God loves the lost so much He died for them. Am I willing to share that news with them?

“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1 John 3:1 NIV)

As I looked for a “love” verse to send to my grandchildren this morning, I chose the above verse from 1 John. What a reminder of the greatest love one can know and the greatest measure of love one can know. The word “lavished” is translated “given” or “bestowed” in other translations, but I like lavished. It reminds me of when children are allowed to pour syrup over their pancake, they usually pour a lot! They lavishly cover that pancake until it floats in the syrup!

Isn’t that what God does for us? He not only loves us unconditionally, but he loves us abundantly. God, the Creator, became God, the Savior. Our rebellion didn’t stop His love, but our repentance enables us to experience His love. Our obedience makes us His child. It is my prayer you are a child of God. He longs for everyone to become His child. We can love Him because He first loved us. If you, like me, received no Valentines today, don’t despair. Read the book of First John. It is a Valentine from the heart of God through the words written by the Apostle John.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

One evening last week I felt a sore throat coming on and that achy feeling was setting in. In my mind I knew it would be a couple days at least of resting and gargling and hoping for the best.  I cancelled my sub jobs and decided I would pass the time with Hallmark movies and chicken soup.  Alas! The next day brought nausea and my movies and chicken soup became more like blanket and bucket for two days: too sick to even look at a movie!

Thank God, I can eat again and feeling a little better each day. Yes, I tested positive and am glad to say my isolation time is over. I’m looking forward to a haircut tomorrow. And the weather is predicted to be warmer. Maybe in a few days more of this snow will melt. It’s been almost a month since the ground was bare.

Sickness teaches us we are not in control of our lives. Not really. We are all dependent upon God for our very breath and we ought not forget that. Also, I was reminded of the many folks who deal with chronic sickness and pain every day of their lives. How thankful I should be for good health and the physical abilities I enjoy every day! In my gratefulness I bring many names of those with health needs before the Heavenly Father in prayer. He is the Healer!

“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything ese” (Acts 17:24-25).

At Christmas my daughters and I put this puzzle together. It was challenging enough to be fun and we finished it in just a few days. Looking at all those doors prompted my mind to think about what may be behind those doors.

We have a new year ahead of us. There will be new experiences, new friends, new problems, new opportunities, and new obstacles. Each new day is like opening another door and stepping into whatever is on the other side. We cannot see ahead of time what lies beyond the door but thank God He is faithful and will walk through every door with us.

Later, as I reflected on the idea of all those doors, I thought maybe the doors represent “opportunities”. Maybe it is up to me to decide which door to choose. Some of the doors were painted with bright colors and adorned with flowers. Others looked a bit drab and uninviting. Some doors required walking up steps to reach them while others were street level.

This past year I took time to take a few meals to someone I didn’t know very well. She had broken her leg and was in a cast for quite some time. I would drop off a meal, spend a few minutes talking with her, and after several weeks we were becoming the best of friends. She now goes to church with me, and we enjoy our time spent together. If I had not stepped through the door and prepared a little extra food for someone who needed help, I would not have a new friend!

I have always been a bit of an introvert. Hmmm.  Okay, I’m a lot introvert. It’s hard for me to step into new ventures on my own. How many wonderful opportunities have I missed because of my fears? Perhaps many. Not knowing what’s on the other side of the door can be scary.

And then there’s the decision about which door or opportunity to choose. We can’t choose them all. Do we choose based on how inviting or attractive it is? Do we choose based on how easy or hard it may be to go through the door?  As a Christian I know God provides ways we can serve Him.  He is at work in this world and wants us to join Him in His work. It takes faith and much prayer to serve where God wants us to be. He gives us opportunities of service. He opens doors for us to walk through. Will we follow His leading? Even if it’s difficult and uninviting will we be faithful?

“But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me”

(1 Corinthians 16:8-9).

Happy New Year!

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests” (Luke 2:14).

The words glory and praise have been on my mind recently.   The shepherds experienced the glory of the Lord around them and were terrified. The angels declared glory and praise to God and the shepherds were compelled to find the Messiah.  Upon their return they also glorified and praised God for all they had seen and heard!

The Apostle Paul writes about our salvation in the first chapter of Ephesians. He states, “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves” (Eph. 1:4-6). Paul mentions “to the praise of his glory” twice more, indicating we are saved for the purpose of bringing glory and praise to God!

What an awesome thought! Before the world was created God chose us to be “holy and blameless in his sight”.  The Baby in the manger is the fulfilment of God’s choice to save us. It is up to us to accept God’s offer of love, proven at the cross and the empty tomb, so we can live to the glory and praise of God!

Merry Christmas!

Remembering to Give Thanks

Give thanks to God for all you have to face
Remembering we have nothing without His grace.

Give thanks for children who enrich and complicate our lives
Remembering God has made you His child to thrive.

Give thanks for your children’s children whether girls or boys
Remembering they are grandparents’ crowning joys.

Give thanks for shelter from the heat and cold
Remembering even without it, God shelters our soul.

Give thanks for clothing whether cotton or silk
Remembering Christ’s blood covers our guilt.

Give thanks for food that nourishes life
Remembering God’s Word gives our life Light.

Give thanks for friends both far and near
Remembering their love and concern is so dear.

Give thanks for Jesus, our glorious Savior
Remembering it’s through Him we live forever.

Give thanks for Christmas, Jesus’ birth
Remembering without Him there’s no hope on earth.

                                                   — Diana Murphy    —     Written in 2002

May you have peace, joy, and gratitude this Christmas!

“I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord” (Psalm 27:13-14).

I have waited for the Lord to give me a writing prompt. Apparently, my ears and eyes have not been attentive to His prompts. No wonder I feel like I’m in a slump. I’m missing God’s glory and the blessings all around.

I attended the International Conference on Missions (ICOM) this past weekend and was encouraged by the speakers and reports of how God is working around the world. Getting away from the busyness of home has helped me focus more on the goodness of the Lord.

I saw friends from far and near and was reminded of the many blessings that come my way through the friendship of other Christians. I shared prayers of blessing and encouragement with a widowed friend who has served God for many years and with a Polish couple serving the Lord in their country as well as another country. God is growing His Kingdom all over the world.

“ .  .  . because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation” (Revelation 5: 9b).

I entered the prayer room, chose a section where I could sit for awhile to pray and reflect. Revelation 5:12 was displayed on the wall and marked in a Bible nearby.

“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!”

On the table were seven jars of different colors of sand representing each of these qualities. Those who came to pray were asked to focus on one of the qualities and then put a spoonful of the corresponding sand into a large container, creating a beautiful layering of colors. A beautiful picture of God! He is all we ever need. When we seek these qualities for ourselves, we do not allow God to work through us. Pride takes over humility. Greed takes over gratitude. Oh, how we need to surrender to the Lamb who was slain!

God is working all around the world and giving men and women the resources to build up the Kingdom through sharing the gospel message. His resources are without end and He is worthy to receive power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and praise!

Thank you, God!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I invite you to join me in prayer today.

Dear God,

You are Creator and Sustainer of this world and the whole universe and yet You allow us to petition You for our wants and needs through prayer. Thank You. You are above all in power and authority. Isaiah proclaimed, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory” (Isaiah 6:3).  And we, like Isaiah, must reply we are people with unclean lips and live among people with unclean lips.  It seems we live in a culture drifting farther and farther from You and the truth of Your Word. Save us, Lord, from Satan’s lies and deceptions. Open our eyes to Your truth. Give us ears to hear Your call to repentance and hearts ready to receive Your forgiveness and salvation.

The United States of America is in trouble. This great Nation was founded on godly principles and now there are forces trying to wipe away our history, both the good and the bad. We know you allow nations to rise and fall and we recognize this may indeed be our fall. But today I plead for Your mercy. For the sake of our children and grandchildren and all future generations I ask for mercy. Save our country!

Help President Biden and Vice President Harris to recognize You as the Sovereign God that You are, to recognize that without You they have no power, to understand true wisdom comes from You; and I pray they will ask You for that wisdom. I pray for every member of the President’s Cabinet to turn their hearts toward You and seek Your wisdom and guidance as they advise the President.

I pray the evil forces that are determined to dismantle this Nation will be stopped. I ask You to strengthen the voices of reason that are trying desperately to speak truth and common sense into the affairs of our government. May more government leaders see the truth and be willing to stand strong for the truth.

Almighty God, we ask forgiveness for the evil ways we have walked as a nation, especially for the killing of innocent and unborn lives. Thank you for the states that are changing their laws to protect these precious lives. I pray for the Church to stand strong and to be the salt and light in the culture. Revive our hearts to love our neighbors enough to share the gospel with them. Help us point them to the Savior without condemnation. Let Your light shine through our every action.

We need You, Lord! We need Your wisdom and guidance. We trust You to be with us no matter what the political scenery looks like. You promised to never leave us and we know this world is not our final home. Help us to be faithful.  Amen

“O Righteous God, who searches minds and hearts, bring to an end the violence of the wicked and make the righteous secure” (Psalm 7:9).

I was driving to a friend’s home on a back country road recently when I came upon a cow wandering along the road—on the wrong side of the fence. I slowed to an even slower pace, hoping the cow would stay and allow me to pass, but, no, she decided to run up the road just ahead of me. All while the rest of the herd was running in the pasture. I barely moved until the cow came to a place where she had a clear view of the pasture and the herd. She finally turned to face the other cows and I slowly drove around her and on to my friend’s house. The friend called the owner to inform him of his wayward cow.

I was reminded of that cow the following Sunday when we sang that old hymn, Come, Thou Fount.  A phrase in the last verse says, “Prone to wander—Lord, I feel it—Prone to leave the God I love.”  Aren’t we sometimes like that cow? We are attracted by something outside of God’s will and wander toward it. I assume that cow found an opening in the fence and liked the look of the green grass along the road. As she grazed, she lost sight of the opening and her way back in. If we take our eyes off God for too long, we may find ourselves losing our way also.

The Apostle Paul reminds us in Galatians chapter 5 to live by the Spirit. Our sinful nature is always in conflict with the Spirit, so we must be intentional about keeping our lives in step with God’s Spirit.

“So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want” (Galatians 5:16-17).

Christians living by the Spirit will face Satan’s attacks. Praise God, we have help by putting on the armor of God. (Ephesians 6:10-17) It is a battle, but Jesus won the victory on the cross.  Look at the words of the second verse of that great old hymn, Come, Thou Fount.

“Here I raise mine Ebenezer—Hither by Thy help I’m come;

And I hope by Thy good pleasure Safely to arrive at home.

Jesus sought me when a stranger Wand’ring from the fold of God’

He to rescue me from danger Interposed His precious blood.”

Jesus bought us by His blood and sent the Holy Spirit as Counselor, to dwell with us, to teach us, and, I think, to warn us when we venture too close to the “fence.” Satan makes the other side of the fence look enticing and attractive. Beware!