06.04.2002

Theme :

« Revival today «

Joshua 5,13

The last words of a person are of special significance . The Lord Jesus commanded his disciples to go into all the world and to teach the people to keep Gods commandment. Thus, teaching only knowledge is definitely not enough. Teach them to keep. Today, even teaching the own children seems to be difficult to some. I dont see how we can fulfill this comission, unless God works amongst us in reivival power.

I praise God , that all power is given to him, and he did not change.

1. Courage. Joshua has been a courageous man. He asked the man whom he did not know, » are you for us or for the enemies ? ». It is good to face things in the name of the Lord, to be unashamed and no cowards. We need divine courage, that we can stand in this world .

2. The way God works. The man replies, that he is a captain of the Lord. God is revealing himself in human form to Joshua, who as a leader of a mighty army was in submission. He fell down on his knees and the first thing he asked : what message have you got for me ? Respect is needed virtue, also today.

To Moses the desert became a holy ground because of Gods presence. He hqd to take his shoes off, which symbolizes a process of glancing.

3. God is with his people. The mighty walls of Jericho fell down, because God was with Joshua. Joshua received the command to burnd everything in the city and not to take anything.

In the very next fight this victorious army was defeated , because Achan was disobedient. One man sinned, but God said, « Israel sinned ». Achan had to die because of this sin. When I read this I fear God. Could it be that we are defeated because of disobedience of 1 Person in our midst ?

We can reckon with the fact, that God will fight for us if we are in the right relationship with him. Revival is God working amongst his people.