Hope is a mainstay
Numbers 27:, 16 “May the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation, 17who will go out and come in before them, and who will lead them out and bring them in, so that the congregation of the LORD will not be like sheep which have no shepherd.”
For years the children of Israel had followed Moses out of Egypt and through the wilderness. There was complaining among them for sure; the Bible mentions some of it, but even with all the complaing the Israelites knew that Moses was chosen by God; and he was the one they should follow. Moses had already been told by God that he would not go into the Promised Land, so Moses being certain of his own death prayed to God; and asked for a new leader to guide them on their way.
This prayer by Moses asking God to send the people a new leader resulted in Joshua being sent by God to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. I am reminded of a similar request that was given by John the Baptist and his request was met by God in the person of Jesus Christ!
John the Baptist came into this world preaching God, and sharing the light of His salvation. He asked God to send one who would lead His children into the New Promised Land that had been prepared by God.In Luke 7 John, just before death, was comforted by Jesus when his disciples came and asked Jesus if He was the one sent by God. Jesus told them that they should report to John what they had seen done by Him. When the reports of what they had seen Jesus do got to John his hope in God was reassured, and I know that because he had gotten a newfound hope in Jesus that he was able to face death with confidence in God.
I have always found it interesting that the Hebrew name translated Joshua, and the Greek name translated Jesus mean essentially the same thing, “The One who saves”. Moses and the Israelites found hope in Joshua to complete their journey and take them into the Promised Land.
Their is an old Christian hymn, The Solid Rock, that says –
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly trust in Jesus’ Name.
As christians we have the Hope of Jesus Christ that we will be delivered safely by God into the Promised Land!
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Father, I thank You for giving me hope through Your Son, and I ask that You constantly remind me of that hope when this world gets chaotic. In Jesus’ name, Amen
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The Image above can be found at:http://heavenawaits.wordpress.com/2008/09/22/the-quest-for-the-promised-land/
Yes, You Can Ministry 