Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

  FAMILY A PLACE OF FAITH FORMATION: Anchoring our Faith in God

JOSHUA  24:14-22 

The hallmark of a biblical living is “faith”. Hebrews chapter 11 is often called the "Hall of Faith" or the "Faith Hall of Fame." In this noted chapter, the writer of the book of Hebrews introduces an impressive list of heroic figures from the Old Testament, whose stories stand out to encourage and challenge the faith. Joshua too was one such leader though not mentioned in this chapter. He was a tower of faith in Israel’s pilgrimage.

Faith comes from hearing, hearing the word of God, trusting in the word of God and believing in the word of God. When Joshua was a hundred and ten years old, he called the Israelites to Shechem to hear his farewell speech. In chapter 24, we see Joshua telling the people of Israel to look at their past and see how God delivered them. Remembering past grace gives us the motivation to trust God with the future grace. Displaying spiritual leadership, he challenged the people to make a conscious choice to always serve the living God. In Joshua 24:14, he tells the people of Israel to “Fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness”. In verse 15, Joshua makes a commitment to God by setting an example by saying, “But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord”. 

Joshua stayed close to the Lord’s call. He allowed the Lord to make him a blessing to Israel. He spoke strongly to turn the hearts of the people of Israel to the Lord. He asked the people of Israel not to serve any other Gods expect the Lord Almighty. Christians should not blend in with everyone else in this world. When we compromise our Christian life styles and adopt the ways of the world we are being unfaithful to God. 

Joshua was a leader who lived in faith. What is faith and how does it work? Hebrews 11:1 “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen”.  Faith must have substance in which we can rely on. If we have faith in bad substance then our living will be bad. A little faith in good substance can produce great result.  This “good substance” is God himself. That’s why Joshua, in his farewell speech reminded the people to trust in the track record of the Lord and build up their faith in God.  Faith is the engine that moves us forward. It’s important to retrospect our life off and on, so we can discover God’s presence in our lives, build our faith and live purposefully for the Lord like Joshua. 

 
PRAYER
Sovereign Lord empower us to  walk with sure -footed faith every day that crosses generational lines.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Faith comes from hearing and hearing from the word of God.

 
Regi  Mathew
The Mar Thoma Church Staten island.

 
Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church

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