Strength For The Journey

[nChrist]

Author: Theodore Epp
Source: Strength for the Journey
Scripture Reference Joshua 24:16-33 Matthew 7:14

The People's Choice

Joshua 24:16-33

The people were decided and definite in their reaction to Joshua's admonition. They responded with a definite decision to follow the Lord.

Warning the people that they were making no light decision, Joshua said to them, "Ye cannot serve the Lord: for he is an holy God; he is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins" (Josh. 24:19).

They needed this reminder. God is holy and cannot coexist with sin. He is a jealous God and will not take a secondary place. We cannot serve God and live in sin.

The Israelites assured Joshua that they would obey the Lord, for they said (vv. 21,22), "Nay; but we will serve the Lord. And Joshua said unto the people, Ye are witnesses against yourselves that ye have chosen you the Lord, to serve him. And they said, We are witnesses."

There was even a covenant made, and Joshua took a great stone and placed it under an oak as a witness of the people's intention to serve God.

The generation that made the promise was true to its word. We learn in verse 31: "And Israel served the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that overlived Joshua, and which had known all the works of the Lord, that he had done for Israel."

This was a good beginning, and what a different history we would have had if each succeeding generation of Israelites had reached the same decision and stayed with it.

"For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there few that find it" (Matt. 7:14, NASB).

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[nChrist]

Author: Theodore Epp
Source: Strength for the Journey
Scripture Reference Judges 1:1-2 Judges 1:27-36 Romans 6:14

Incomplete Victory

Judges 1:1,2,27-36

We have seen before that we cannot possess what we do not first dispossess. We cannot possess what someone else has control of.

Israel could not possess that portion of Canaan where they coexisted with the Canaanites, even though the Canaanites were their slaves. Instead of destroying the Canaanites or driving them out as God had commanded, the Israelites in many areas allowed them to live in their midst.

It was not a complete victory for God's people. Time after time we are told how they failed to go all the way to accomplish God's purpose. Passage after passage tells us the same story.

This is the story of the seven tribes of Israel that did not completely dispossess the inhabitants and thus possess the land for themselves. God said to drive out these Canaanites, for their cup of sin was full. Israel was to get rid of them and then to dwell where they had dwelt.

There are things that God has told us to get rid of in our lives. And there is no need for us to protest that we cannot, because Christ died and rose again to make it possible for us to do so.

Furthermore, we have the Holy Spirit indwelling us so that Christ now indwells us through the Holy Spirit to live out His life in us. Thus day by day we can, by faith, overcome in the spiritual warfare and be victors through Christ.

"For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace" (Rom. 6:14).

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[nChrist]

Author: Theodore Epp
Source: Strength for the Journey
Scripture Reference Judges 2:11-23 Judges 2:20-23 1 Samuel 12:15

Results of Rebellion

Judges 2:11-23

What follows when we fail to do God's will is pictured for us in Israel's experience recorded in Judges 2.

The people of Israel did what was wrong in the sight of the Lord and forsook Him who was the God of their fathers. They followed the gods of the heathen around them and thereby provoked the true God to anger.

Their spiritual condition was up and down, a condition that lasted some 400 years while God dealt with them in grace and mercy. He was longsuffering and sent them judge after judge to deliver them.

Then we have the account in Judges 2:20-23, which is the sad condition into which the people of Israel were plunged because they would not follow the Lord.

The lesson is obvious for us. If, after we know the truth of the victory provided for us in Christ Jesus (for the Lord always causes us to triumph in Christ Jesus), we do not follow, then chastisement must fall.

If we do not take a definite stand against sin and the self-life, we must face the consequences. It is this rebellious attitude of mind and heart that is the root cause of much of the useless kind of Christianity we see today.

There are Christians who have a ticket to heaven but who are useless to God, failing to accomplish anything for Him.

"But if ye will not obey the voice of the Lord, but rebel against the commandment of the Lord, then shall the hand of the Lord be against you, as it was against your fathers" (1 Sam. 12:15).

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[nChrist]

Author: Theodore Epp
Source: Strength for the Journey
Scripture Reference Romans 6:6-18 Galatians 6:14 John 16:33 1 John 5:4-5 2 Timothy 1:12

A Threefold Enemy

Romans 6:6-18

The Bible teaches that the Christian's enemy is a threefold one: the flesh, the world and the Devil.

The flesh is the old self life, the fallen nature in each one of us. The world is the world of mankind around us that is alienated from God and opposed to His rulership. The Devil, or Satan, includes also the fallen angels whom he controls.

The basis for our victory over this threefold enemy has already been laid for us in Christ.

With regard to the flesh, we read in Romans 6: "Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin" (vv. 6,7).

With regard to the world, we read in Galatians 6:14: "But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world."

This is why the Lord could tell us in John 16:33, "In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."

Further light is thrown on this subject in 1 John 5:4,5: "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?"

"For I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day" (2 Tim. 1:12).

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[nChrist]

Author: Theodore Epp
Source: Strength for the Journey
Scripture Reference 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Hebrews 12:1-4 Ephesians 6:12 Philippians 3:14

Becoming Spiritually Aggressive

1 Corinthians 9:24-27;
Hebrews 12:1-4

Canaan, the Promised Land for the Israelites, is not a type of heaven as some have thought and as some hymns portray it.

Rather it is a type of the Christian's battle against sin and his victory over it as he seeks to live for the Lord. Canaan was a scene of conflict, not of complete peace and rest as heaven will be.

The nations in Canaan become types of the principalities and powers we read about in Ephesians 6:12, where the Apostle Paul tells us, "We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."

When Joshua led the people of Israel into Canaan, he and they not only had to overcome the human leaders and their armies in the land of promise, but also the evil spiritual forces under the direction of Satan who were the actual rulers of these heathen kings.

I have drawn more spiritual lessons for myself and the Back to the Bible broadcast from Joshua's experiences and the book of Joshua and its New Testament counterpart, Ephesians, than from any other person or portions in the Bible.

We as believers are warned to put on the whole armor of God, according to the book of Ephesians, if we are going to enter victoriously into spiritual warfare against the powers of Satan.

If we are to avoid a stalemate in our Christian lives, an experience similar to Israel's 40 years in the desert, we will have to choose to become spiritually aggressive.

"I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 3:14).

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[nChrist]

Author: Theodore Epp
Source: Strength for the Journey
Scripture Reference Psalm 26:2 Ephesians 6:10-17 1 Corinthians 10:1-13

Where Do We Stand?

1 Corinthians 10:1-13

There is a parallel in the experience of Israel and Christians.

While the Israelites were in the desert, they were largely controlled by the flesh, or the old self-life. Consequently, they were always on the defensive. Murmuring and quarreling characterized their experience.

A Christian who is marked by the same qualities or a church that is noted for its murmuring and quarreling is not on the offensive for the Lord. Theirs is a desert life experience.

Another aspect of Israel's experience was when they entered the land. Then they faced the need of entering into offensive warfare. They came in as invaders with the objective of conquering.

It was necessary that they destroy the enemy if they were to take possession of the land for themselves and their posterity.

We need to ask ourselves where we stand with regard to these experiences. Are we still in the world, enduring its bondage?

Are we caught up in worldliness? Or are we in a desert experience in which we are on the defensive, making no headway? Or have we entered into spiritual warfare, seeking to take possession of the things the Lord has for us? (see Eph. 6:10-17).

"Examine me, O Lord, and try me, test my mind and my heart" (Ps. 26:2, NASB).

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[nChrist]

Author: Theodore Epp
Source: Strength for the Journey
Scripture Reference Psalm 4:3 Isaiah 55:8-9 Acts 13:22-23 1 Samuel 16:1-13

A Man After the Heart of God

1 Samuel 16:1-13

When Samuel was sent to the house of Jesse to anoint one of his sons to be king, the old prophet apparently assumed that since Saul (the present king) was a man of striking physical appearance, God would choose another like him.

As Eliab, Jesse's oldest son, stood before him, Samuel said in his heart, "Surely the Lord's anointed is before him" (1 Sam. 16:6).

Then God showed Samuel that the divine standard was not according to a man's physical appearance but according to his heart attitude toward God.

"Look not on his countenance," the Lord said, "or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart" (v. 7).

Paul referred to this fact when he said in Acts 13:22,23, "And when he [God] had removed him [Saul], he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will. Of this man's seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus."

So God's choice was a heart choice. It is clear from this that God's thoughts are not our thoughts, and our ways are not God's ways (see Isa. 55:8,9). God looked for a man whose heart was right toward Him and found him in David.

"But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself" (Ps. 4:3).

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[nChrist]

Author: Theodore Epp
Source: Strength for the Journey
Scripture Reference 1 Samuel 16:14-23 1 Samuel 16:21 John 13:35

A Life That Blesses Others

1 Samuel 16:14-23

Having been anointed king of Israel, David's life could never be the simple life of a shepherd boy again. He was able to return to his flocks for brief periods, but those times soon ceased.

As Psalm 23 indicates, David never forgot that the Lord was his Shepherd. The reminders of the Lord's majesty and care and the benefits of the quiet pastures and still waters steadied David in many a crisis. And they helped bring about the restoration of his soul when he sinned.

The quality of David's life was such that when he first appeared at the royal residence, Saul "loved him greatly" (1 Sam. 16:21).

David came to dispel with his sweet music the evil spirit that often troubled Saul. He, of course, did not know that David was to be his successor.

On the other hand, David behaved so well and was so humble that Saul had no reason to dislike him; rather, he admired and loved him. He made David his armor-bearer and sent word to Jesse that his son was now attached to the inner circle of the king's bodyguard.

Do our lives give off a sweet fragrance that is a blessing to others? Others should see Christ's life reflected in our lives as believers in Christ.

"By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" (John 13:35).

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[nChrist]

Author: Theodore Epp
Source: Strength for the Journey
Scripture Reference Psalm 46:1 1 Corinthians 1:26-29 1 Samuel 17:17-37

The Way of Victory

1 Samuel 17:17-37

Saul stated that David was not able to go against the Philistine. Saul said, "Thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth" (1 Sam. 17:33). Here was a man of gigantic stature and who had been trained for war from his adolescent years.

In this way, Saul sought to discourage David just as Eliab had tried to discourage him with criticism and slander. But David knew his God and would not be put off.

Many centuries later Paul put into words the truth that God does not choose the great things of this world to do His work, but He calls on those things that the world considers as nothing to confound the world's wisdom (see 1 Cor. 1:26-29).

Herein lies a basic difference between human reasoning and God's reasoning. David knew his God and had already seen the hand of God upon his own life in a remarkable way.

David said to Saul, "Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: and I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him" (1 Sam. 17:34,35).

All of us face lions and bears and Goliaths who defy the living God and scorn His people. But where is the Lord God of David? He is still the same today, and those of us who put our trust in Him will be victorious.

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble" (Ps. 46:1).

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[nChrist]

Author: Theodore Epp
Source: Strength for the Journey
Scripture Reference 1 Samuel 17:38-51 1 Corinthians 15:24-27 Psalm 56:3

Standing Strong for God

1 Samuel 17:38-51

God's own program for the ages calls for the complete subjugation of all enemies.

"Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. For he hath put all things under his feet" (1 Cor. 15:24-27).

When Goliath died, the Philistine army began to run in terror, and the people of Israel followed them to take the spoils.

This is always true. Wherever the faithful servant or servants of God carry through some project to victory, the unbelieving and faithless crowd will always come in, seeking what it considers its share.

That same crowd may have held back the victory for a time through envy and jealousy, but as soon as the victory is won, they want to climb on the bandwagon.

May God give us grace to believe Him and, through faith, not to be defeated Christians but victorious children of the living God. May God stir our hearts so that we will not be ashamed of Jesus Christ our Lord.

"What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee" (Ps. 56:3).

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[nChrist]

Author: Theodore Epp
Source: Strength for the Journey
Scripture Reference 1 Samuel 18:1-16 1 Corinthians 10:13 Colossians 3:2

The Price of Popularity

1 Samuel 18:1-16

Popularity has its attractive side, but it carries with it spiritual dangers. There is always a price to pay for it, and sometimes it is too high. Some can handle popularity and not be hurt by it; others cannot.

Pride arising in the human heart for any reason is not good. Then there are always those who become jealous of anyone who seems to be well liked by others.

Perhaps these dangers, internal and external, help keep a person on the alert. The Lord knows how much any of us can take of these things and always provides a way of escape (see 1 Cor. 10:13).

David knew the source of his strength so that praise only caused him to give God the glory. It did not change his humble attitude toward life. On the other hand, Saul's reaction to the praise given David changed Saul for the worse.

Let us not become discouraged if, after we surrender our lives to God, He permits testings and trials to come. They will always come.

Young people write to me or speak to me in services about this. One of their most common questions is why things are so adverse after they have given themselves completely to the Lord.

We know first from the Scriptures and then from experience that testings are essential for our spiritual training. They are needed before God can trust us with the responsibilities of spiritual leadership.

"Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth" (Col. 3:2).

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[nChrist]

Author: Theodore Epp
Source: Strength for the Journey
Scripture Reference 1 Samuel 19:1-18 Psalm 59 2 Corinthians 4:8-9

Persecuted, but Not Forsaken

1 Samuel 19:1-18

When David realized he had to flee, he naturally went to his own house. But his home was not a safe place for him.

Being human, David had his weaknesses, and one of those weaknesses showed itself in some of the women he married. It is doubtful if Michal was a true believer, and his marriage to her was a source of trouble to him.

Out of this experience he wrote Psalm 59. In it he poured out his heart for deliverance (vv. 1,2) and declared his innocence, saying, "Strong men are banding together to attack me, not for my transgression, nor for my sin, 0 Lord. Without any wrong of mine, they run and prepare themselves" (vv. 3,4, Berkeley).

He felt keenly the pressure of the lies and persecution by his enemies. This is a good psalm for us to read when we are being pressured by foes or hounded or criticized because of belonging to the Lord.

Perhaps our troubles have been financial; but whatever they are, let us learn from David how to triumph in them. He cast himself on the deliverance of God, and his Lord provided the way of escape.

"We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed" (2 Cor. 4:8,9).

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[nChrist]

Author: Theodore Epp
Source: Strength for the Journey
Scripture Reference Galatians 6:8 1 Samuel 22:9-18 1 Samuel 21:1-10

The Effects of Sin

1 Samuel 21:1-10

When he fled to Ahimelech, the priest, David resorted to an untruth.

Ahimelech was afraid that David's presence before him was the beginning of trouble, but David sought to quiet the priest's fears by saying, "The king hath commanded me a business, and hath said unto me, Let no man know any thing of the business whereabout I send thee, and what I have commanded thee: and I have appointed my servants to such and such a place" (1 Sam. 21:2).

This was a sad chapter in David's life, but he was not forsaken. God permitted these tests in order to teach David some very valuable lessons. The Lord was preparing him for the throne where he would have to meet much greater tests.

David did not know that his lies would bring trouble to Ahimelech. David was hungry and asked for food.

While conversing with the priest, he saw Doeg, chief herdsman for King Saul, near the sanctuary. This man was an Edomite, not an Israelite, who wore a cloak of religion to cover up the true condition of his heart.

He was a tool of Saul's, cruel and unscrupulous, and it is likely that David's heart skipped a beat when he saw this wicked man.

Had David stayed with Samuel no harm would have come to Ahimelech and his fellow priests; but David's presence among them, of which they were entirely innocent, proved to be their death warrant (1 Sam. 22:9-18).

One person's sin can sometimes have far-reaching effects on others.

"For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting" (Gal. 6:8).

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[nChrist]

Author: Theodore Epp
Source: Strength for the Journey
Scripture Reference Psalm 37:24 Philippians 4:13 Ephesians 2:6 Romans 8:17 Psalm 142 Psalm 57 Psalm 34 Hebrews 13:13 Psalm 34:8-22 1 Samuel 22:1-5

Rejected but Strong

1 Samuel 22:1-5; Psalm 34:8-22

We find in 1 Samuel 22 that David has stopped hiding among his enemies and has returned to his own land. It was during this period in his experience that he wrote psalms 34, 57 and 142.

David was God's anointed king in exile. These men gathered around him, recognizing him as God's chosen one. They were willing to wait for God's time with him and were willing to suffer with him if necessary.

They did for David what we are admonished to do for Christ in Hebrews 13:13: "Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach."

Paul reminded us in Romans 8:17 that we are "heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him."

Our Lord is now rejected but is gathering together a group to reign with Him. This is only a small army. They are equipped to fight, not with carnal weapons but with the spiritual weapons that are mighty through God. With Christ as Captain this army will conquer.

We can only do great things in the future as we learn to do the right things now. We learn from Ephesians 2:6 that God has "raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus."

This is something that is true of us now. We are being trained by our Lord now and can learn to say as Paul did, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Phil. 4:13).

"Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand" (Ps. 37:24).

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[nChrist]

Author: Theodore Epp
Source: Strength for the Journey
Scripture Reference Proverbs 16:25 1 Samuel 23:6-14

Beware of Circumstances!

1 Samuel 23:6-14

We learn from this chapter that people who intend evil can also speak of the Lord and His work in a very pious way.
Saul was told that David had delivered Keilah, and he said, "God hath delivered him into mine hand; for he is shut in, by entering into a town that hath gates and bars" (1 Sam. 23:7).

This was Saul speaking, a man who had been so disobedient to God that the Spirit of God had departed from him. He was a man who, no matter how he prayed, received no answer from God because his heart was not right toward God.

Yet here he was saying that God had delivered David into his hands. We must always be careful of our interpretation of circumstances.

On a number of occasions I have counseled with different persons who were very obviously following a selfish path. Their one strong argument was that the circumstances favored the course they wanted to take; but it was obvious to me, at least, that they were viewing circumstances in a false light.

I was able to check the subsequent history of some of these people and found them miserable in heart with no joy in the Lord. If our wills are not wholly submitted to the Lord, we are bound to misinterpret the circumstances around us.

"There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death" (Prov. 16:25).

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