Looking Back

I just finished reading the Book of Joshua the other day and was reminded how serving the Lord is definitely not something possible by "putting our noses to the grindstone," for Joshua set up a rock as a witness against the people for exclaiming as much. Interestingly enough, by reading about the acts of God's power in history, we engage in the process by which God's people do keep service to the Him, by remembering His good work, what He does on behalf of His people (Rom. 8). Knowledge of and acknowledgment of God's promise-keeping power engenders the obedience of faith, evidence of God's regenerative work in His own. God gave commands to the "out-of-exile" Israelites to set aside times for remembrance so that they would not harm themselves by trusting in false gods, displeasing the LORD. For them, and as it should also be with us, remembrance was made ceremonial. Likewise, it was often accompanied by celebration. Joy in increases where faith abounds. For remembering God's power to do what He promises is what we believers need so that we increase in faith. To know what He's done and that not a single of His promises has ever failed ought to amplify our faith. How can you trust the Lord for salvation? BECAUSE HE'S NEVER FAILED IN ANYTHING. He cannot lie; He's steadfast in love. With this understanding can we serve Him as he deserves to be honored and lifted up in our hearts and minds for all that he has done and all that He will do. This service is not some type of work for God as if to earn something from Him. It's the service of trust. It's the service which says we will rely upon Him and not ourselves, a commandment in the same vein as that of a shepherd who directs his sheep for their health and safety; He know's better. It's faith, the evidence of the justification, sanctification, and glorification we hope for, the substance of our future resurrection and eternal life (Jn17:3). As noted after the covenant renewal at Shechem in Joshua 24:31, "Israel served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua and had known all the work that the LORD did for Israel." Israel served because Israel knew, "all the work that the LORD did for Israel." People perish for a lack of such knowledge. But for us, we can look backward to the great evidence of God's work in Christ, making all promises yes, and look forward in faith to the consequences of His glory for us.