The Monday after Septuagesima Sunday
Posted on February 17, 2025 by under
Scripture: Joshua 1:1-9 (NKJV)
1:1 After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, it came to pass that the Lord spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, saying: 2 “Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them—the children of Israel. 3 Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the River Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your territory. 5 No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. 6 Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Devotion
The promised land is a type of paradise. Crossing over the Jordan river is the way of entrance to the promised land. Crossing through the waters of baptism is our way of entrance into the kingdom of heaven. How could this promised land, described here in chapter one, be a type of something pointing beyond itself? Did Israel ever conquer all the lands here described? Even at its height, under the reigns of David and Solomon, Israel never reached so far.
The history of Israel was always a temporary or partial victory. Often Israel would be less than faithful and her enemies would triumph over her. The truly expansive kingdom, the ever-victorious people, was the Church. God’s will is done on earth as it is in heaven through the Church. The believers come through the waters of baptism into the Church. Eventually, not only will Lebanon and the Euphrates river belong to God’s people, but so shall all heaven and earth. In the meantime, we must be very courageous and live in the promise of our baptism. The Lord will not abandon us in the midst of this hostile world. We shall hold fast to God’s Word and “meditate in it day and night.” He is in His Word.
Collect: O Lord, we beseech Thee favorably to hear the prayers of Thy people: that we, who are justly punished for our offences, may be mercifully delivered by Thy goodness, for the glory of Thy Name; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
