But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the LORD charged you, to love the LORD your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul. jos.22.6 So Joshua blessed them, and sent them away: and they went unto their tents.--Joshua 22:5-6
The land had been possessed! Here Joshua is dismissing the tribes of Reuben, Gad and Manasseh in order that they could return to their land on the other side of the Jordan River. This is his charge to them as they left. This is God's charge to us. This is my prayer for you and me.
Father,
Behold, what manner of love You have bestowed upon me, that I should be called your child!! You are a God who shows mercy unto thousands that love you and keep your commandments. Help me, Lord, to love you with all my heart, soul, mind and strength. Help me to love others as You love them...to walk in Your ways and to serve you with all that I possess.
Heaven and earth are the work of Your hands. All that is in them is Yours. I also am your handiwork. I belong to You. You have redeemed me with Your blood. You have pulled me up out of the miry clay and have set my feet upon a rock. You have blessed me with eternal life in the heavenly places. Truly, Lord you deserve all my obedience. You deserve all my praise. All glory and honor and thanksgiving belong to You. You, O Lord, loved me and died for me when I was still your enemy. You loved me when I was unloveable...You loved me first! You chose me Father and You delight in me!!!!
And if that was not enough, You have not left me alone, but have sent Your Holy Spirit, the Comforter, to abide with me forever. You reveal Yourself to me, walk with me here as I journey and show me the path of life. You make your home with me! Because I love you and believe, You, Lord, make all things in my life work together for good according to Your purposes. When I die, the crown of life is mine...and not just mine only, but it belongs to all who love you!!
...And yet....despite all of this...I am still so stubborn, so prideful, so willful! Soften my heart to seek You and Your grace more. Help me, Lord, to put aside ME and MY desires. Help me to want what You want. Align my will with Your perfect one. Obedience to You brings blessing. Obedience is how Your love is made perfect in me. Your word tells me that obedience is better than sacrifice and to love You is to keep your commandments. Above all other things, Father, help me to put on love...love is the bond of perfection.
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