Sreedhar's Journey

With increasing crime you usually make added investment in security systems that include cameras, motion sensors and a central monitoring service. Some add a security check service to increase visibility of surveillance and deter would be criminals. They did not have all this in the ancient days. Caleb and Judah after receiving their alloted land had to occupy it and displace the original people. Joshua 15:8, And the border went up by the Valley of the Son of Hinnom to the southern slope of the Jebusite city (which is Jerusalem). The border went up to the top of the mountain that lies before the Valley of Hinnom westward, which is at the end of the Valley of Rephaim northward. The borders were marked out clearly but the Jebusites were not completely removed. It was important enough a situation that it got recorded. Joshua 15:63, As for the Jebusites, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the children of Judah could not drive them out; but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Judah at Je...

Be careful of what you say in jest or in passing, it may become true. The power of the tongue cannot be underestimated. It moves something within us and in the heavenlies. I have learned some strong lessons about this. You either speak up or leave. In any case, when you speak up you may be asked to leave. When you speak or declare positive truth (remember it must be true) God hears you and through His sovereign will, He will bring it to pass. This is what happened to Caleb. Joshua 14:9, So Moses swore on that day, saying, ‘Surely the land where your foot has trodden shall be your inheritance and your children's forever, because you have wholly followed the Lord my God.’ Caleb brought a positive report about the land that God had given the people of Israel 45 years earlier and he claimed the statement made by Moses. He then successfully received the inheritance of Hebron that used to be occupied by the people of Anakim or giants living in great fortified cities. How did Cal...

At what age are you considered old? Don't answer. You may consider me old without knowing it. As you age certain faculties start to deteriorate and you are not the same as you were before. The first thing that you notice is that your wounds don't heal as well and as quickly as before. Joshua is also getting old. Joshua 13:1-2, Now Joshua was old, advanced in years. And the Lord said to him: “You are old, advanced in years, and there remains very much land yet to be possessed. This is the land that yet remains: all the territory of the Philistines and all that of the Geshurites. The work is not finished yet. In fact God shows him clearly what is still outstanding. So do you have outstanding work? Joshua ran out of time. As I read the rest of this book let me further understand God's game plan for the people of Israel. In my case, I need to make sure that I finish what I started. Plan and execute! Now! Don't procrastinate. Do it before it is too late. As the speaker sai...

I have reflected on the matter of Israel's boundaries before. Yes, it is sensitive. I choose to label it as a political issue that has been capitalized using religious sentiments by many. Who is right? God's Word is clear about history. Between Moses and Joshua led the people of Israel and defeated 33 kings to settle the people of Israel in both sides of the Jordan. Joshua 12:7, And these are the kings of the country which Joshua and the children of Israel conquered on this side of the Jordan, on the west, from Baal Gad in the Valley of Lebanon as far as Mount Halak and the ascent to Seir, which Joshua gave to the tribes of Israel as a possession according to their divisions. It is difficult to out think God. He works plans beyond our understanding and intellect. He is sovereign and He will work out His purposes His way. All of these nations that were defeated rejected God to worship other gods. They worshiped wood and stone. They worshipped created and handmade things. God r...

Have you ever intentionally stirred up a bee hive? A few days ago a friend of mine shared his story as a 7 year old disobeying his parents and showing off to his cousins just that. He learnt some serious lessons that day. He had multiple washes of vinegar and thankfully he was not allergic to bee stings. Israel was stirring up bigger trouble. Joshua 11:4, So they went out, they and all their armies with them, as many people as the sand that is on the seashore in multitude, with very many horses and chariots. After some preliminary battles, this appeared to be the biggest battle of all. What would you do if you were Joshua and the people of Israel? The battle seems insurmountable. How can Israel defeat them all? It can only be done when the battle is the Lord's. Joshua 11:6, But the Lord said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid because of them, for tomorrow about this time I will deliver all of them slain before Israel. You shall hamstring their horses and burn their chariots with fire...

Have you heard of unexplained supernatural calamities. Many have occurred over the years. These have impacted the people of the area where it happened. One that sticks out greatly in my lifetime is the earthquake of December 24, 2004 that hit off the coast of Sumatra and killed between 230,000 and 280,000 people. Why did it happen? Wake up call? Joshua and the people of Israel saw God intervene in two ways in their campaign besides how He delivered the various kings into their hands. Joshua 10:11, And it happened, as they fled before Israel and were on the descent of Beth Horon, that the Lord cast down large hailstones from heaven on them as far as Azekah, and they died. There were more who died from the hailstones than the children of Israel killed with the sword. Joshua 10:13, So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, till the people had revenge upon their enemies. Is this not written in the Book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and did not hasten to go...

Recently I shared about the need to wait and not rush into grabbing an opportunity. In the same way, we may be rushing to make a decision and possibly a wrong one. I like the traditional way the Japanese make decisions. It is always collective. It takes a long time but the whole group comes to an agreed decision. With God He is looking for us to seek His counsel. Joshua 9:14, Then the men of Israel took some of their provisions; but they did not ask counsel of the Lord. Joshua did not seek God's counsel before he made a covenant with the Gibeonites. They only lived 3 days away and were to be defeated off their land. But, they became servants. It was a compromise but a bad decision stayed. They could have at least waited 3 days to find out where they lived, but they did not. Father, help me to always wait on you for decisions.