We also A thousand tongues to see my great Redeemer's praise, the glories of my god and king, the triumphs of his grace. This is James Kennedy, inviting you to stay tuned for another message of God's sovereign grace. Give such a joy sound are born just to be and with the end of return and all the saints shall be graceful to save us land and all the straight is plain which room. To the one rustling grace described by name in God eternal board was grace that came me through the Lamb who all my sorrows food Grace led my rolling feet to tread the heavenly road and who Who some thou I meet while presing one to God grace of my soul to pray and make my life more full God's grace that can be true this day and will not let me go Grace of the world shall crown Through heaven grace in praising heaven that most stone and well deserved. On the Baptist Bible Hour program today, La Serre Bradley Jr.
continues in his series of sermons from the book of Joshua. Today, coming to Joshua 24 and verse 1 with a message titled A Review of Divine Mercies. We are nearing the end of this sermon series from the book of Joshua, with just one message after this one to conclude the book.
So please be turning in your Bibles to Joshua chapter 24. And we will get started with that message right after the following song. Come thou fount of every blessing, to my heart to sing thy praise. Streams of mercy never ceasing, call for songs of love, his praise. Teach me some and only song it, sung by failing tongues above.
Praise the mount of fixed beyond it, mount of God's unchanging love. Here I raise my eboness, hither by thy help I come, and I hope by thy good pleasure, safely to arrive at home. Jesus saw me when a stranger wandering. From the fold of God, He to save my soul from danger, interposed His precious blood. O to grace, how great a deader, daily I constrain to thee.
Let thy grace, Lord, like a fetter, bind my wandering heart to thee. From to wonder, Lord, I feel it, from to live of God, I love. Here's my heart, Lord, take and seal it, seal it for thy courts above. We go once again to the book of Joshua. Chapter twenty four Reading verse 1.
Joshua 24, verse 1. And Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel, Yeshikim, and called for the elders of Israel, And for their heads, And for their judges, And for their officers, and they presented themselves before God.
Now recall in the preceding chapter There was a similar meeting. But at that time... It only mentions that he called these leaders. At this point, it says that he gathered all the tribes and then lists the various leaders who were also there. A subject.
A Review of Divine Mercies. This is obviously an important meeting since all the tribes and their leaders are called to hear this message from Joshua. She comes down to the End of his journey here on this earth. He feels it important. to cover this ground.
reminding them of the great things God has done for them.
So first we consider that there are mercies here enumerated. Verse 2. And Joshua said unto all the people, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel. Your fathers dwelt on the other side of the flood in old time, even Terah, the father of Abraham and the father of Nicomor, and they serve other gods.
Now one thing that's consistently pointed out In this reading. is that God was always extremely displeased with idolatry. That's where Abraham was. That's where God. came to him and brought him out.
These people were idolaters. What an amazing display of grace that God would make a covenant with him promising to make him the father of many nations and give a promise that even looked forward to the coming of the Messiah.
So they served other gods. Verse 3. And I took your father Abraham from the other side of the flood, and led him throughout all the land of Canaan. and multiplied his seed, and gave him Isaac. And I gave unto Isaac Jacob and Esau.
And I gave unto Esau Mount Seir. to possess. But Jacob and his children went down into Egypt. We know. Early on in this message, it is a description of what God has done.
It's not an acknowledgement of man's successful effort in going into the land of Canaan. It's not something that was based on his decision or his works. It's a description of what God did for His people. Verse 5. I sent Moses and Aaron.
And I plagued Egypt. According to that which I did among them, and afterward I brought you out. And I brought your fathers out of Egypt. And ye came unto the sea, and the Egyptians pursued after your fathers, with chariots and horsemen, unto the sea. And when they cried unto the Lord, he put darkness between you and the Egyptians.
and brought the sea upon them and covered them. and your eyes have seen what I have done in Egypt, and he dwelt in the wilderness for a long season.
Now even as we read that, Somebody might be saying, How many times do we have to hear about the deliverance of the children of Israel at the Red Sea? Haven't we heard that over and over again? Is it necessary that we have such repetition? Obviously, it was the purpose of God that his people be continually reminded of that deliverance. And we read that these things of old were written for our warning and admonition.
So we need to learn. That there are things it must Author, the repeated. Bringing to our minds these mercies of God, the mighty things that He has done for us. It's uplifting and encouraging to read what He did for His people in days gone by. It's a reminder of what he's able to do for us.
And then there are specific things that we need to enumerate as to the blessings he has given us in our lives individually.
So it was important for the people to recognize and continue to remember that their deliverance from Egypt Was not a result of their own effort, their ingenuity, their schemes. It was the Lord. that raised up Moses, brought them out, delivered them at the Red Sea. Verse 8. And I brought you into the land of the Amorites, which dwell on the other side of Jordan.
and they fought with you. And I gave them into your hand. that he might possess their land, And I destroyed them from before you. God wanted them to remember what He had done for them and to recall the details. Joe?
Here, Joshua. in his last days brings it to their attention once again. The Lord is mentioned 21 times. in these verses that we're going to look at in this chapter.
So the focus is on the Lord. Joshua was a great man. He was a faithful servant. We're inspired when we read all of the things that took place in his life and how he faithfully served God. But the focus is not on Joshua, it's on God.
21 times. God is mentioned in this message that's brought by Joshua.
So just as it was necessary for these people to be reminded of Specific things God had done, the details of His mercies and blessings upon them. We need also to be mindful of that in our lives, and we'll say more about that in a moment. Verse 9. Then Balak the son of Zephor, king of Moab, arose and warred against Israel, and sent Balaam the son of Bear to curse you. But I would not hearken unto Bab.
Therefore he blessed you still.
So I delivered you out of his hand.
Now that's an interesting story. as this king Ash Lamb. to curse Israel.
Well, Balaam says, I can't say anything except what God gives me. But he is Willing to try to move forward and Do what he can.
Well, he's riding a little donkey. Um God puts an angel in the path.
so that uh he's hindered. It is forward progress. The donkey could see the angel, but Balaam couldn't see it.
So he's frustrated when his donkey stops. In fact, he's so angry Whoopsie. And finally the donkey turns around and talks to us. I said, why are you whipping me? Don't you see this angel?
And then Abraham's eyes were opened so that he was able to see it.
Well, when he tried to speak some word of curse to satisfy. The the king. Blessings came out. Yeah. Baby says, I brought you out here to curse these people and you bless them.
Say, well, let's move on to another spot. Let's go to a different location. Maybe it'll turn out better.
So thank you. Move along and I don't steak. And Blessings come out. Second time. He's blessing Israel.
He said, I can only speak that which God gives me.
So, what God was given him was blessing. Yeah. Balak says, let's go to another location. Maybe you can see the situation a little better. You can see the land, see the people, so we'll try a third location.
And then And the same thing happened. Bayelam It's just a blessing.
Well, isn't it wonderful to know how God can intervene in such a matter? that here's a pagan king determined to do harm to Israel. And has this servant come with the idea that he will be able to curse them? But God intervenes and nothing comes out of his mouth but blessing.
Well, God's people have many enemies today. There are many people that would like to wipe out totally the Christian testimony in America. stand in fierce opposition to it. and are doing everything they can to curse it. But isn't it good to know that God is able even to turn around the effort and desires of those who would?
Curse Christianity. And remove it. from any influence in this country. God is able to turn that around. Do a blessing.
So it's in Him that we trust. He's the sovereign God ruling over all and we depend on him. to protect us. Sustain us from all opposition and that surround us in this wicked day. Verse 11.
And he went over Jordan. And came unto Jericho. And the men of Jericho fought against you, the Amorites and the Perizzites and the Canaanites and the Hittites and the Girbashites. And the Havites and the Gebnisites. And I delivered them into your hand.
So there was a formidable opposition. to their entrance into the land. these various tribes and peoples that uh possessed it. But the Lord says, I delivered them into your hand. That's why you were able to move in.
That's why you were able to possess the land, because I delivered them. into your hand. May we never forget that, and into the spiritual battles in which we become involved. that we must look to the Lord. Two.
Turn back. the efforts of the enemy. and to deliver his people. They faced much opposition. And God's people today.
Finish. Much opposition. There's a growing Bitterness and resentment against Christianity in America. How sad to see it. And we know that in the earlier times.
There was great respect shown. Yeah. teaching to God's word. The moral principles established there were respected and were a part of the law of the land. And now there are those that want to destroy it all.
and brought to Limit. Free speech.
So that if somebody disagrees with them, they ought to be shut down. not be allowed to speak their view. Oh, how we need God's blessing and intervention. to keep the goals of these who oppose the truth. from being successful in their effort.
We face much opposition. And We see that described in Ephesians chapter 6. Just as the enemies that Israel face would have hindered their enjoyment. Oh. their inheritance.
These enemies today would hinder us. They can't destroy our inheritance in heaven. They can make our present inheritance. A little uncomfortable. Ephesians 6, verse 11 says, Put on the whole armor of God that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
For 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. I don't know that we fully understand all that's involved in each of those categories. But When we read that our battle is not just against flesh and blood, not just against individuals that we might encounter, it's against principalities. against power. the rulers of the darkness of this world.
Oh, it seems that the darkness is certainly invading the minds of the multitudes to day, Not able to discern, not able to see the darkness that's engulfing them. the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places, We recognize that we're incapable of adequately facing enemies of that caliber. Show that. He's telling us to put on the whole armor of God. We can't successfully fight this battle by ourselves.
We can't do it by human strength and ingenuity. It's only as we are clothed upon with that armor, taking the shield of faith Going forward with our trust in God and using what He's made available to us. Certainly we recognize That We are in a battle. Any Christian that doesn't recognize that. has put their head in the sand.
Uh yes. listen to any of the news and it's not that I recommend you want to spend a lot of time with that because that's rather depressing. But just to be alert enough to know something of what's going on in our country today, you know that there is a concerted effort. Two. Um Put down.
The testimony of the Christian faith.
So we are facing spiritual wickedness in high places. And we need to have on the whole armor of God to successfully stand. Then verse 12. And I sent the harness before you, which drave them out from before you, even the two kings of the Amorites, but not with thy sword, nor with thy bow.
Now there's Varying opinions about what this means.
Some believe that it means exactly. What is literally before us that God did send some hornets which drove out some of the people from before them.
Some think that it's figurative language. And it's talking about the news that was circulated concerning the success of the Israelites.
So that when they went in and had a visit with Rahab, she talked about how their hearts failed them just when they heard the account of what had happened. And so Here, this was a Forward blessing. not dependent on their sword or their bow, but however it was, Certainly it was the work of God. I sent the hornet before you. I'm the one that drove them out.
And I have given you a land which ye did not labor and cities. Which You did not build what you built not, and ye dwell in them. and of vineyards and olive gardens. which ye planted not, do ye eat. Joshua was reminding them of how blessed they are.
They've come into a land. And enjoy. housing that they didn't build. They have Been able to eat from vineyards and olive yards that they didn't plant. How favored, how blessed.
Now, we know there's a principle in Scripture that the man that won't work ought not to eat. And Work is good and work is expected. Uh Must we not all say that there are many blessings in life that God has given us, which we have to say. It's not a result of my work. It's not a result of my effort.
It's just the goodness, mercy, and grace of God.
So just remember, Joshua says, how favored you are. That you are Living in cities that you did not build, you did not labor for them, you're eating from. vineyards and olive yards which it didn't plant. Oh, how gracious and good is the Lord. Expressions here certainly emphasize The power of God.
in carrying out his purposes. He says, I took. I gave, I sent, I brought, I have brought. I have done, I destroy. Over and over again, then the focus is on God.
This is what God has done. God is declaring that God had done what He promised. Jewish people. Isn't it reassuring? when we see God keeping his promises.
We know that he is faithful, that he cannot lie. As we said in the message on the air this morning, His promises are yea and amen. They are dependable. But Joshua is giving them Clear evidence, clear proof. as they recall what God had promised.
and now see the fulfillment of it. They now possess the land. And the Lord reminds them that he has done it. I brought you into the land of the Amorites. I gave them into your hands.
I destroyed them before you. This is what I did. And as we see the many evidences of God doing what he has promised, we should believe him without hesitation. even as Abraham did long ago. Romans chapter 4, verse 20, speaking of Abraham, says, He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief.
But let me ask you. Has there been a time that you've staggered at the promise of God? You unbelievable. You knew what his promise was. You read it directly from his word.
But you didn't embrace it. You didn't believe it. You raise questions about it.
Well Abraham staggered not. Hey Believed the promise of God. He was strong in faith, giving glory to God. And when we embrace His promise or believe His word, we thereby are giving glory to God.
So, being fully persuaded. that what he had promised was he was able to perform. Do you believe that? that what God has promised he is able to perform.
Now sometimes we get in a hurry. And we're asking the Lord to grant a particular blessing. and we don't see evidence of it. And Questions of various kinds come in our mind. We have to remember that God's timetable is not always equal to ours.
He says, wait on the Lord. We're to continue to come regularly to the throne of grace. We're to pray without ceasing. We're to seek Him and believe His promises. but know that he will fulfill them.
according to his timetable. And sometimes. His answer differs from what we would desire. When Jesus himself prayed to the Father, Let this cup pass from me.
Now did the father hear it? Yes, he hurt him. But his answer Was Good. It was intended that Jesus should go on to the cross and die. Which he did.
And show the Lord.
Sometimes he will hear what we say, but his answer differs, just like in the case of the Apostle Paul, where Paul's request was, remove the thorn. God heard his prayer, but the way he answered it, I'll give you grace to bear up under this trial. Do you believe his word, staggering not at the promise of God? Roaring! The scriptures encourage us to remember.
the work of God in our lives. Today's message from Leser Bradley Jr. from Joshua chapter 24 encourages us to do just that. to remember the divine mercies of God. Join us on our next program as we conclude this message from the book of Joshua and head towards the finish line.
Please visit our website at BaptistBibleHour.org for many different resources, and please join us on our next program to hear the conclusion of today's message. Thanks so much for listening to today's broadcast. And until next time, may the Lord richly bless you all. Yeah. Yeah.
For sin could not atone. Thou must save and thou alone in my hand no Christ I bring. Address all mail to the Baptist Bible Hour, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45217. That's the Baptist Bible Hour, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45217. I draw this fleeting breath when my eyes shall close in death, when I rise to worlds unknown and behold the throne.
Rock of ages bath for me, let me find myself in thee.
