The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1913-11-19
Sunday School Notes
Side Light, on Next Sundays Lesson
for Teacher, and Pupils.
Edited by Charles K. Meyers

November 23-Joshua, Inc I'VE"
Leader. Josh. /, 1.19.
Our attention was called last sun
day to the death Of the great leader
Moses. One might at first fear that
the wandering Hebrews would, with
the death of Moses, be left without
proper leadership, but we find this I'M
portant matter attended to long be-
fore. Many will have in mind that
one of the persons who was on the
mountain with Moses at the time ne
was away for many days from the
camp receiving the ten command
ments written on the tables TO stone,
was young man named Joshua. 1t
was he, who when hearing the uproari
in the camp, was quick to think that
enemies were attacking and was an
ious to get in the fight. 1t was TINS
same young man who as one OF the
twelve spies sent out to investigate
the chances of taking the land of
promise, reported with Caleb that the
Hebrews should go forward at once,
arguing that if God was with them
even the giants and walled cities
could not stand against them. His
words at that time showed him to be-
one of the "Overcomers" through
faith. ana - pc 51a ~@z
The Children of Israel mourned thir-
ty days for the death of Moses, and
when this was over, it came time for
another forward movement. Then
God spoke directly to Joshua, telling
him to at once take command Of the
people and push onward over Jordan.
The words of God to Joshua make up
the important thing for us to consid-
er at this time. 1t is inspiring to see
what Joshua is told. There is the
promise of complete triumph. The
idea Of failure is not given thought
or utterance. 1t is such a power as
was behind Joshua, while he was do
ing Gods work, that is behind us In
our endeavors for the cause of bible
religion.
In the beginning Joshua is told to
60 forward with courage and the coun-
try which he was to conquer, and hold,
was set forth. The pledge was given
him that God would be with him as
with Moses. Now comes what might
we'll be the golden text of the lesson,
the great promise II will not fail thee
nor forsake thee" Blessed pledge. It
has; the true ring. 1t is the promise
of God to a trusted servant. You and
can claim 1t as we'll as Joshua. The
blessed Jesus said ~ will not leave
you comfortless l will come unto you. .
st. Paul declared 81 can do all things
through Christ which strengthened
me-" How courageous and confident
should believers in God and Jesus be,
hohjn1 fhonn
The next words of the Lord are
these, BE strong and of good cour-
age" These words of cheer we can
also claim. It has oft been said Zone
with God is a majority" and every
person in the world can be that ''one"'
and triumph, if he SO desires. Let it
be we'll observed that following these
words of encouragement, comes the
direction that to succeed Joshua must
attend strictly to the laws laid down
by Moses, and turn not from them to
the right hand or left. 1t is this turn
ing away from the straight path which
gets us into trouble. We can only
claim the promises when we are doing
our best to fulfill the will of God.
Specially note the very important
command as to the way Joshua was to
act toward the bible or the commands
of God. He is told 'The book of the
law shall not depart out of thy mouth,
but thou shalt mediate therein day
and night" 1t is added that by so do.
ing he shall be prospered and have
good success. The word of God con-
stantly with one, and meditating on it
day and night. This certainly some
thing to be striven after. To put our
selves in position to do this, we read
our bibles, 60 to Sunday school, hear
the preacher, listen to the word of
our elders in the faith. We mediate,
that is think earnestly, on our bust
ness affairs. our plans for society, our
work from day to day. yet many of
us alas give apparently little heed to
the things effecting our eternal saliva
tion which govern our condition for
the long eternity. This should not be
so. The promises of God, His words
of encouragement, should be we'll
lodged in the mind and considered oft
in the day and week.
In the closing verse of our lesson
the command to be of good courage 10
repeated and there is added For the
Lord thy God is with thee whitherso-
ever thou goest." While this was said
to Joshua, the leader, it holds good to
you and l. We often sing about
standing on the promises of God"
and that about states the case. The
promise that God will be ever with us
to help, we have right to claim. I
end the lesson talk with the verses
of the last of Jude "Now to Him who
is able to keep you from falling and
present you faultless before the
throne of His grace, to Him the all
wise God our heavenly Father be
majesty, dominion and power forever
more" Amen.
Children Cry