The Coolidge examiner., 1938-06-30

Pals.
PRIMARY TOPIC-Choosing Sides.
JUNIOR TOPIC-A Loyal Leader.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR
TOPIC-A Choice Of Loyalties.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT
TOPIC-Man's Highest Allegiance.
Lives of great men all remind
us" according to the poet that we
too may make our lives sublime,
and thus leave our footprints in the
shifting sands of time. The study
of biography is interesting, instruc-
tive, and often challenging. When
we enter the field Of Bible biography
we bring into consideration an ad-
ditional and fundamental factor,
namely, the power and grace of
God working in and through a sur
rendered life. All strength of char
acter and ability is a gift of God,
but its glory is largely yelled and
its usefulness definitely limited, il
not actually perverted, because
there is no recognition of the
foundation of true greatness, which
is faith in and loyalty to God
During the next three months we
are to share in the study Of the life
stories Of great men and women
which will not only stimulate am
bitions, but which also reveal what
God can do through those who are
readv IN follow Him
Moses, Gods great leader for Is
rael, having brought them out of
the land of bondage and through the
terrible wilderness. is about to
leave them. Gods workman is about
to die, but His work is to go on.
God is not taken by surprise.
|. A Prepared Man Takes Com
mand 1880.
Moses is dead; now therefore
arise" Life is like that. The
king is dead; long live the king,
is the cry of those who live under
monarchies, as one ruler dies and
his successor takes over the throne.
Until that day when there shall be
time no longer" men must put
away their sorrow and 60 on. Three
words characterize the commission
Of joshua
l. Promise wv. 20. God gave
the land to Israel Every place that
Joshua planted his foot upon was
TO be his possession, even as God
has promised Moses. A river lay
between: there were walled and
armed cities to be taken; there
were even giants in the land, but
God promised it to Joshua; and he
took it by faith.
God has given us many promises,
too. If we are fearful, poverty
stricken, powerless Christians, it is
because we do not believe God.
2. Power ". 81. No man is able
to stand against Gods servant who
is doing Gods will, in Gods way,
in God time. 1t was true of Joshua;
it is true today. Men set up their
opposition to Gods plan and pro-
gram with the assumed belief that
because they have position, power
or money, they can readily crush
The poor little band of Christian
workers. Russia tried it. They even
abolished" God. But religion
thrives in Russia, secretly perhaps,
but none the less sincerely and sue
cessfully. There is no power of man
or devil that can defeat the man
who does the will of God
3. Courage ". g.. To serve God
means to be assured of His help.
Faith lays hold of that fact and the
whole man becomes courageous.
But observe that the foundation of
courage is faith in Gods Word,
nurtured by meditation in it day
and night" w. y. The house of
courage can be built only on that
foundation.
III. An Experienced Man Gives
Counsel GA l42D.
More than two decades have
passed since the appointment of
Joshua to lead Israel. God has full
filed every promise. Israel is in
the Promised Land. Before the aged
leader dies he calls the leaders of
his people together to urge them to
continue in the way of faith and
loyalty to God. This he does by:
/. Example ". 15) LAS for me
and my house, we will serve the
Lord" No man can honestly and
effectively call others to devotion to
the Lord unless he sets them an ex-
ample. No one takes any stock
in the preacher or teacher who
says, DO as l say, not as l do"
We are more than signposts; we are
guides.
Instruction (vv. 1919. Remem-
bering Gods dealings with them,
the people declare their determina-
ton to serve the Lord They spoke
rather glibly. Joshua instructs
them. God is not interested in lip
service. He does not need them so
much as they need Him. He does
not look upon their confession of
Him, if they continue to live in sin.
g. Warning ". 20). God will visit
His judgment on His people if they
forsake Him and turn away-such