The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1938-06-30
Lesson for July 3
A CHOICE OF LOYALTIES


LESSON TEXT-Joshua 1926: 24:14-21.
GOLDEN TEXT-As for me and my
house, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15.
PRIMARY TOPIC-Choosing Sides.
JUNIOR TOPIC-A Loyal Leader.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
A Choice of Loyalties.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
Mans Highest Allegiance.
Olives of great men all remind
u.s." 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, if
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
billions, but which also reveal what
God can do through those who are
ready to follow Him.
Moses, Gods great leader for
Israel, 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.
1. A Prepared Man Takes Com
mand Q:3-6).
"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 go on. Three
words characterize the commission.
1. Promise wv. 2-4). 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 we're 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 Gods 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.
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.
III. An Experienced Man Gives
Counsel (24:142D.
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:
1. Example ". 15). Gas 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.
2. Instruction wv. 16-19). Remem-
bering Gods dealings with them,
the people declare their determine
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.
8. Warning ". 2O). God will visit
His judgment on His people if they
forsake Him and turn away-such
is Joshua's warning. We who look
back to the history of Israel know
that they did forsake Him, and that
the judgment of God is still upon
them. "Be not deceived; God is
not Knocked: for whatsoever a man
soweth, that shall he also reap"
(Gal. SD is Gods warning through
Paul to the Christian.
Be T0rch-Bearer
KEN