July 3rd

Joshua 5     Isaiah 65     Psalms 132-134     (Click on the Reference to go to the passage)

A new start, a new beginning:

Israel has at last entered Canaan; a new start is marked by three signs. First, a physical sign, all males are circumcised (a reference back to Gen 17:8 where the promise of land is given to Abraham and marked by circumcision). Secondly, it is marked by a change in diet, the manna, which they had been relying on (Joshua 5:12), stopped overnight, as they could now eat locally grown barley grain. Thirdly, Joshua had a vision, a divine commission for the task ahead.

How can we mark a new start in our life? We could mark it right now by living in unity with our Christian brothers, Psalm 133:1 and praising the Lord by lifting up our hands, Psalm 134:2. We also look forward to the new heaven and new earth described today by Isaiah, Isaiah 65:17.  The valley of Achor in Isaiah 65:10 is so named in Joshua 7:4 as a place of trouble but it will be a place of hope.

Think about what signs you can show today that you have entered a new life in Christ. What diet does your mind and body feed on? Do we bear outwardly the name of Christ? Do we look forward to that new heaven and earth? Finally how can we live in unity with our fellow Christians?

(crèche helper)