Somedays life is just hard. The believers hearing 1 John were given a reminder that their faith in Jesus is meant to be a foundation that they can lean on, trust in, and stand on no matter what life sends their way. That learning about Jesus and growing in their faith is wonderful and central, but not to fall into a trap of thinking that their faith rests in their head, but instead rests in the Holy Spirit’s work in their lives.
Throughout the old testament the Israelites were instructed to set up cities of sanctuary for those fleeing from unjust punishment. Joshua 20 can teach us what it means to care for others and what it means to build our lives for the purpose of serving others.
I have heard it too many times, I guess all we can do is pray, as if prayer is a small thing. But we know in scripture prayer can do BIG things, and can answer prayers in ways that are more than we could ever imagine.
Stories are powerful. They can remind us of favorite memories, impactful people, and formative experiences. By Joshua 4 the Jewish people have a “this isn’t Kansas anymore” moment as they stand on the edge of the land God was leading them to. But before they step into the next chapter of that journey, they pause, to remember all that God has already done, and to be sure they don’t forget as they step into the next part of their journey.