Disneyland 2012

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Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses my servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. Joshua 1:7

In the previous verses God calls out Joshua after the death of Moses, to lead the Israelites to the land God promised to them.  God specifically tells Joshua exactly where their territory will be and that Joshua was to divide the land for God's people.  Such a task would not be easy, for Joshua knew and have witnessed the stubbornness and rebelliousness of God's people, Israel.  So God encourages Joshua to not be afraid, to be of good courage, and gives Joshua assurance that He will never leave Joshua nor forsake him. God says, "as I was with Moses, so I will be with you."

Every start of a new year, people hope, and pray, that the new year would be better than the last.  They wish each other a happy new year, a blessed new year, a prosperous new year.  Here I read of how God told Joshua the secret to a prosperous life.

do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.

Do not turn from what to the right hand or to the left?  Observing to do according to all the law which Moses commanded him.  But it's impossible for us to observe all the law because we're sinners! Then that means it's impossible to live a prosperous life! Or is it?

Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets.  I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. Matthew 5:17

There is one who fulfilled all the law.  Who was in all points tempted, yet never sinned.  There is one, the One, Jesus Christ, you know, the one we just recently celebrated a birthday, yeah, that's Him, He's the One, the perfect One, who bore our sins for us, who rose again and is coming again for us.

Putting our trust and having faith and believing in Him, not turning to other things (to the right hand) or to other people (to the left), that is the only way we can live a prosperous life, where ever life brings us-whether to the hills, or the valleys-we do not have to be afraid, we can be strong and be very courageous facing life knowing that God will never leave us nor forsake us.  

For me this is my aim for this year.  To keep my eyes fixed on Jesus.  Not turn to my right or my left, but to look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.  Will it prevent me from tragedies, heartaches, or even unemployment?  No.  But I can rest and have peace even in the midst of trials, knowing that God will be with me, as He was with His servants in times past.

A chorus from an old hymn says it best:

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.  Because He lives, all fear is gone.  Because I know, (I know!), who holds the future.  And life is worth the living just because He lives!

Grey hair

Prov. 16:31 The hoary head [is] a crown of glory, [if] it be found in the way of righteousness.

Found my first real visible grey hair recently and a sense of sadness overwhelmed me. Sadness because in my frail eyes I saw it symbolic of a downhill course of life, a departure from youth and beauty. It sickened my stomach. I began to reminisce of the days when I was in my "prime" -in external beauty, physical strength, and empty mind ready to be filled with the knowledge the world would offer.

Knowledge the world offered despised age, however. Aging is the one thing the world tries to prevent, we put anti-aging creams, we encourage taking in sustenance that would slow down the process of aging and various different colored hair dyes are available to "cover up" and restore original hair color in place of the "awful" grey that's come to be there. The world doesn't respond to old age very kindly.

Stumbling upon this verse in scripture gave me peace this morning. That its ok that I'm getting older. To have a head of grey hair bestows wisdom, a sense of achievement and respect-that is, if I am walking with Christ, my righteousness. It should not be something that needs to be covered up, it should be something worn openly and proudly (not in an unhealthy kind of proud though), because it is quite an achievement to live so long upon this earth. Grey hair to me now symbolizes God's grace upon me that I am able to live a full, long life because of Him. Grey hair shows great wisdom, specially to the one who is walking with the Lord.

It ought to be taught young people to embrace aging, and to see the old with great respect. Those who have grey hair ought not be ashamed of them, for their grey hair is a testament of God's grace, mercy, and His goodness.