As we went through the Bible, we came to the book of Joshua – (last week we looked at about 200 years) – and under Joshua’s leadership, the people begin to take over the land.

There is a great victory – success – everything was going very well – and then disappointment and disaster in Chapter 7. It’s a long chapter, and it’s a sad chapter.

This is also part of our experience: things seem to be going very well and sin creeps in or invades, and we have to face the consequences.

Achan is found, detected and destroyed! Verses 13 to 25.

Sin cannot be hidden. “Look, your sin will reveal you.” Numbers 32 verse 23. It is not just that your sin will be discovered, you will be discovered!

We don’t get away with it. This is a moral Universe: our moral God watches over the affairs of men.

Jesus speaks of hidden things that will one day be revealed. Luke 8 verse 17 – and 12 verses 1-3

Joshua Chapter 14 verses 13 and 14 – we see here who Hebron belongs to – and what kind of man Caleb was – with all his heart. Wholeheartedly is vitally important.

The land is assigned to the various tribes.

Chapters 23 and 24: Joshua has important things to say to the people of Israel.

24 verse 31 – Leadership is vital. And everything related to leadership is crucial: our testimony, our testimony, our behavior, the way we step in, what we say, the example we show, how we leave.

So Israel was led by judges. Chapter 3 vers.9.

There was Gideon. Judges Chapter 6 verse 15 – How can I save Israel? It is often the humble and insignificant man whom God chooses and uses.

Israel became what we would call a world power.

Chapter 11: 29-40 – There was Jephthah. Be careful what you say, be very careful what you do and promise, verse 30.

Chapter 13 – There was Samson. His strength came from God. It seems quite normal. He was not a bodybuilder, nor a ‘Charles Atlas’, or else we would know where his strength was. His strength was in God.

Even Jesus looked very ordinary, Jesus had to be pointed out in the Garden of Gethsemane, that’s the Man you should arrest.

But Samson was careless the day he exercised power; We must be careful not to become careless when it comes to our duties and responsibilities.

We turn to the days of Samuel. Hannah prayed, and Samuel was born, who can tell the powerful effects of prayer?

Samuel became a judge, a ruler, in Israel, but the people wanted to be like all other nations, and they asked for a king, chapter 8.

Israel’s Prime Minister Ytzhak Rabin said this when he was elected: We want to be like any other nation. Deep down, they resented God’s rule over them.

Saul was anointed king, and kings are expensive. The government is expensive. Holyrood is expensive, but this is what Scotland asked for. People did not ask for that building and all these costs and expenses, but that accompanies the government.

The Bible explains all this in the 8th chapter of Judges.

Samuel talks to Israel in chapter 12, and then he has to deal with Saul, who started out well, but deteriorated, when he tries to do the work of a priest. Stay within your delegated and related calling.

Chapter 15 describes Saul’s disobedience as he forgives Amalek.

Failure to follow God’s instructions, however inconsistent with reason, always results in great spiritual loss.

Saul kills the priests of God – Chapter 22 – is influenced by an evil spirit – visits a witch – and the Spirit of God departs from Saul – 16 verse 14.

Another man is anointed king – Chapter 16 – and is the most unlikely man in his entire family – perhaps even in all of Bethlehem – David.

But eventually he is raised up by God to become a mighty king, with flaws and flaws and failures, and a spectacular failure, for which he was forgiven. He writes about this period of his life in Psalm 51. He faced opposition from various quarters. “Do not take your Holy Spirit from me.”

See the Hand of our Almighty God behind everything that is happening, and if you are aware that the Hand of God is on your life, then trust Him for tomorrow and the next day.

“Almighty God – in the Name of Jesus we adore and praise You – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – we see Your Hand from Creation onward – and we give thanks that we are called to be part of your plan and purpose – let us remain faithful and Loyal and loving, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. “

“Your Hand, oh God, has guided – Your flock from age to age –

The wonderful story is written, completely clear on every page. “