Pastor Bell's Words To Live By

At that time the LORD said to Joshua, “Make flint knives and circumcise the Israelites again.” So Joshua made flint knives and circumcised the Israelites at Gibeath Haaraloth. Now this is why he did so: All those who came out of Egypt—all the men of military age—died in the desert on the way after leaving Egypt. All the people that came out had been circumcised, but all the people born in the desert during the journey from Egypt had not. The Israelites had moved about in the desert forty years until all the men who were of military age when they left Egypt had died, since they had not obeyed the LORD. For the LORD had sworn to them that they would not see the land that he had solemnly promised their fathers to give us, a land flowing with milk and honey. So he raised up their sons in their place, and these were the ones Joshua circumcised. (Joshua 5:2-7a NIV).

Following God is not straight forward

One of the things that God hates among his people are those who constantly complain and moan. This mindset is one which always harps back to the past. Well it was far better for me when I was in the world; I never had to struggle like this, and so on and on…

A leader cannot work with people like this, as soon as you take one step forward they, the moaning minority, find something to complain about. It is for this reason that God allowed those who came out of Egypt to die in the wilderness. There are several lessons for us to learn here.

1. When you come out of bondage, develop an attitude of gratitude, that is learn to give thanks whilst serving the Lord rather than complaining about the situation. God dwells in the praises of his people (Psa. 22:3).
2. Circumcise you heart to the lord, be committed to him so that when you are going through a dry place, praise him for his promises and remind him of them. To circumcise is to be separated to! God always keeps his promises. Delay is not denial!
3. Remember that wherever God is, is holy, even in the desert place. So revere him. 

After waiting at Gilgal until the fighting men were healed, Joshua encountered the commander of the arm of the Lord, v.13 who had come to capture Jericho for him.

Today, allow the Lord to fight your battles. Circumcise your hearts to him, trust him and he will send his angels to deliver you from all your troubles.

Read Joshua 5