Year 4, Day 206: Joshua 21

Theological Commentary: Click Here 

Discipleship Focus: Abide

• Abide: This is a moment, day, or even a season when we focus on God.  It is a time when we are rejuvenated by God.  It is the time for us to gather up what we will need for the coming growth after a season of pruning.  However, abiding is not the end.  We abide so that we can grow, bear fruit, prune, and abide again.

At the end of this chapter we have a really cool moment.  The land has been mostly conquered.  The native inhabitants have been mostly removed.  The divisions of the land have been accomplished.  The work is winding down.  And what do we see the people doing?  They get a moment to rest.

This is a really cool reminder of the rhythms of life.  We know that the proper rhythm is abide > grow > bear fruit > prune > abide.  We abide so that we have what it takes to do the work of God.  But so often we forget that when the work is over we need to prune and rest, too.  It makes sense to rest before we work, but it is easy to forget to abide after we’re done.

Abiding after we work helps us to process what we’ve done.  It helps us process what God said to us through our obedience.  It helps us feel the joy from having a job well done.  Abiding after the job is done is natural, healthy, and a part of the godly rhythm.

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