Christian Living

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Larry Lilly's Letter Thursday July 17, 2008

Sunday past I spoke on the necessity and the desirability of taking care of yesterday in such a way as to render it ineffective in bugging, even destroying us as we limp through life.

That "yesterday" is a problem for most of the human race is evidenced by the proliferation of psychiatric counseling, what health officials are calling the sleep debt and a general tiredness of Mr. and Mrs. America and I suppose all the ships at sea.

Joshua, the successor of Moses, gave a speech during his last days on earth and he went right to the heart of the problem in his grand sermon in chapter 24 of the book that carries his name.

In essence he instructed the fickle children of the Exodus pioneers to apply a few principles and get on with accomplishing the Lord's will in their personal and national life.

In a nutshell getting over yesterday involves a thankful heart brought about by Remembering the Grace of God. God had given them several blessing which they did not earn, one being deliverance from the bondage of the cruel Pharaoh of Egypt, along with taking care of them during their faithless wilderness wanderings and then the providing the abundant fruited plains of Canaan. Remembering the good times is always more healthful than fretting over the tough knocks along the way. They were also to hold God in Awe. None of this old guy in a rocking chair stuff. He knew we have enough trouble without having the check God's oxygen bottle.

He instructed the gathered throng to make the Resolve necessary to perform Service in sincerity and truth, in simple terms get with God's program without using it as a stepping stone to fulfill your own agenda. I read the other day of commencement speech given by Albert Schweitzer in which he said:

"I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I do know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve."

Joshua said the same thing long, long ago.

Joshua gave a threefold instruction about three major areas of life, in verse 14-15 he talks about serving false gods in Egypt, the 40 years in the wilderness and current gods of the Amorites in whose land they were currently living. In my humble opinion Joshua was referring to genetic baggage, "I am a victim of my genes." Next, "I am a victim of personal past actions." And lastly, "I am a victim of current addictions in many forms." More people are addicted to hatred than Morphine. History, yesterday and the current environment are not excuses for a defeated, whining attitude.

Joshua’s solution is simple. Put away excuses. The phrase "Put Away" is used in a number of places in the scripture and the primary meaning is to "Dismiss from your house with no legal recourse for re-entry. A cutting off." The term "cutting off" is a euphemism for death.

Get forgiveness where necessary, and cut out the mental and emotional reliving of yesterday's sins. This is primarily done through faith in Christ to remove yesterday.

Larry Lilly Copyright © 2008 Use with credit.

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