Who Will You Listen To?

I was reading to my wife at breakfast today from a book by Dr. Lillian B. Yeomans entitled “Healing From Heaven.”  The book which is a reprint of various lectures on divine healing was originally published in 1926.  Dr. Yeomans was the daughter of Canadian physician who had moved his family to the United States so that he could serve as a doctor for the Northern Army during the Civil War.  Following the death of her father she decided to continue in his footsteps and attended the University of Michigan in order to become a physician.  Her mother joined her there and together they completed their studies, passed their examinations and became doctors practicing in Canada.

Dr. Yeomans’ documented testimony tells how she eventually became hopelessly addicted to Morphine after taking the drug to relieve the stress and seemingly never ending pressures of the job.  After unsuccessfully trying all the known cures of the day, while sitting at death’s door, she finally turned to the Lord and was miraculously freed from any desires to take the drug.  After this she gave up her practice and spent the next forty years of her life preaching the Word and telling people of  God’s healing powers.  Dr. Yeomans passed on to her just reward at the age of 85, on December 9, 1942.

In the book Dr. Yeomans goes through the Old Testament showing the reader how God clearly unfolded His plan for divine healing for mankind from Genesis to Malachi.  As we were looking at one of the stories of the Children of Israel being led in the wilderness by Moses, I suddenly thought about my study earlier in the day when the Lord was telling Moses’ replacement Joshua about His plan for Joshua’s new job.  Very early in His description He told Joshua to “be strong and very courageous.” (Joshua 1:7 Gods Word ©)  I picture the Lord and Joshua discussing the new job description while sitting under the shade of a Yucca Brevifolia (commonly known as a Joshua Tree), when the Lord paused for a moment in order to gain Joshua’s full attention, looked him straight in the eyes and slowly, for effect said, “The key though my boy, is that you have to be strong and very courageous!”

The thought that took away my concentration as I was reading was the question of the real reason for that word of warning.  As I paused and considered it, a couple of things came to mind.  One was the immensity of the task set before Joshua and how he would have to totally depend on the Lord for it’s success and secondly, in preparation for all of the suggestions, criticism,  and murmurings that he would receive during the course of the campaign. 

Joshua 7:2-26 tells of a time when Joshua gave in to the pressure and yielded to the council of others.  It was a disaster in the making and ended up with the loss of 36 soldiers.  The very next chapter tells of the successful results of an attack on the same city when the Lord’s plans were followed.  This lesson brought to mind the added pressures that my wife and I have had to handle because of those who felt it necessary to give us (unnecessary, unknowing and erroneous) advice in the various stages of the journey that we have been on during the last few years.

The courage that the Lord was espousing Joshua to walk in was important as it would give him the strength that he needed to be able to trust the Lord and then pursue the unusual directions that he would receive, to be confident that he was hearing the Lord correctly, and then to weather the storms that arose from those who openly questioned and talked behind his back because of their mistrust in his ability to hear God!  (or was it because they couldn't trust God enough to help Joshua?)

The point is that Joshua had the ear and the anointing of God for this particular task, and the others around him did not!  I think that this is a key for each of us as we pursue the various tasks that the Lord has called us to accomplish for Him.  Many an individual will think it to be their responsibility to set us straight, but remember, we are the ones with the ear and anointing of the Lord for this calling – not them.  Our job is to stay true to His call, to stop, look and listen to what He has to say, and then to obey His directions and not yield to the suggestions of others who come across as though they may know more than God!

That is what sets a pioneer apart from those who come afterwards and settle into the comforts and safety of a land that has already been conquered and established.  So… back again to Joshua’s final encouragement to the people, “choose today whom you will serve (or listen to…)!”  (Joshua 24:15 God’s Word ©)  I think that I’ll stick with Joshua’s experienced reply and “as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”  (Joshua 24:15 NKJV)  How about you?  Have a great day.  Stay in tune to His Word and keep asking yourself… “What am I expecting today?”