A teaching by Rev. Barbara Williams, President of the Ministry of the Watchman International
Week of January 25-29, 2021
MONDAY
Now the children of Israel camped in Gilgal, and kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the month at twilight on the plains of Jericho. And they ate of the produce of the land on the day after the Passover, unleavened bread and parched grain, on the very same day. Then the manna ceased on the day after they had eaten the produce of the land; and the children of Israel no longer had manna, but they ate the food of the land of Canaan that year.
Joshua 5:10-12
The children of Israel have come to a new place in their walk with God. They are at a place called “Gilgal”, which means, “rolling.” God decides to roll away the reproach of Egypt from His people through circumcision and the keeping of the Passover. This is a wonderful thing to have happen in one’s life. Those of you who are born again know what that feeling and reality is like. You finally are free from the past, both mistakes and triumphs (both can be equally burdensome) and you have come into a place of freedom from your past and hope for a bright future.
Reproach is a bad thing. It produces shame. Shame will shackle you to fear and a reluctance to move ahead in life. If we are bound in any way, God will not be able to use us much. We must be free to serve the living God. Freedom allows us the confidence we need that God is with us.
We know that He will never leave us or forsake us, but what does that mean from day to day for most of us? When we face problems and obstacles, do we know that He will rescue us? Circumcision of the heart causes us to have that assurance. To the pure all things are pure.
If you are in need of healing, there is good news! Proverbs 4:20-22 SAYS:
My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.
So there is life and health in God’s word. Since God’s word is medicine, we must take it like we would a prescription. I suggest three times a day, like you would your food. Remember, healing is the children’s bread. Consider this your “dose” for today. Remember, read, and meditate three times a day the following:
Rx: John 5:6-9 ~ When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?”
The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.”
Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked. And that day was the Sabbath.
“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
2 Timothy 2:15
If you’ve never studied the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, we invite you to join us as we read through the Bible in a year. Read and meditate on these chapters this week:
January 25: Genesis 26, Matthew 25, Esther 2, Acts 25
January 26: Genesis 27, Matthew 26, Esther 3, Acts 26
January 27: Genesis 28, Matthew 27, Esther 4, Acts 27
January 28: Genesis 29, Matthew 28, Esther 5, Acts 28
January 29: Genesis 30, Mark 1, Esther 6, Romans 1
January 30: Genesis 31, Mark 2, Esther 7, Romans 2
January 31: Genesis 32, Mark 3, Esther 8, Romans 3
TUESDAY
Now the children of Israel camped in Gilgal, and kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the month at twilight on the plains of Jericho. And they ate of the produce of the land on the day after the Passover, unleavened bread and parched grain, on the very same day. Then the manna ceased on the day after they had eaten the produce of the land; and the children of Israel no longer had manna, but they ate the food of the land of Canaan that year.
Joshua 5:10-12
Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people. When we are a reproach as a nation we are disrespected by others. We are diminished in stature, favor, power and respect. Although we enjoy much freedom in this nation, a nation that tolerates sin is a reproach.
In our desire to have equality, we have allowed sin to prevail and become the tolerated norm, while we have persecuted the church, prayer and other shows of Godliness. This had caused the reproach and diminishing of our status in the eyes of the world, especially the world of judgment and false gods. False gods look for opportunities to accuse the brethren.
We have been accused before the throne of God. Remember Job? Satan walked in front of God’s throne and began accusing Job of having it in his heart to curse God if his material possessions were taken away. The same happens now. Will the American church and the American people turn away from God or toward Him if the stock market falls 1,000 points in one day?
WEDNESDAY
Now the children of Israel camped in Gilgal, and kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the month at twilight on the plains of Jericho. And they ate of the produce of the land on the day after the Passover, unleavened bread and parched grain, on the very same day. Then the manna ceased on the day after they had eaten the produce of the land; and the children of Israel no longer had manna, but they ate the food of the land of Canaan that year.
Joshua 5:10-12
I think we have answered that question. Even though we are taking God in low doses, we are turning back to God. The separation of church and state issue becomes a non-issue when our security and our lives are at stake. Cynics will say that the nation is only going through a period of fear, but God honors it anyway.
Acknowledging God in time of need is what God requires. He tells us to call upon Him, to seek Him, and we will find Him. After the attack of our country in September, 2001 we saw this in a very profound way. Every day that rescue efforts went on at ground zero, people were reminded to seek the Lord. Our loving God responds by removing the reproach of sin from us. That is the first order of business. He removes the former so that the latter will remain.
God responded by claiming ground zero as holy ground. There was an area of the fallen World Trade Center that was referred to as “God’s House” where a piece of metal in the shape of a cross positioned itself upright as it fell to the ground. The rescue workers considered this place sacred. Many went there and pray during their break from their rescue efforts. It stood a reminder that God loves and cares for them.
Every nation of the free world joined with the United States in fighting against this false god. The reproach has been rolled away, and our hearts have been circumcised. We can see God again.
THURSDAY
And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, a Man stood opposite him with His sword drawn in His hand. And Joshua went to Him and said to Him, “Are You for us or for our adversaries?”
So He said, “No, but as Commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.”
And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped, and said to Him, “What does my Lord say to His servant?”
Then the Commander of the Lord’s army said to Joshua, “Take your sandal off your foot, for the place where you stand is holy.” And Joshua did so.
Joshua 5:13-15
Joshua begins to move out to take a new territory that God has given him. He is building a new life for himself and the nation. But the future of the children of Israel will be certain, only if they can be assured that God is leading, protecting and guiding them.
Prayer for protection of our nation is critical at this time. We need to be placed firmly in the plan of God, for (as Joshua finds out) God is neither for us, nor for our enemies. He is for righteousness. The question is, “are we for Him?”
God decided this war in ages past. This war that we are engaged in is a war of spiritual forces that have an effect on human beings. There is no strictly earthly war. The forces of false gods have arrayed themselves against the god of heaven from ages past. They are merely using humans as pawns. God sees us as more than conquerors in this war. We must, however, fight on holy ground. Only God can declare a holy war, for He is the Lord of Armies. And the outcome of this war is predetermined. God wins!
I ask you, “Who is on the Lord’s side?”
FRIDAY
And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, a Man stood opposite him with His sword drawn in His hand. And Joshua went to Him and said to Him, “Are You for us or for our adversaries?”
So He said, “No, but as Commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.”
And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped, and said to Him, “What does my Lord say to His servant?”
Then the Commander of the Lord’s army said to Joshua, “Take your sandal off your foot, for the place where you stand is holy.” And Joshua did so.
Joshua 5:13-15
Holy ground represents the place of meeting with God and knowing God.
In September 2001, New York City and Washington, D.C. were declared holy ground by our God—the place where people finally look up and seek Him. It is the place where God reveals Himself to the people who want to win.
All the fighting men of Israel were under Joshua’s command waiting for orders and strategies. That’s what God wants to do. He wants to give us Divine strategies for this war. Not dreams and visions, but plans. We already have a vision of victory.
We know that Allah is false and cannot help these people who are deceived into following him. He cannot speak or hear, and his followers are just like him. We must pray for them to come to the knowledge of the truth.
We must also pray for our leaders to be granted the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation in the knowledge of God, and, most importantly, for the defeat of our enemies and the protection of our servicemen and women. Holy ground releases that kind of strategy. God has given us our instructions.
Are you willing to pray? Are you in it to win it?