Nothin’ comes easy if it’s worth anything.”
–Elmer Kelton (The Way of the Coyote)
“About forty thousand prepared for war crossed over before the LORD for battle, to the plains of Jericho.”
“About forty thousand prepared for war crossed over before the LORD for battle, to the plains of Jericho.”
–Joshua 4:13 (NKJV)
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Last Sunday was Pastor Appreciation Day at our church. That took my mind to an incident that is found in Joshua, chapter 3.
“Then the priests who bore the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan; and all Israel crossed over on dry ground, until all the people had crossed completely over the Jordan.”
–Joshua 3:17(NKJV)
Think of those four priests (perhaps eight depending on how long the staves were) hoisting the ark of the covenant standing where once the Jordan flowed.
First they were told by Joshua to “take up the ark of the covenant and cross over before the people.” (3:6) Second, they obeyed, “So they took up the ark of the covenant and went before the people.” (3:6) We see here a command and the response through obedience. Move on over to the next chapter, “So the priests who bore the ark stood in the midst of the Jordan until everything was finished that the LORD had commanded Joshua to speak to the people, according to all that Moses had commanded Joshua; and the people hurried and crossed over. Then it came to pass, when all the people had completely crossed over, that the ark of the LORD and the priests crossed over in the presence of the people.” (4:10-11, NKJV)
Think of the audacity, the fear, the courage of those ministers of the Lord. Remember, we are told (3:15) that the Jordan was in flood stage, but when the foot of the priests bearing the ark entered the river the flow stopped. Now, I cannot explain the miracle, I can’t even imagine how the water backed up or for how far. Perhaps there was more than one miracle involved, no matter–the priests stood in the midst of the Jordan.
Several questions came to my mind. What were their thoughts looking back at the stopped river? How long did it take the multitude to cross? Did the same priests stay in position or were they relieved at some point? Did they fear that the waters may break loose, or were they resolved to trust in God?
Think of the pressure of the ark as it was hoisted high. Those priests had to bear the burden for hours, perhaps days until all the people had crossed over. Aching arms, tired legs, thirsty, burdened with the load they stood fast in their duty and obligation.
I thought then of my pastor with all his load. Today’s problems are multitudinous for sure. Culture, society, and political pressure is now upon the pastor who must bear the burden for the people on top of what his obligations are to the local congregation. In the midst of an epidemic of pestilence the pastor must continue to minister. I just finished reading a book about the preachers to the lumberjack in the upper MidWest at the beginning of the last century. At one point the state closed down meetings for the flu and diphtheria epidemics were so bad. The ministers went from house to house praying and reading God’s Word. Finally, at one point they defied the mandate and held open meetings. People were saved, bodies were healed and the epidemic soon passed. Brave men, not only in facing the sickness and visiting those homes, but also in defying the government and obeying instead God.
The pastor–holds a severe burden. His responsibility before the Lord is great. Therefore, it is up to the people to hold him up in prayer. It is up to the people to exhort him, to commend him, and once in a while pat him on the back. He doesn’t do it for the accolades, but because it is his reasonable service; it is what he is called to do despite disease, storm, pestilence, or any other obstacle that may be thrown in his pathway.
The Lord performed the miracle. Joshua led the people and gave the order. However, we often forget the length of the burden that was that of the priests holding the ark. Don’t neglect to pray and uphold your pastor. Do not make it a one-day a year thing. As he has an obligation so you do as well–appreciate him every day of the year.
———————————
Last Sunday was Pastor Appreciation Day at our church. That took my mind to an incident that is found in Joshua, chapter 3.
“Then the priests who bore the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan; and all Israel crossed over on dry ground, until all the people had crossed completely over the Jordan.”
–Joshua 3:17(NKJV)
Think of those four priests (perhaps eight depending on how long the staves were) hoisting the ark of the covenant standing where once the Jordan flowed.
First they were told by Joshua to “take up the ark of the covenant and cross over before the people.” (3:6) Second, they obeyed, “So they took up the ark of the covenant and went before the people.” (3:6) We see here a command and the response through obedience. Move on over to the next chapter, “So the priests who bore the ark stood in the midst of the Jordan until everything was finished that the LORD had commanded Joshua to speak to the people, according to all that Moses had commanded Joshua; and the people hurried and crossed over. Then it came to pass, when all the people had completely crossed over, that the ark of the LORD and the priests crossed over in the presence of the people.” (4:10-11, NKJV)
Think of the audacity, the fear, the courage of those ministers of the Lord. Remember, we are told (3:15) that the Jordan was in flood stage, but when the foot of the priests bearing the ark entered the river the flow stopped. Now, I cannot explain the miracle, I can’t even imagine how the water backed up or for how far. Perhaps there was more than one miracle involved, no matter–the priests stood in the midst of the Jordan.
Several questions came to my mind. What were their thoughts looking back at the stopped river? How long did it take the multitude to cross? Did the same priests stay in position or were they relieved at some point? Did they fear that the waters may break loose, or were they resolved to trust in God?
Think of the pressure of the ark as it was hoisted high. Those priests had to bear the burden for hours, perhaps days until all the people had crossed over. Aching arms, tired legs, thirsty, burdened with the load they stood fast in their duty and obligation.
I thought then of my pastor with all his load. Today’s problems are multitudinous for sure. Culture, society, and political pressure is now upon the pastor who must bear the burden for the people on top of what his obligations are to the local congregation. In the midst of an epidemic of pestilence the pastor must continue to minister. I just finished reading a book about the preachers to the lumberjack in the upper MidWest at the beginning of the last century. At one point the state closed down meetings for the flu and diphtheria epidemics were so bad. The ministers went from house to house praying and reading God’s Word. Finally, at one point they defied the mandate and held open meetings. People were saved, bodies were healed and the epidemic soon passed. Brave men, not only in facing the sickness and visiting those homes, but also in defying the government and obeying instead God.
The pastor–holds a severe burden. His responsibility before the Lord is great. Therefore, it is up to the people to hold him up in prayer. It is up to the people to exhort him, to commend him, and once in a while pat him on the back. He doesn’t do it for the accolades, but because it is his reasonable service; it is what he is called to do despite disease, storm, pestilence, or any other obstacle that may be thrown in his pathway.
The Lord performed the miracle. Joshua led the people and gave the order. However, we often forget the length of the burden that was that of the priests holding the ark. Don’t neglect to pray and uphold your pastor. Do not make it a one-day a year thing. As he has an obligation so you do as well–appreciate him every day of the year.