Sermons
Vander Kam on Joshua 23:11
Sermons
Vander Kam on Joshua 23:11Joshua 23:11 – "'So take diligent heed to yourselves to love the Lord your God.'" (New American Standard Bible)
Beloved in the Lord: it is really a marvelous thing to be Reformed. And those are the things that we will also have to remind ourselves of again and again, that we realize how great are the riches that we have. That we have as it were, the thinking of the church of all ages, and the thinking of the very best minds that have been given to us and that we have entered into that heritage.
So that we may also again be enabled to see what the Word of God says to us concerning these things. In Philippians 2, those famous words which have been misconstrued so many times, "that we work out our own salvation." And those are the things that we are called upon to do. That we are to work it out, that we are to work it out in all details so that it is not merely the way of salvation, but that it is also everything else. That all of life is also encumbered by it and that all of life is also influenced by it. That there is not one step that we are going to take in this life that is separated from the Word of God, and that there is not one thing that we do or think or will that is separated from that Word, but that all things are under the scrutiny of the Word of God.
Now these are the things of course, that are very valuable to us and that we should also appreciate them. We ought to appreciate greatly that these things have been given to us already from many years back, and that we are to transmit to our children so that it is not merely one of these fundamentalistic things that is given to us, but that we will realize that there is real depth, depth of conviction, depth of soul, depth of meaning, depth of faith; these are the things that are given to us.
And nevertheless every once in a while we are to be called back to this, what is really the beginning of it all. What is really the heart of the whole matter? And that is the cross of Jesus Christ. That's where it all begins and that's where it ends; the cross of Christ. And for that purpose He has also instituted the sacraments so that we might again be faced with it, that it all depends on the cross of Christ, that He has given His life as a ransom for His people. That He has given His blood for you and me; that He has broken His body for you and me. That's what we need to come back to, and with that we then also work out our own salvation, with fear and trembling.
We speak to you this morning on: An Admonition to Love God. Very briefly first of all, the reason; secondly, the reasonableness; and finally, its keeping.
Now the reason why Joshua comes with these words at this particular time, beloved, is because of the fact that they have had that whole history that has been spoken of in the book of Joshua. They have had that whole history from the time that they have come to the borders of Canaan until now so that it is just about entirely vanquished. And now he says, you have come to this point, and he has led them all this way, he has also been with them in the wilderness, he was one of the two that did not fall in the wilderness, he and Caleb; and he is an old man and now he looks back upon this and he says, "now when you have rest, when you have come to this, when you have finally become the winners of it all, that you have gained the whole land of Canaan; now be sure that you love the Lord your God."
Now that is, there's good reason for that, there's good reason for that because it is the Lord their God that has given it to them. He spoke yet in a former verse, in verse 10, "one of your men puts to flight a thousand." One Israelite puts to flight a thousand men. Because the Lord your God is He who fights for you, just as he promised you. The Lord God and one Israelite is a majority; that's the emphasis. So that one Israelite is able to slay a thousand of the people of Canaan, and they had stood before these walled cities, these strongholds, and they were afraid, they feared greatly. That was the reason why they had spent forty years in the wilderness, because of that fear. They had said, we will not be able to take it, and as a result of that, they spent forty years going about in the wilderness, wandering about, just simply to pass the time. Because that's all that was necessary, they weren't going anywhere. They were going to fall in the wilderness, all except Joshua and Caleb.
And now he says, now that you have come to this place; now there is good reason for this, that you love the Lord your God. That's what it all has to come down to again, beloved, every time, every day; our love to the living God. "He has first loved us, says John, and therefore we love Him." His love to us is something that is not to be questioned. That is something that is clear; Israel may be assured of that. Had He not loved that people He would never have brought them to the point where they are now, when Joshua is speaking these words. He has loved them with a love that they could never have expected, a love so great that He has put everything else aside, so to speak, to bless His people. The blessings have poured upon them. They were in that howling wilderness which grew nothing, but they were fed for forty years. There wasn't a well in that whole wilderness for drink, and He brought them water out of the rock. It was unbelievable the way He has led them. They were faced with scorpions and snakes and everything else, and He delivered them out of them all. There were people that rose against them, nomads that rose against them; He delivered them. Now they come to Canaan and He delivers them there. Now, love the Lord your God. There's good reason for that.
See, whenever you have all these blessings, and we say we can't be thankful enough, then we say, it's amazing that the Lord loves us so. And then you'd better return that love. We better return it completely, fully; that's what we are called upon to do. This is an admonition to love Him. We are to love Him with all that we have, because He is "altogether lovable."
He is the One who has given us all things; He has not withheld anything. Finally, not even withholding His own Son, but has delivered Him up for us all. That love of God is unquestioned. And now we are called upon, an admonition to love God. See that you love the Lord your God. Don't let anything stand in the way of that, don't come to the conclusion, how great we are now that we have fenced cities, that we have walled cities. That we are now in a place so that we are able to pick the fruits of that which we have not planted. It's true; but don't just dwell on that; but love the Lord your God, because it is He who has given you all things to enjoy.
Now these are the things, the words that come to us also at the time of the Lord's Supper. Surely if anyone realizes that he is to love the Lord his God, he is able to see it here. Such love has never been seen; greater love has no man than that a man lay down his life for his friends. But when a man lays down his life for his enemies, "while we were yet enemies, Christ died for us." This is beyond all human comprehension. This goes so much farther than we are able to follow; this is unbelievable, practically. And therefore, see to it that you love the Lord your God. He is worthy of that love, and He demands it. That's what He requires.
And secondly, notice also, its reasonableness. You must remember that they have already entered into that rest; oh, that rest is not yet complete. He speaks of it also in this chapter that there are still some of these people that are still living here, some of these nations are still there, in part at least. And that they have to be on the lookout so that they are not to intermingle with them, and not to intermarry with them, because then the terror of God would descend upon them. And they are called upon to share in the love of God so that they may love Him.
Now the reasonableness of that beloved, is clear. It is clear that He is the One who has given them that rest, and that is the kind of a rest that they sought. There was no rest in the wilderness, of course. And that is a restless wandering, but now they have come into their rest, they have come into the land of promise; He has kept His promise. We often delay His promised fulfillment, but He keeps His promise. He has also cautioned us to keep our vows; don't you dare to go against them, even though you vowed to your hurt; keep them. We must keep our vows, and He keeps His, He keeps His promises, and therefore "Love the Lord your God."
We see the way in which He is displayed before us beloved, in the Word of God, is one that is, well, it would take a lifetime in the first place to look it all up, it would take a lifetime in order to search out all the ways of God wherein He has been gracious to us. It takes a lifetime to see how He has dealt with us personally; it is amazing. How He led us to where we are today, where we are this morning, and then see to it that you "love the Lord your God." That's not asking too much.
No, that is asking virtually nothing, that is asking only that which is reasonable. That is the one question that ought to be answered very carefully and very fully; that we love Him, and that we love Him with all our hearts, that we love Him and that there is no one else whom we love above Him. The Psalmist has spoken of that in Psalm 73; we sang of that a moment ago. He has bestowed that love on us and the Psalmist replies, "In love to Him," and that's what we find throughout the Psalms.
Aw, there are the times, of course, that they are dealing with the difficulties of life, and our life's difficulties are so great in our estimation. But see to it that you "love the Lord your God." You may not do anything less; that is the one thing that is required, and when you have done that, then all is well, that is reasonable. Because these too are always doing great things for the Lord; I have a question! I put a big question mark; we don't do that much for the Lord; He does tremendous things for us; but we don't do much for Him.
And that is not the first essential, that is not the first requirement; the first requirement is this, that you love Him. He is our Father, He is the God who has made us, who upholds us, who is also going to call us unto Himself. We are never separated from that love of God; nothing can separate us from it. Nothing can separate us from that in this life; it may not. As soon as anything separates us from that love, then you are in bad, bad shape. Then it is a terrible situation, and therefore Paul ends the eighth of Romans in this way, "I know that nothing shall separate us from the love of God. Shall death, or life, or sickness, or health, or principalities, or powers, or height, or depth? Nothing can separate us from the love of God that there is in Christ Jesus." And then nothing may separate us from loving Him, to love Him with all our hearts.
That is reasonable, that is not asking too much. But you have to love Him, not only lip service, but real love, the love of the heart. And we are going to look into that just a little bit more; but those are the things that are required of us. The requirements that He places before us are really rather minuscule. The things that He has given to us are bountiful, without number; the things required of us – now, that's, well, He gives us His law, and these are the things – but that's for our own benefit. If you don't do that, you are going to succumb. And then He says, "And now, love the Lord your God." And He who loves me, of course, keeps my commandments. These always go together. And the commands of God are not grievous, because they are based upon love. That is the way He deals with His people.
And finally, notice also, its keeping. But how do we keep this admonition, how do we fulfill it? Well, it is one of these things beloved, that is always a little bit difficult to pin down, to say, now this is the way it ought to be done. Nevertheless, we know what that love requires, we know what love requires of husband and wife, we know what love requires of parent and child, we know that. Even though there is a difference in the one home or in the other, the one child or with the other; nevertheless there is basic love, and that love has to be there, and if that love isn't there then all the bonds are broken, they are all cut off and there's nothing left.
Here we are called upon, and not only here but also throughout Holy Writ, we are called upon to love our God with our lips, we are to sing His praise, we are to glorify Him with our lips. We are the only ones of all creation that have a voice, that are able to sing His praises. Yah, the bird sings but he has to, that's the only thing he can do. But we have the ability not to, or to do it, to keep His commandments or not to. That awful responsibility is ours, and therefore comes an admonition to love God, to love the Lord your God. That's an admonition! To love Him with our lips so that we are the voice of all creation that sings the praises of the living God. That's what is required.
That we are so made in order that we may glorify Him. Glorify the Name of the living God. That is required of us. So that our love to Him is to be expressed, not only with our lips, but also with our hearts, our hearts are to go out to Him in love, in devotion. So that it brings under all the various things of life and that they are all geared to this one thing and that is, a love to the Lord our God. That's what we live for. What are you living for? An inheritance? A bank account? Living for fame, or things like that? No! These things all disappear. But we live for this one purpose, to love the Lord your God.
And now, says Joshua, you have gone through that wilderness, you have come into the land of promise, you are here almost at rest, there are few nations here yet and I will drive them out for you; but see to it that you love the Lord your God, because that is so necessary. And when that love is there, aw, then everything else falls into place. Then everything falls into place in such a way so that we realize, now we are in tune with His will. Now we are in tune with the will of the Almighty, now we are in tune with the will of our Father, the One who has made us, and has made us for Himself. That's His requirement, and that is the way it is kept. Kept by virtue of this, that we speak of it, and then that it is a life that is devoted to it. So that it is a life that speaks, that speaks volumes concerning our faith, that the life that I live is a witness to everybody, that I am a child of God, and that I thereby glorify my God, and that in all that we do, all of life brought subject to it, subject to this, that we love the Lord our God.
Now that is a requirement that is beautiful, it is an admonition, but it is at the same time an admonition that we would not do without. An admonition that simply shows us the lines that are to be drawn for it, but at the same time it is that which we also seek, we want to do that.
And then we come to the Lord's Supper which shows us the way. Now here it is, here His love is shown in such a way as it has never been before, as it is shown nowhere else from the beginning of the world until now. "When we were yet enemies, Christ died for us." That is the love of God in practice, that is the love of God made evident, and now you see to it that you love the Lord your God, He requires that. There has to be that recompense. If a husband loves his wife and she doesn't love him, then you have no home; or the other way around. It has to come from both sides. And He loves us, and now says Joshua; he's about ready to leave them, and the words of advice that he gives now in his farewell, because this and the following chapter are his farewell; and he says now, "Love the Lord your God. And if you do that, then everything will be all right." Oh, they're going to stumble in ever so many ways, but love Him, love Him. Don't ever lose sight of that. You too are going to stumble in ever so many ways and again the next three months, but love your God, and show that love, and speak of that love, and live it, and then we will fulfill the requirements that He has laid down for us. The Law, the commandment, to love the Lord our God. Amen.
We give thanks to Thee heavenly Father, for the Word wherein Thou hast spoken to us. Grant that we may then also learn to love the Lord our God, and that it may be a love and a devotion to Thee which never fails. Wilt Thou so lead us further Father, wilt Thou so guide us, in order that we may also come as worthy partakers of the Table of Thy Son, and that we may recognize His love for us. Hear us in Jesus our Redeemer's Name. Amen.
Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE, © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.
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