Altars of Renewal: Obedience of the Heart

 Lessons of Faith from Joshua - Sabbath School Lesson 7 - Tuesday: Altrs of Renewal 

Altars of Renewal

Read Joshua 8:30–31

After Israel’s victory at Ai, Joshua built an altar on Mount Ebal, offering burnt offerings and presenting the Law of God before all the people (Joshua 8:30–31). This act was not just ceremonial; it was a deliberate reaffirmation of the covenant God had made with His people. By doing so, Joshua was reminding Israel that victory in battle was never independent of obedience to God’s commands. The Law was their guide, their standard, and their source of blessing (Deuteronomy 11:26–30; 27:2–10).

Even in the midst of war, Joshua prioritized covenant faithfulness over immediate gains. He demonstrated that spiritual obedience comes first, and that our victories are most meaningful when aligned with God’s will. This principle echoes through Scripture:

“For all the promises of God find their Yes in Him. That is why it is through Him that we utter our Amen to God for His glory.” — 2 Corinthians 1:20

Jesus came to fulfill the Law and bring humanity back into true obedience and relationship with God. Through Him, the ultimate “altar” of reconciliation has been established, offering us direct access to God’s grace and the ability to live in covenant relationship with Him.

Reflection
Just as Joshua built a physical altar to renew Israel’s commitment, we too can create spiritual “altars” in our daily lives. These may include regular prayer, reading and meditating on Scripture, corporate worship, acts of service, and intentional moments of reflection or confession. Each act becomes a tangible reminder of God’s presence and our ongoing commitment to Him. The essence of an altar is not the structure itself, but the posture of the heart — a willingness to seek God first, offer ourselves fully, and align our lives with His commands.

Prayer
Lord, help me build altars in my heart and in my life. Teach me to prioritize obedience to Your Word above all else and to remember that true victory comes through faithfulness to You. May my thoughts, actions, and choices reflect a heart fully devoted to Your covenant. Strengthen me to live in alignment with Your will and to honor You in all I do. Amen.

Passover: Remembering the Lamb

 Lessons of Faith from Joshua - Sabbath School Lesson 7 - Monday: Passover

Remembering the Lamb
Read Joshua 5:10

As the Israelites stood ready to conquer Canaan, Joshua could have rushed into battle, seizing the land while their enemies were weakened. Yet he made a remarkable decision: he paused to celebrate the Passover (Joshua 5:10). This was not mere tradition or ritual; it was a profound act of obedience and remembrance. Even amid pressing tasks, God’s covenant and redemption took precedence over immediate gain.

The Passover had been instituted decades earlier as a memorial of God’s deliverance from Egypt: each family was to sacrifice the lamb at twilight (Exodus 12:6), and the festival was to be observed annually as a holy assembly (Leviticus 23:5; Numbers 28:16). Through this act, God’s people remembered that salvation comes from His power and mercy, not their strength. By keeping the Passover, Joshua was teaching Israel that God’s past faithfulness must guide their present and future.

Beyond remembrance, Passover foreshadowed Christ. The lamb slain in Egypt pointed forward to Jesus, the Lamb of God, whose blood redeems humanity from sin (John 1:29). The sacrifice of the Lamb prefigured the ultimate deliverance — freedom from sin and death. John in Revelation offers a glorious vision of this final redemption:

“…the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His Bride has made herself ready… Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb!” — Revelation 19:6-9

The Lord’s Supper continues this remembrance, inviting us to keep the reality of Christ’s sacrifice central in our lives. Even when we are not celebrating the Lord’s Supper, there are ways to keep the Cross ever before us: meditating on Scripture, sharing our testimony of grace, living in gratitude, and allowing our daily choices to reflect His love. These small acts are spiritual reminders that salvation is not a past event alone, but a present reality guiding every moment.

Reflection
Joshua reminds us that obedience and remembrance should not be postponed for busyness or expedience. By keeping the Passover before conquest, he taught that victory flows from God’s faithfulness and that remembering His salvation equips us for the battles ahead. Today, the Cross is our Passover; the Lamb has been slain, and through Him, we are called to live in constant awareness of His redeeming power.

Prayer
Lord, help me never to take Your sacrifice for granted. Teach me to remember the reality of the Cross daily, not only in celebration but in my choices, words, and actions. May I live in the freedom Your blood has purchased, keeping my heart aligned with Your will and ready to reflect Your love. Amen.

Covenant First...Before Conquest

 Lessons of Faith from Joshua - Sabbath School Lesson 7 - Sunday: Covenant First

Covenant First

Read Joshua 5:1–7

As Israel crossed the Jordan and stepped into Canaan, the mighty kings of the land trembled. This was a moment of military advantage — the perfect time to strike while the enemy was paralyzed with fear. Yet God issued a surprising command: stop, pause, and circumcise the second generation of Israelites before advancing. Human logic would say, “Move forward! Don’t slow down now!” But God’s logic was clear: before victory, covenant. Before battles, relationship.

Circumcision was the physical sign of belonging to God — a mark of loyalty, identity, and faith (Genesis 17:10–14). It celebrated their deliverance from Egypt and affirmed their commitment to the God who saved them. By asking Israel to renew this covenant, God reminded them that success didn’t depend on speed, strategy, or strength — but on faithful connection to Him. They were not merely warriors; they were His chosen people.

Jesus echoes this truth centuries later:

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” — Matthew 6:33

Victory flows from relationship, not rushing.

Paul later clarifies that true devotion is not about outward ritual alone, but the inward posture of the heart:

“…circumcision is of the heart, by the Spirit…” — Romans 2:29

Still, outward obedience matters — not as empty ritual, but as evidence of a heart that honors God. Joshua 5 reminds us that sometimes the most spiritual thing we can do is stop striving and put God first, even when it feels impractical or delayed. Covenant precedes conquest. Worship precedes warfare.

Reflection
How often do we let “urgent” things push God aside? Work deadlines, school schedules, social commitments, endless tasks — and suddenly, time with God feels optional. It’s easy because the world rewards productivity, not prayer; movement, not stillness; progress, not pause. But spiritual strength always flows from connection with God, not activity alone.

We fight this by choosing to seek God first — in the morning, before decisions, before battles, before rushing. We fight by remembering that skipping time with God makes us weaker, not stronger. Just like Israel couldn’t conquer without covenant, we cannot live victoriously without communion with Him.

Prayer
Lord, teach me to seek You first. Forgive me for the times I have rushed into my day without making room for You. Help me value covenant over convenience, Your presence over my plans, and obedience over urgency. Circumcise my heart — set me apart for You. Strengthen me to put You first in every battle, every decision, and every moment. May my life reflect devotion both inwardly and outwardly. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Guarding the Heart in a World of More

 Lessons of Faith from Joshua - Sabbath School Lesson 6 -  Friday Afterthought.

Guarding the Heart in a World of More

Read: Exodus 20:17; Luke 12:15; Philippians 4:11–13

“You shall not covet.” At first glance, the tenth commandment may seem hidden in the shadows of the others. We easily recognize why God forbids murder or theft. But coveting? In our world today—where advertisements flash at every turn, where “you deserve this” is a daily slogan, and where worth is often measured by what we own—this commandment has never been more relevant. Coveting is not merely wanting something; it is allowing desire to rule the heart, to grow into dissatisfaction with God’s provision, and to believe that happiness lies in having more.

Modern consumer culture thrives on discontentment. Companies invest billions to awaken desire: If only you had this phone, this car, this home, this lifestyle—then you’d be fulfilled. Yet the Bible warns us: “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses” (Luke 12:15). Coveting is subtle. It doesn’t always shout—it quietly erodes gratitude and pushes us toward comparison, envy, and unrest.

So how do we distinguish between wants and needs in a world shouting “more”?

A need sustains life, purpose, and stewardship of God’s calling—food, shelter, clothing, health, tools to serve. A want enhances comfort and pleasure but is not required for faithfulness or wellbeing. Wants are not sinful in themselves; God delights to give good gifts. The danger lies when wants become demands, when they dominate our thoughts and replace God as our ultimate satisfaction.

Practically, distinguishing between wants and needs begins with intentional questions:
Do I need this to fulfill God’s purpose, or do I simply crave it?
Will this draw me closer to Christ, or feed comparison and pride?
Am I seeking joy in a thing, or in the Giver of every good thing?

Learning to say "enough" is a spiritual discipline. Paul testified, “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content” (Phil. 4:11). Contentment does not come naturally—it is learned, cultivated through prayer, gratitude, simplicity, and trust in God's faithful care. When we anchor our desires in Christ, the world’s allure weakens. We begin to see possessions as tools, not treasures; blessings, not identity; gifts to share, not idols to hoard.

The distinction matters because covetousness affects eternity. It shapes the heart—toward worship of God or worship of self and stuff. Coveting blinds us to God’s goodness today and chases a future God never promised. True joy is found not in having more, but in trusting the One who is enough.

Reflection Prayer
Lord, guard my heart from coveting. Teach me to delight in Your provision, to be grateful for what You have given, and to trust You for what I need. Help me recognize the difference between wants and needs, and find my contentment in You alone. Amen.

Reflection Questions
• What usually triggers discontent or comparison in my life?
• Where might God be inviting me to simplify or surrender?
• How can I practice gratitude today to cultivate contentment?

Sabbath School Lesson 7: Ultimate Loyalty: Worship in a War Zone

 Lessons of Faith from Joshua \

Sabbath School Lesson 7

Ultimate Loyalty: Worship in a War Zone

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