Sherelyn is the wife of Mark Mayberry, who labors with the Adoue Street congregation in Alvin, TX as an evangelist and elder. She can be reached at sherelynmayberry@live.com.

WOMEN’S INSIGHTS

While upon this earth, we dwell in a temporary abode looking for a heavenly home. Are we, like Joshua, willing to stand with courage and say, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord”?

The song begins, “We are bound for Canaan land, tenting by the way...” Living on earth, we are pilgrims dwelling in homes that are useful during our sojourn here below. These temporary shelters house us as we travel on our road to heaven. We begin our journey in this life, and if we choose wisely, we will live for all eternity with our Lord and King.

Whom will you choose to be your king? Will you select the devil, or God, as your ruler? If God is the choice, you can be a fellow citizen in His kingdom with the saints of all ages. After becoming a member of the church, God’s kingdom, by being baptized and living faithfully, you can look forward to a better country, a heavenly home (Acts 2:38, 41, 47; Heb. 11:15-16). Christ now sits next to God in heaven, reigning over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end (Luke 1:32-33; Heb. 1:8). You can choose to serve a perfect King for all eternity.

As the Israelites left Egypt, they came to the Red Sea. Pharaoh was pursuing them with his army. Frightened, they began to doubt. They cried out to the Lord, and Moses said that He would save them (Exod. 14:10, 13-31). The waves miraculously parted, and the Israelites marched across on dry ground. After all safely passed, the Egyptians entered the dry sea bed, and the walls of water came crashing down. The foe met its end. Trusting God for deliverance is critical.

When Jesus came to Peter, walking on the water, Peter asked to be commanded to come to Him. Stepping out of the boat, Peter came to Jesus, walking on the water. However, he took his eyes off the Lord. Noticing the waves, he started to doubt and began to sink (Matt. 14:26-33). Losing focus in the storm caused his faith to waiver. Peter needed salvation, and it came through the Savior’s hand. Afterward, the disciples worshiped the Lord.

We also should accept instruction from the Lord and pay homage so that we will be blessed by Him (Ps. 2:12). If we ask for wisdom in facing the trials of life, God will grant it liberally, if we ask in faith nothing doubting (James 1:5-6). Otherwise, like Peter, we will begin to sink in the raging waves of the storms of life.

As the Israelites entered Canaan to conquer the land, they faced an obstacle: the Jordan River lay before them. How would they overcome this hindrance? Joshua, the leader of the Israelites, leaned on the Lord, looking to Him for guidance. The Lord instructed Joshua to command the priests to carry the ark of the covenant ahead of the Israelites. As they set foot in the Jordan River, the waters stood in a heap upstream, and the Israelites crossed over on dry ground (Josh. 3:9-17). They could trust the Lord to remove barriers that blocked their progress.

Further, in the parable of the sower, one of the soil types is rocky ground which is symbolic of a lack of faith. The heart that is illustrated by this soil has no root depth, and therefore, when temptations (obstacles) arise, this one falls away (Luke 8:13). Such hearts do not lean on the Lord for strength. Unlike those who endure temptation, this one will not be approved or receive the crown of life (James 1:12).

Instead of leaning on our own understanding, we must trust in the Lord with our whole heart and acknowledge Him. When we do this, He will direct our paths (Prov. 3:5,6). Relying on God’s faithfulness, we trust that He will not allow us to be tempted above what we can bear and will provide a way of escape (1 Cor. 10:13). Praying like Jesus, we ask that the Lord not lead us into temptation but deliver us from evil (Matt. 6:13; 2 Pet. 2:9).

Whom will your family serve as king? Who will be your ruler, your authority? As you face doubt and obstacles in your life, will you dare to stand with the Lord? Will you, like Joshua, say, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord”?