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The DEEP

Keeping the Faith

from generation to generation.

Joshua 24:16–18

So the people answered and said: “Far be it from us that we should forsake the LORD to serve other gods; for the LORD our God is He who brought us and our fathers up out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage, who did those great signs in our sight, and preserved us in all the way that we went and among all the people through whom we passed. And the LORD drove out from before us all the people, including the Amorites who dwelt in the land. We also will serve the LORD, for He is our God.”

They’re missing the point. Joshua wasn’t just talking about everyone within earshot; he was talking about all Israel, including future generations.

The people saying, “Far be it from us that we should forsake the LORD to serve other gods,” are only speaking for themselves (and, as we’ll see, they’re not all that impressive anyway). Joshua’s message is for everyone and for all time.

The people standing before Joshua witnessed the miracle of crossing the Jordan River on dry land. They saw the walls of Jericho come a tumblin’ down. Their faith has a foundation that isn’t easily shaken.

Others, especially future generations, will have an easier time disbelieving.

And disbelieving will be their bent.


We have a similar problem; Christ’s resurrection was a hundred generations ago. We didn’t see it and we don’t know anyone who did. It’s easier to disbelieve.

Christians need to take this as a challenge. Uncertain faith is not okay. Christians who are unsure of the facts of Christianity should make a point of investigating the claims and nailing this all down.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. — Hebrews 11:1

The old NIV translated this as, “Faith is being sure …” I like the feeling this conveys, but that is translating a noun as a verb. Still, the point holds. Uncertain faith is no faith at all.

We should study (and churches should teach) the evidence for the resurrection. That includes studying crucifixion, how it kills, and why the Romans used it. Part of knowing that He rose is knowing that He was dead. The other part of knowing He rose is studying what the eyewitnesses said. That includes studying the reliability of scripture.

This can take a lot of effort, and may be less fun than other studies, but neglect this part of Christian education and you’ll get believers whose commitment to the lordship of Christ won’t pass a stress test.

Lastly, we must counter the lie that Christianity is opposed to science. Here’s a must see video on that.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMBQwGzn_TE

Scientists are starting to admit that atheism has fatal scientific flaws.


These Monday—Friday DEEPs are written by Mike Slay. The Weekend DEEPs are written by Matt Richardson. To subscribe to all the DEEPs click here:

https://www.ailbe.org/resources/community

The weekly study guides, which include the Monday–Friday devotionals plus related questions for discussion or meditation, are available for download here:

https://www.ailbe.org/resources/itemlist/category/91-deep-studies

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ESV stands for the English Standard Version. © Copyright 2001 by Crossway. Used by permission. All rights reserved. NIV stands for The Holy Bible, New International Version®. © Copyright 1973 by International Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved. KJV stands for the King James Version.

Mike Slay

As a mathematician, inventor, and ruling elder in the Presbyterian Church in America, Mike Slay brings an analytical, conversational, and even whimsical approach to the daily study of God's Word.

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