Returning to Base Camp

Then Joshua returned with all Israel to the camp at Gilgal. (Joshua 10:15 NIV)

Today’s devotional is from the brand new Keswick Devotional – Real Victory for Real Life Volume 2. You can order your copy by calling today – 732-350-1187 or order online: www.americaskeswick.org.

Following the stories of Jericho and Ai, and the deception of the Gibeonites, the narrative pace of the conquest of the Promised Land as recorded in the book of Joshua picks up considerably.   Chapter 10 records for us the decisive battle in finishing off the conquest of the southern half of Canaan, and chapter 11 summarizes the defeat of the northern half of the land.  God had powerfully fulfilled his promise to Joshua in chapter 1 that no one would be able to stand against him.

In the middle of chapter 10, and again at the end of the chapter, we see these words, Then Joshua returned with all Israel to the camp at Gilgal.   If you think about it, it makes a lot of sense.  Gilgal was their “permanent” base camp.  It was the staging area for their conquests.  It was probably also home for the women and children of Israel while the men were carrying out the battle to conquer the land.

But Gilgal was also more than that.  It was the place where Joshua had erected the memorial stones to remind the nation of God’s intervention in crossing the Jordan River.  It was the place where the nation had renewed their covenant with God, and He had renewed His covenant with them.   This was a place where the nation did business with God.

Where is your Gilgal?  Where do you take refuge from the rigors of battle to renew yourself both physically and spiritually?  Where do you do business with God?  There is nothing magical about an individual place.  God is willing, and waiting, for us to come to Him wherever we are.  But it is absolutely vital that we learn the discipline of returning on a regular basis to that place of deep communion with Him for replenishment, refreshment and new marching orders. Rev. Robby Richardson is Pastor Bill Raws’ son-in-law, Executive Director of the Internet Evangelism  Network and teaching Pastor of at Bridge Bible Church Grand Rapids, MI.

Daily Bible Reading: Genesis 25-26; Romans 9:1-15

Quote of the day:  “I am not what I ought to be; I am not what I would like to be; I am not what I hope to be. But I am not what I once was, and by the grace of God, I am what I am.” – John Newton

Bible Memory: “Blameless are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways!” Psalm 119:1-3