Distinguish grace from mercy: Grace-God’s solution to man’s sin. Mercy-God’s solution to man’s misery. Grace-Covers the sin. Mercy-Removes the pain. Grace-Gives us what we do not deserve. Mercy-Does not give us what we do deserve Grace-Unearned favor which saves us. Mercy-Undeserved favor which forgives us. Grace-Deals with the cause of sin. Mercy-Deals with the symptoms of sin. Grace-Offers pardon for the crime. Mercy-Offers relief from the punishment. Grace-Cures or heals the “disease.” Mercy-Eliminates the pain of the “disease.” Grace-Regarding salvation it says, “Heaven.” Mercy-Regarding salvation it says, “No Hell.” Grace-Says, “I pardon you.” Mercy-Says, “I pity you”
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73 JORDAN CROSSED

73 JORDAN CROSSED F O O T ================================

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READING

73 JORDAN CROSSED

PRAY Search me, O God, and know my heart . . . lead me in the way everlasting. (Psalm 139:23,24). —————————————————————- READ Joshua 3:1-17; 4:19-5:1. —————————————————————- THINK What was the purpose of the memorial cairns? —————————————————————- PRAY This was surely the strangest invasion ever staged. Usually crack troops are chosen to spearhead such an event, but here it was a group of priests carrying a gold-plated wooden chest! But the ark (Covenant Box) was full of meaning. It was a symbol of God’s own presence showing that he was really there with them. It contained the two tablets of the law which God had given to Moses on Mount Sinai, reminding them of the sort of lives God wanted them to live. We have to give the priests great credit; they were not trained for warfare, and they normally lived a sheltered life. But they went out in front, and walked right into the turbulent flood- swollen river. Often we too have to step out in faith and only when we have done so does the way ahead become clear. The priests knew that God was with them (10,11,13). So the Israelites crossed the Jordan. But Joshua knew how quickly people forget even God’s greatest miracles, and so he took special trouble to make sure the event wes remembered. It was difficult to ignore those twelve solid lumps of rock, taken from the actual river-bed. What ‘memorial cairns’ can remind us today of God’s grace and power? Every cross on a church steeple and every celebration of the Eucharist or Lord’s supper point us to God’s greatest victory. But what about your own pilgrimage with God? Have you kept a journal of God’s dealings with you? —————————————————————- PRAY Thank you for every memory I have of your action in my life. Give me the faith that ventures boldly for you, O God.