These are the covenant renewal chapters from the end of Joshua’s life. And “when the Lord had given rest to Israel from all their surrounding enemies, and Joshua was old and well advanced in years, Joshua summoned all Israel, its elders and heads, its judges and officers, and said to them, ‘I am now old and well advanced in years. And you have seen all that the Lord your God has done to all these nations for your sake, for it is the Lord your God who has fought for you” (23:1-3). Now, Israel had promised, “The Lord our God we will serve, and his voice we will obey” 24:24). But, already, they had turned to idols and, soon after that current generation, Israel would turn, once again to the idols, idols made of stone and wood and which were worthless. Like Israel, we have a tendency to look for help in all the wrong places. Rather, we should always cling to the Lord who has been so faithful.
Cling to the Mighty One, cling in thy grief;
Cling to the Holy One, He gives relief;
Cling to the Gracious One, cling in thy pain;
Cling to the Faithful One, He will sustain.
Cling to the Living One, cling in thy woe;
Cling to the Loving One, through all below;
Cling to the Pardoning One, He speaketh peace;
Cling to the Healing One, anguish shall cease.
Cling to the Piercèd One, cling to His side;
Cling to the Risen One, in Him abide;
Cling to the Coming One, hope shall arise;
Cling to the Reigning One, joy lights thine eyes. -- Henry Bennett (1865)
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