"Then Joshua secretly sent out two spies from the Israelite camp at Acacia Grove. He instructed them, “Scout out the land on the other side of the Jordan River, especially around Jericho.”
[Joshua 2:1 NLT]
Just moments before Joshua sends out the two spies, the LORD spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant. He said, “Moses my servant is dead. Therefore, the time has come for you to lead these people, the Israelites, across the Jordan River into the land I am giving them. I promise you what I promised Moses: ‘Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you." [Joshua 1:1-3 NLT]
Here is how I imagine the scene unfolding...[Joshua 1:9]
The LORD spoke [with that deep Charlton Heston voice] "Joshua, be strong and courageous". Immediately, Joshua crouched down.
The LORD spoke again, "Joshua, be strong and courageous".
Timidly, Joshua straightened up.
The LORD spoke a third time..."Joshua, this is My command to you - be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the I AM is with you wherever you go.”
And at that very moment, Joshua arose! And in response to God's initiative, he does an immediate about face and gives the command to the officers of Israel to tell the people, "get ready. Its go time!"
So why send in the spies? God did not tell him to during their "Come to Jesus meeting" in Chapter 1. No, it says that he secretly sent in the spies. Why?
I believe it is what spiritual leaders do - they prepare by "waiting patiently"! I believe experience and a great mentor taught him the value in the process of discernment - remember, he was selected as a leader by Moses to go into the Promised Land, as a spy, 40 years before in Numbers 13. But most importantly, I believe the wisdom of God led him, as he and God's people stood face to face with impossible obstacles on the battlefield. I believe it was Joshua's desire to frame the problem and probe for perspective, before providing direction as to "the how" of moving God's people onto God's agenda! Joshua sending in the spies was not a reaction cocooned in unbelief. It was a response of faith ,and I believe a spiritual statement that said..."battle on"!
That's what this morning's Cardiac (Heart) Cath was all about. We sent in the "spies" - 2 of them to be exact, one from thru the groin and one thru the neck. And our desire was to...
(1) Frame the Problem. Give clarity as to the obstacles we face on Monday.
(2) Probe for Perspective - Determine what actually is taking place internally, behind enemy lines.
Today's Cath provided great clarity and insight. The numbers/pressures in Jackson's lungs look "great"! However - the leak over the tricuspid is "significant" and classified as "moderate". But both of these reports are encouraging! We receive this as good news!
Yea...the obstacles are huge! And our team is still not 100% certain as to how they are going to address the leak over the tricuspid valve. We learned yesterday that attempts to repair the tricuspid valve are "rarely successful"...but the impossible is possible - IF it is the Will of God! So we ask (as the Lord our God encourages us) that His Will be done!
We are not certain what Monday will hold, but y'all...God is all over this! Tomorrow Jackson's surgical team will create the battle plan...and we ask that you pray specifically for wisdom, oneness and confidence among our team. Doubt has no place in the battle...including an open heart surgery!
Before I sign off for the night...I have to share one more "whisper of encouragement" that the Lord shared with me this afternoon as I prayed over the above scripture. You know the great peripheral miracle of sending in the spies...Rahab and her household were saved! The same Rahab who bore a son Boaz, who fathered Obed, who was King David's dad! Thus...you find Rahab in the lineage of our Savior, The Messiah - Christ Jesus!
God is ALWAYS at work! Continue to keep those eyes on Jesus...
[Jackson's definition of "waiting patiently" at 6:30am! I did not have enough Starbucks yet...]
[One of the hilarious moments of our day was when Jackson was "loopy" from this cocktail. Oh it was too funny...]
[This picture reminds me of one of my favorite all time pictures of Jackson and Kelly, where she is praying over Jackson after his second open-heart surgery! Kel is a Prayer Warrior...]
[As soon as Jackson woke, before he even opened his eyes he was asking for something to eat!]
[Jackson catching the updates from the NBA playoffs on SportsCenter]
[The only time that Jackson would lay still/sleep was when we played music in the recovery room. Here he is sleeping to one of his favorites - "Hymns" by Rick Gallagher]
[After 6 hours of "waiting" we could not get his shoes on fast enough! He was ready to go...and can anyone tell us why waiting is so exhausting? We are whooped, and excited about a weekend of rest!]
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