Historically, Shevat was the month that Moses stood on Mount Nebo overlooking the promised land. He was ready to hand Joshua the baton to lead the children of Israel into their inheritance - the promised land.  It just so happened to be the 11th month and God was getting ready to do a new thing. 

Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it?  I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

Isaiah 43:19

So, the last month of Moses’ life, he prepared Israel for this change. He held nothing back.  He reminded them of where they came from, where they were going and whose they were. He recalled their triumphs and failures, good, bad and ugly. He left them with instructions and reviewed the teachings of the Lord.  They were going from being desert wanderers to warriors and victors. 

What, then shall we say in response to these things?  If God is for us, who can be against us…In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

Romans 8:31 & 37 

 This 40-year journey was supposed to take 11 days. Now it was time for the next generation to put into practice all the experience and revelation they received while in the desert. Joshua was of the new generation that had a different spirit. His faithfulness and trust enabled him to be appointed to take Israel into her promised land. He never complained, criticized or thought he knew better than Moses, but willingly learned everything God taught him through submission and obedience to the leader God gave him.

 “But the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits”.

Dan 11:32

So, as we prepare to take our promised land, may we like Joshua, position ourselves under the mighty hand of God, learning from history so we don’t have to make the same mistakes. Let us have teachable spirits, in all humility and submission to our Lord.  

For the Lord God will help me; therefore, I have not been confounded: I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be disappointed.

Isaiah 50:7 

We lift up the nation of Canada to you God, and ask that this land of promise come under the sovereign rulership of our King Jesus, reflecting His righteousness, His love and His justice.  We declare over you Canada:  A Changing of the Guard.

This Is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel:  Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit Says the Lord of hosts.  Who are you, O great mountain?  Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain!  And he shall bring forth the capstone With shouts of Grace, grace to it!  Moreover the word of the Lord came o me saying  “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this temple.  His hands shall also finish it.  Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent Me to you.  For who has despised the day of small things?

Zechariah 4:6  

 For behold, the stone that I have laid before Joshua: Upon the stone are seven eyes.  Behold, I will engrave its inscription, Says the Lord of hosts, And I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day. 

Zechariah 3:9