Today’s Reading: Joshua 5, Isaiah 61

When all the Amorite kings west of the Jordan and all the Canaanite kings who lived along the Mediterranean coast heard how the Lord had dried up the Jordan River so the people of Israel could cross, they lost heart and were paralyzed with fear because of them. — Joshua 5:1

THE REPUTATION OF OUR GOD PRECEDES US.

The stories of the power of the God of Israel spread throughout the land, and the Canaanites feared this group that had crossed the Jordan River and were headed their way. They had no idea what would happen next, but they knew what God was capable of and that caused them to fear His people. But even with God on their side, the Israelites were not quite ready for the battle ahead.

Before experiencing what God was about to do for His people, the Israelites needed to take some time to fully consecrate themselves to the One who had brought them this far. He had freed them from the Egyptians, displaying His power through the ten plagues. God had provided dry land for them to cross the Red Sea, and they watched as the waters enveloped their enemies. He had continued to provide water, manna, quail, and shade for them, even in the wilderness. Now they had crossed over into Canaan, but there was one more thing they needed to do and one more thing God wanted to do — they needed to make things right with God and God wanted to roll away their shame.

When God made His covenant with Abraham, He was also making a covenant with the descendants of Abraham. From generation to generation, He would be their God: “And I will give the entire land of Canaan, where you now live as a foreigner, to you and your descendants. It will be their possession forever, and I will be their God” (Genesis 17:8).

In the confirmation of this beautiful relationship between the Creator and His creation, God established the mark of His covenant — circumcision. Every Israelite male was to be circumcised when he was eight days old as a way of bearing evidence of the everlasting covenant relationship with God (Genesis 17:9-14). But the army standing in front of Joshua had not been circumcised like their fathers had been, and it was time to make things right with God. So all the males were circumcised and given time to rest and heal.

Then the Lord said to Joshua, “Today I have rolled away the shame of your slavery in Egypt.” So that place has been called Gilgal to this day. — Joshua 5:9

THE MERCY OF OUR GOD ROLLS OUR SHAME AWAY.

Often the awareness of how great our God is provides a contrast of how unworthy we are of His love. When we look back and see all the mistakes we have made, and when we know how our heart tends to gravitate towards sin, we carry the weight of our unrighteousness into our relationship with God. How could this amazing God call me His child? How could this God of holiness want anything to do with a sinner like me?

“Fear not; you will no longer live in shame.
Don’t be afraid; there is no more disgrace for you.” — Isaiah 54:4

This is the character of God beautifully on display in the lives of His people. How grateful I am to serve a God who is both powerful and merciful. He is faithful in keeping His promises to us, and He is generous in His provision for us and protection over us. I pray that you will allow Him to roll away your shame and that you will walk in confidence as you daily experience His mercy and His grace.

While camped in the plains of Jericho, the Israelites celebrated Passover. They took time to remember how the angel of death had passed over their homes in Egypt and spared their firstborn sons. They praised Him for rescuing them from a place of slavery and giving them the promise of freedom. They ate unleavened bread and roasted grain that they themselves had harvested from the land they had just entered. No more manna. They had arrived and were already experiencing the fulfillment of God’s promise to them (Joshua 5:10-12).

You will be called priests of the Lord,
ministers of our God.
You will feed on the treasures of the nations
and boast in their riches.
Instead of shame and dishonor,
you will enjoy a double share of honor.
You will possess a double portion of prosperity in your land,
and everlasting joy will be yours. — Isaiah 61:6-7

Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness;
let us exalt his name together.
I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me.
He freed me from all my fears.
Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy;
no shadow of shame will darken their faces.
In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened;
he saved me from all my troubles. — Psalm 34:3-6