Today’s Reading: Joshua 9–10; Ps 136

Now that the sin of Achan was confessed and taken care of, God renewed His covenant and helped the Israelites find victory in the town of Ai, wiping out everyone and everything. In spite of this renewed covenant, the people of Israel still had a lesson to learn. Without consulting the Lord, they made a decision and entered into a peace treaty with the Gibeonites (9:14). Their foolishness, like that of Achan’s, reaped negative consequences.

But when the people of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai, they resorted to deception to save themselves. They sent ambassadors to Joshua, loading their donkeys with weathered saddlebags and old, patched wineskins. They put on worn-out, patched sandals and ragged clothes. And the bread they took with them was dry and moldy. When they arrived at the camp of Israel at Gilgal, they told Joshua and the men of Israel, “We have come from a distant land to ask you to make a peace treaty with us.” — Joshua 9:3-6

GOD WANTS US TO INQUIRE OF HIM FOR THE SAKE OF RELATIONSHIP.

It is evident even in the Old Testament that God wants a relationship with each of us. He does not want us to live independently, but to inquire of Him – to call on Him. If Joshua had waited to hear from God, or if he had rested on how God had previously instructed him not to make a treaty with any of the Canaanites, perhaps he would not have made this leadership blunder. But the treaty was made before Joshua realized his mistake.

So Joshua did not allow the people of Israel to kill them. But that day he made the Gibeonites the woodcutters and water carriers for the community of Israel and for the altar of the Lord—wherever the Lord would choose to build it. And that is what they do to this day. — Joshua 9:26-27

While having a large group of people do a lot of work for you might not sound all bad, this treaty also came with some responsibility. When the Amorites heard that the people of Gibeon were living in peace with the Israelites, they decided to join together to attack Gibeon.

The men of Gibeon quickly sent messengers to Joshua at his camp in Gilgal. “Don’t abandon your servants now!” they pleaded. “Come at once! Save us! Help us! For all the Amorite kings who live in the hill country have joined forces to attack us.” So Joshua and his entire army, including his best warriors, left Gilgal and set out for Gibeon. “Do not be afraid of them,” the Lord said to Joshua, “for I have given you victory over them. Not a single one of them will be able to stand up to you.” — Joshua 10:6-8

GOD WANTS US TO INQUIRE OF HIM BEFORE WE ENTER INTO BATTLE.

The Lord confirmed to Joshua that He would give them victory. They called on God and He listened to them. Joshua knew that he needed God if he was going to be the leader God’s people needed him to be in order to accomplish the task God had assigned.

On the day the Lord gave the Israelites victory over the Amorites, Joshua prayed to the Lord in front of all the people of Israel. He said, “Let the sun stand still over Gibeon, and the moon over the valley of Aijalon.” So the sun stood still and the moon stayed in place until the nation of Israel had defeated its enemies….There has never been a day like this one before or since, when the Lord answered such a prayer. Surely the Lord fought for Israel that day! — Joshua 10:12-14

NOT ONLY WILL GOD LISTEN TO US, HE WILL RESPOND.

Joshua prayed BIG and God answered his prayer. God let His presence be known in the battle by causing the sun and moon to stand still. This reminds me of another day when God used the movement of the sun in order to make His presence known.

By this time it was about noon, and darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. The light from the sun was gone. And suddenly, the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn down the middle. Then Jesus shouted, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” And with those words he breathed his last.

When the Roman officer overseeing the execution saw what had happened, he worshiped God and said, “Surely this man was innocent.” And when all the crowd that came to see the crucifixion saw what had happened, they went home in deep sorrow. But Jesus’ friends, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance watching. – Luke 23:44-49

God let His reaction to Jesus’ crucifixion be known by putting out or blocking the light of the sun. Those who experienced the action of God that day walked away with the knowledge that the man on the cross was innocent. The moment Jesus died, He became the sacrifice needed in order for us to experience salvation. When he breathed his last breath, Jesus made it possible for us to be made right with God.

For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ. – 2 Corinthians 5:21

Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. – Romans 3:24-25a

My prayer for all of us this morning is that we will see God at work — that we will know He is present in our battles. God does not want us to live in fear, but in faith. The Lord repeated the same words he spoke in Joshua 1:9, just like He reminds us again today:

“Don’t ever be afraid or discouraged,” Joshua told his men. “BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS, for the Lord is going to do this…” – Joshua 10:25

Give thanks to him who made the heavenly lights—
His faithful love endures forever.
the sun to rule the day,
His faithful love endures forever.
and the moon and stars to rule the night.
His faithful love endures forever. – Psalm 136:7-9

Today’s Reading: Joshua 7-8; Luke 23; Psalm 62

God entered into a covenant relationship with the people of Israel. A covenant is a formal or serious agreement between two people or two parties. This agreement was that the people of Israel would obey God out of love for Him and He would be with them and bless them in return. If they chose disobedience, there would be curses instead.

A MAN REAPS WHAT HE SOWS.

Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. – Galatians 6:8

After their victory at Jericho, God gave specific instructions not to take any of the things from Jericho for themselves, but only to pull aside the silver, gold, bronze, and iron for the Lord’s treasury. If anyone disobeyed, it would bring trouble to the entire camp. A man named Achan saw a beautiful robe, 200 silver coins and a bar of gold weighing more than a pound. He wanted them so much that he took them (7:21). God had supplied Achan’s every need, but Achan was focused more on what he wanted but did not have, rather than focusing on all God had provided.

Unaware of this hidden sin, Joshua confidently led a group of 3000 warriors to the next town, but they were defeated and lost 36 of their men. The people were so sure that God would bless them and give them victory, yet God did not work as they expected. They were paralyzed with fear at this turn of events and their courage melted away. They tore their clothes in dismay and bowed down to the ground asking God, “Why?”

How often is our faith paralyzed by fear when God does not move as we expect Him to? We long to trust God in spite of the pain and suffering. If we’ve learned anything from Joshua, it is to be strong and courageous. Do not be overcome by fear, but recognize God’s presence all around us.

HOLD TIGHTLY TO GOD IN ALL SITUATIONS, EVEN WHEN HE DOES NOT MOVE AS WE EXPECT HIM TO.

When Joshua and the people came to the Lord, seeking an answer for their defeat, God revealed that the covenant relationship had been broken. God ordered that everything be eliminated that would keep them from being totally devoted to Him. Achan had kept items from the Jericho plunder, items that had been set apart for destruction. He confessed his sin saying, “I wanted them so much that I took them” (7:21).

The definition of sin itself — to know what you ought to do and then not do it (James 4:17). How often do we let our sin nature take over and do exactly what we know we should not do. The apostle Paul described it well in Romans chapter 7.

“And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway.” – Romans 7:18-19

Achan was found guilty and his sin not only destroyed him and the 36 warriors who died in battle, but also his entire family. His selfish decision affected those he loved most, left 36 families grieving the loss of their soldier, and brought trouble to the entire camp. They placed stones over the place where Achan died for his sins and named the place the Valley of Trouble.

When we choose to do what we want to do with total disregard for God’s instructions, we find ourselves in a dark place — a place of trouble. The good news is that we serve a God who wants to restore the covenant relationship with us. He is willing to forgive us and bring us from a point of defeat to a place of grace. Thank you, God, for your undeserved blessings! You are so generous to us.

GOD PULLS US FROM THE GRAVE OF OUR SIN AND WALKS US THROUGH A GATEWAY OF HOPE.

I will return her vineyards to her and transform the Valley of Trouble into a gateway of hope. – Hosea 2:15a

Today we are reminded that Jesus willingly died for our sins. He who was without sin followed God’s plan of salvation, even though it meant a painful crucifixion. As he hung on the cross, two criminals hung on either side of Jesus. One mocked the Lord while the other recognized that Jesus had done nothing to deserve this place on the cross, while he bore the weight of his own sins that day. He asked Jesus to remember him in his kingdom, recognizing that Jesus was in fact the King of the Jews.

And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” – Luke 23:43

As you read the story of Achan, did you feel shame settle into your spirit? Do you feel the weight of your sin, picturing yourself in a place of trouble and ashamed by your actions? We have all sinned; we all live with regrets of decisions made and seasons of rebellion. But Jesus died on the cross so that we can experience freedom from our sins — escape from our place of trouble. He has invited us to enter into a gateway of hope and fully accept the salvation for which He died. Perhaps Good Friday can be your day to accept Jesus’ invitation to transform your Valley of Trouble into a Gateway of Hope.

Let all that I am wait quietly before God,
for my hope is in him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress where I will not be shaken.
My victory and honor come from God alone.
He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.
O my people, trust in him at all times.
Pour out your heart to him,
for God is our refuge. – Psalm 62:5-8

Today’s Reading: Joshua 6, Mark 11:1-11; Psalm 118

Now the gates of Jericho were tightly shut because the people were afraid of the Israelites. No one was allowed to go out or in. But the Lord said to Joshua, “I have given you Jericho, its king, and all its strong warriors. You and your fighting men should march around the town once a day for six days. Seven priests will walk ahead of the Ark, each carrying a ram’s horn. On the seventh day you are to march around the town seven times, with the priests blowing the horns. When you hear the priests give one long blast on the rams’ horns, have all the people shout as loud as they can. Then the walls of the town will collapse, and the people can charge straight into the town.” — Joshua 6:1-5

Joshua obediently took these instructions to the priests. He told them to choose seven priests from among them to blow their ram’ horn while they marched around the city. Some of the armed men would walk ahead of them and some would walk behind the Ark. With the Ark of the Covenant just behind them in the parade, they would be “marching in the presence of the Lord” (6:8). They would not be alone; God would be with them.

AMAZING THINGS HAPPEN IN THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD

God’s people were told to not say a word until they were given the command. The only thing that would be heard is the sound of the seven priests blowing their horns and the sound of their feet. This was not a sneak attack but rather a 6-day display in front of their enemies. The Israelite army followed the Lord’s instructions, while their enemies watched in confusion and fear.

Because they chose to be patient and obey, God’s people experienced AMAZING things. On the seventh day, they marched around the town seven times with the priests blowing the horns. When they gave one final long blast, all the people began to shout as loud as they could, just as the Lord had instructed Joshua.

Suddenly the walls of Jericho collapsed, and the Israelites charged straight into the town and captured it. — Joshua 6:20b

Do you want to see God do AMAZING things in your life as much as I do? Do you have walls that need to come down in your life, or strongholds that need to be broken? I encourage you to invite God to lead you — ask the Lord to join you as you walk around your Jericho. Even when His promptings seem ridiculous or require a great amount of faith, choose today to march around the WALLS and allow God to start bringing them down.

At that time Joshua invoked this curse: “May the curse of the Lord fall on anyone who tries to rebuild the town of Jericho…” – Joshua 6:26a

AMAZING THINGS HAPPEN IN THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD

Once God has destroyed the walls in our lives, or set us free from the strongholds that keep us from fully experiencing His promises, do not allow them to be rebuilt. Do not look back or allow the enemy to keep you attached to the things the Lord has healed in your life. If God has forgiven you, acknowledge the rubble without rebuilding the walls. Be strong and courageous, choosing freedom rather than fear.

In my distress I prayed to the Lord,
and the Lord answered me and set me free.
The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear…
This is the day that the Lord has made.
We will rejoice and be glad in it. – Psalm 118:5-6a,24

Heavenly Father, we give you this day. Almighty God, we feel blessed to spend time in your presence. Reveal to us today the walls that we have seen as immovable and give us the faith to follow your lead and the voice to SHOUT out in confidence. We pray that you will bring down the walls of our Jerichos and teach us to trust you with the deepest hurts and biggest challenges in our lives. Amen.

As we move into a weekend full of Easter celebrations, may we find ourselves shouting our praise to the One whose triumphant entry has made an incredible impact on our lives. May our worship of the risen Savior break down walls and knock down the strongholds in our lives. Praise God for ALL He has done for us, for the transformation He has caused in us, and for the beautiful impact He has on others when He shines through us!

AMAZING THINGS HAPPEN IN THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD

Many in the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of him, and others spread leafy branches they had cut in the fields. Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting,
“Praise God!
Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Blessings on the coming Kingdom of our ancestor David!
Praise God in highest heaven!” – Mark 11:8-10

Today’s Reading: Joshua 5, Psalm 135

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.

Your name, O Lord, endures forever;
your fame, O Lord, is known to every generation. – Psalm 135:13

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).

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 61:7

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 34:4-6

Today’s Reading: Joshua 3–4; Psalm 100

God wanted Joshua’s attention and his focus. He wanted him to study and be familiar with God’s law and to listen obediently to God for his every move. Joshua’s success was dependent on this preparation and obedience. Joshua was commissioned by God with these very specific instructions:

• Be strong and courageous, for I am with you.
• Don’t get discouraged, for I will be with you.
• Be obedient by meditating on my word.

STEP ONE

The first step was taken. The people of Israel had been moved from the grove of Acacia trees where they had been camping since Joshua sent the spies into Jericho, and now they were at the banks of the Jordan River (3:1). Joshua sent leaders throughout the camp to instruct the people to watch for their cue to cross the river. When they saw the Levites carrying the Ark of the Covenant towards the water, they were to get up and follow them:

“Since you have never traveled this way before, they will guide you.” – Joshua 3:4a

Joshua’s faith and obedience were going to be tested moving forward. God told Joshua – you have never been this way before, SO FOLLOW ME for tomorrow I will do AMAZING things among you (3:3-5). You do not have to figure out how to cross this river on your own; I am going to lead you. What a beautiful recognition that this was a new experience for God’s people. They were entering new territory, but God would guide them. Tomorrow was going to be a special day; tomorrow the Lord was going to lead them across the Jordan River to the land He had promised them.

STEP TWO

In the morning Joshua said to the priests, “Lift up the Ark of the Covenant and lead the people across the river.” And so they started out and went ahead of the people. The Lord told Joshua, “Today I will begin to make you a great leader in the eyes of all the Israelites. They will know that I am with you, just as I was with Moses. Give this command to the priests who carry the Ark of the Covenant: ‘When you reach the banks of the Jordan River, take a few steps into the river and stop there.’” – Joshua 3:7-8

It was harvest season, which meant the Jordan was overflowing its banks. God gave Joshua very clear instructions, telling him to obey with strength and courage. They were to step into the rushing waters with confidence in the Lord.

Those who were twenty years of age or younger could remember that spectacular day at the Red Sea, and others had grown up hearing the story of what their ancestors had experienced. Imagine the anticipation as they walked towards the flooded waters; consider the excitement that their God was about to do something big for them AGAIN.

Today was different from the last time though. When Moses had led the Israelites to the banks of the Red Sea, they were told, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today” (Exodus 14:13a). Moses had stepped forward with his staff, raised his hand over the waters, and the Red Sea had parted. The people walked across dry land to reach the other side. But this time, God was requiring those in leadership to take the first step into the rushing waters. They were about to see the mighty strength of their God on display, but they had to step out in faith first.

STEP THREE

But as soon as the feet of the priests who were carrying the Ark touched the water at the river’s edge, the water above that point began backing up a great distance away at a town called Adam, which is near Zarethan. And the water below that point flowed on to the Dead Sea until the riverbed was dry. Then all the people crossed over near the town of Jericho. Meanwhile, the priests who were carrying the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant stood on dry ground in the middle of the riverbed as the people passed by. They waited there until the whole nation of Israel had crossed the Jordan on dry ground. – Joshua 3:15b-17

It wasn’t until their feet touched the Jordan that the river parted and dry ground appeared in front of them. They chose faith and not fear, and therefore experienced many AMAZING things just as God had promised. They took twelve stones from the middle of the riverbed and carried them to Gilgal, where they would camp for the night. Then Joshua stacked twelve more rocks where the priests were standing with the Ark of the Covenant as a memorial of the miracle their God had given them.

Then Joshua said to the Israelites, “In the future your children will ask, ‘What do these stones mean?’ Then you can tell them, ‘This is where the Israelites crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’ For the Lord your God dried up the river right before your eyes, and he kept it dry until you were all across, just as he did at the Red Sea when he dried it up until we had all crossed over. He did this so all the nations of the earth might know that the Lord’s hand is powerful, and so you might fear the Lord your God forever.” – Joshua 4:21-24

The God who parted the Red Sea is still the God who pulls back the waters for us. The Lord who provided dry ground for the Israelites to cross the Jordan River is the God who provides a path for us to follow today. Let’s take time to remember all He has done for us. Let’s tell the stories to our children of how our God has been faithful, and will continue to be faithful generation after generation.

Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth!
Worship the Lord with gladness.
Come before him, singing with joy.
Acknowledge that the Lord is God!
He made us, and we are his.
We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving;
go into his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the Lord is good.
His unfailing love continues forever,
and his faithfulness continues to each generation. – Psalm 100

Today’s reading: Joshua 2, Psalm 121

God had granted land on the east side of the Jordan River to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh, calling it their place of rest. But He instructed them to send their strong warriors, fully armed, with the other tribes to help them conquer the territory they had been given. Their response was one of obedience and community:

“We will do whatever you command us, and we will go wherever you send us…So be strong and courageous!” – Joshua 1:16

What a beautiful way for the people to let their new leader know that they supported him and would be with him through the battles ahead. They acknowledged the amount of strength and courage this leadership assignment would require, and they assured him of their loyalty.

Joshua sent two spies ahead of them to scout out the land on the other side of the Jordan River, especially the walled city of Jericho. When they arrived, they stayed at the house of a prostitute named Rahab. But word got back to the king and he ordered Rahab to bring the two men to him. She deceived the king and told him the men had already left, so he sent his men out to find them and shut the gates of the city. Then Rahab went up to the roof where she had hidden the two Israelite spies.

“I know the Lord has given you this land,” she told them. “We are all afraid of you. Everyone in the land is living in terror. For we have heard how the Lord made a dry path for you through the Red Sea when you left Egypt. And we know what you did to Sihon and Og, the two Amorite kings east of the Jordan River, whose people you completely destroyed. No wonder our hearts have melted in fear! No one has the courage to fight after hearing such things. For the Lord your God is the supreme God of the heavens above and the earth below.” – Joshua 2:9-11

The reputation of God’s people had arrived in Canaan way before they did. The people of Jericho knew how God had rescued them from the Egyptians; they knew how He had parted the Red Sea so that they could cross safely on dry ground. They had heard how the Israelites had already conquered and destroyed Sihon and Og, and were afraid of what would happen if this large army arrived at the gates of Jericho.

Two things jump out at me in this passage that remind me of scriptures we have read in Deuteronomy and Numbers. First of all, in his final speech to the twelve tribes of Israel, Moses had encouraged the people that God was not only with them, He was before them. God had promised to be where He was sending them; He had promised to subdue the Canaanites so that they would be easier to conquer.

“Today you are about to cross the Jordan River…But recognize today that the Lord your God is the one who will cross over ahead of you like a devouring fire to destroy them. He will subdue them so that you will quickly conquer them and drive them out, just as the Lord has promised.” – Deuteronomy 9:1,3

Our God is so amazing! He struck fear in the hearts of the people of Jericho. He started fighting the battle for His people even before they took their first step of obedience into the land God had promised them. He did this for the Israelites and He does the same thing for us today.

HE IS THE GOD WHO GOES BEFORE US — WHO CROSSES OVER, PREPARES THE WAY, AND GIVES US THE STRENGTH AND COURAGE TO RESPOND TO ALL HE IS ASKING US TO DO.

This passage also reminds me of the first time the Israelites had sent spies into Canaan. For 40 days, twelve spies had explored the beautiful land God was giving them. Ten of the twelve spies responded in fear to what it would require to follow God in obedience, and this fear spread throughout the people.

“We entered the land you sent us to explore, and it is indeed a bountiful country—a land flowing with milk and honey. Here is the kind of fruit it produces. But the people living there are powerful, and their towns are large and fortified. We even saw giants there, the descendants of Anak!…We can’t go up against them! They are stronger than we are!…Next to them we felt like grasshoppers, and that’s what they thought, too!” – Numbers 13:27-28,31,33

Fear is contagious and can become a distraction to all God’s blessings, and perhaps this is why God reminded Joshua over and over again to be strong and courageous. This former response of fear had caused their ancestors to wander in the wilderness for 40 years, and their absence on this day was a reminder of the consequence of choosing fear over faith. They had been convinced that they would appear small in the eyes of the people of Canaan, but they forgot how big their God was.

THIS WHOLE JOURNEY WAS NOT ABOUT WHAT THEY WERE CAPABLE OF, BUT ABOUT THEIR GOD FOR WHOM NOTHING WAS IMPOSSIBLE!

The spies went up into the hill country and stayed there three days. The men who were chasing them searched everywhere along the road, but they finally returned without success. Then the two spies came down from the hill country, crossed the Jordan River, and reported to Joshua all that had happened to them. “The Lord has given us the whole land,” they said, “for all the people in the land are terrified of us.” – Joshua 2:21-24

God, we look to you this morning for a reminder that you are powerful and capable. Nothing is impossible for you, and you are our help in the middle of life’s struggles. Thank you for watching over us as we come and as we go. We pray for you to give us the kind of faith that recognizes your presence and steps confidently into whatever you are asking us to do.

I look up to the mountains — does my help come from there?
My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!
He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber.
Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps.
The Lord himself watches over you!
The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade.
The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night.
The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life.
The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go,
both now and forever. – Psalm 121

Today’s reading: Joshua 1; Numbers 27:12-23; Psalm 46

“But commission Joshua, and encourage and strengthen him, for he will lead this people across and will cause them to inherit the land that you will see.” – Deuteronomy 3:28

Joshua served faithfully under the leadership of Moses, and Moses took the time to teach him along the way. Moses was the mentor and Joshua was his apprentice. Moses would not be entering the Promised Land, but God allowed him to be a part by investing in the future of His people — by training his successor.

Then the Lord commissioned Joshua son of Nun with these words: “Be strong and courageous, for you must bring the people of Israel into the land I swore to give them. I will be with you.” – Deuteronomy 31:23

Joshua heard directly from God after Moses died, making it clear that this was his God-appointed moment — that God had called him and would be with him. He was no longer the intern; he was now the leader.

“…the time has come for you to lead…I promise you what I promised Moses: ‘Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you’…No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you.” – Joshua 1:2-5

BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS.

“Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people…Be strong and VERY courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. This is my command — be strong and very courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:6-9

God’s instructions for Joshua were very clear — be strong and courageous, and be careful to obey all of my instructions. Joshua’s leadership was God-ordained, but he was never meant to lead out of his own strength and wisdom. God had provided Joshua with His word so that he could study it and meditate on it. All the instructions were there for him, just as God would provide the courage.

GOD PROVIDES THE COURAGE WE NEED TO SAY YES TO HIS ASSIGNMENT.

Leadership is hard. The moment Joshua stepped into the top leadership position, it may have seemed to others that he was living his best life. But leading God’s people had never been easy for Moses, it would not be easy for Joshua, and it is still not easy today. Leadership assignments come with stress and anxiety; they come with tough decisions and interpersonal conflicts.

“Have I not commanded you, be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified. Don’t be discouraged. For the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9

I think we can all relate to those moments when we want to follow God with all our heart, but it takes overcoming fear to really embrace our faith. Perhaps God’s words of instruction to Joshua are exactly what you need to hear today. Today would be a great day to pray for courage — for freedom from the fear that threatens to cripple us and from the anxiety that tries to steal our joy.

I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears. – Psalm 34:4

GOD HELPS US OVERCOME OUR FEAR SO THAT WE CAN EMBRACE OUR FAITH.

I am guessing Joshua knew a lot about this battle between fear and faith. Fear fights our faith, weakening our resolve and attacking our confidence in the God who has promised to provide and protect. But faith is exactly what we need to overcome the power of our fear. It is a gift from God.

God is our refuge and strength,
always ready to help in times of trouble.
So we will not fear when earthquakes come
and the mountains crumble into the sea.
Let the oceans roar and foam.
Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge! – Psalm 46:1-3

God, I recognize this morning that you are my refuge and my strength. You are always there for me when I am in trouble or feeling troubled. Because of that, I will not fear when my world is shaken, I will not be afraid when life comes crumbling down around me. I choose to be still and know that you are God. Please free me from the anxiety that steals my confidence and discourages me from saying YES to all that you want to accomplish in me and through me. Amen.

Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 31-34; Psalm 18

I love you, Lord; you are my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. – Psalm 18:1-2

Today we finish up the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible). The last 11 weeks have given us a great opportunity to picture God’s relationship with humankind — from the Garden of Eden to crossing over into the Promised Land. God clearly laid out how to enter into a covenant relationship and what will break that covenant relationship. He has given us a choice of whether or not to follow Him. If we truly love God, obedience will flow from that love relationship and faith will grow.

DO NOT BE AFRAID, GOD IS WITH YOU.

Moses told the people that he would not be going with them into the promised land but that God would be with them. In fact, not only was God going WITH them, He was also going BEFORE them. As he handed leadership over to Joshua, he gave them these words of encouragement:

“Be strong and courageous! For you will lead these people into the land that the Lord swore to their ancestors he would give them…Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.” – Deuteronomy 31:7-8

The reason Moses would not be going with them into Canaan was because he did not fully obey God’s instructions. When God told him to speak to the rock to make water flow, Moses struck the rock instead. God gave Moses his own “rock song” to sing in his last moments — a song that speaks of a different kind of ROCK.

GOD IS THE ROCK OF OUR SALVATION.

“Listen, O heavens, and I will speak!
Hear, O earth, the words that I say!
Let my teaching fall on you like rain; let my speech settle like dew.
Let my words fall like rain on tender grass, like gentle showers on young plants.
I will proclaim the name of the Lord; how glorious is our God!
He is the Rock; his deeds are perfect.
Everything he does is just and fair.
He is a faithful God who does no wrong; how just and upright he is!” – Deuteronomy 32:1-4

THE LORD IS MY ROCK, MY PLACE OF SAFETY.

Then Moses went up to Mount Nebo where he could see all of Canaan to the east. The Lord showed him the land he had promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Then Moses died, just as the Lord had said he would, and the Lord buried him in a valley but to this day no one knows the exact place.

There has never been another prophet in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face. The Lord sent him to perform all the miraculous signs and wonders in the land of Egypt against Pharoah, and all his servants, and his entire land. With mighty power, Moses performed terrifying acts in the sight of all Israel. – Deuteronomy 34:10-12

Moses was strong and his eyesight was clear when he died. The same Moses who had argued with God when called, who questioned his own ability to be used by God, and who had a moment of trusting more in his own strength than in God’s word — this imperfect man had an intimate relationship with God like no other man had ever had.

Thank you for being a personal and intimate God! Thank you for your grace and mercy that picks us up when we fall and gives us new opportunities to be used for your purposes. Father God, we praise you for your steady and faithful presence in our lives. May we see moments today when you make us strong and courageous, trusting in the Rock that goes before us and is with us. May it be said of us when we die that we had a personal relationship with the Rock of our Salvation! Amen.

To the faithful you show yourself faithful;
to those with integrity you show integrity.
To the pure you show yourself pure,
but to the crooked you show yourself shrewd.
You rescue the humble, but you humiliate the proud.
You light a lamp for me.
The Lord, my God, lights up my darkness.
In your strength I can crush an army;
with my God I can scale any wall.
God’s way is perfect.
All the Lord’s promises prove true.
He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.
For who is God except the Lord?
Who but our God is a solid rock? – Psalm 18:25-31

Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 27-30; Psalm 2

“Today the Lord your God has commanded you to obey all these decrees and regulations. So be careful to obey them WHOLEHEARTEDLY. You have declared today that the Lord is your God. And you have promised to walk in his ways, and to obey his decrees, commands, and regulations, and to do everything he tells you. The Lord has declared today that you are his people, his own special treasure, just as he promised, and that you must obey all his commands.” – Deuteronomy 26:16-18

What a great description of the covenant relationship God set up with His people. If the people would declare their obedience, not just in word but with all their heart, they would be his special treasure. Love and obedience were both necessary in this covenant relationship. If they chose love but not obedience, or if they chose obedience but not love, they were breaking their covenant with God.

CHOOSE BOTH LOVE AND OBEDIENCE TODAY.

“The Lord said to me, ‘You are my son.
Today I have become your Father.’” – Psalm 2:7b

God was looking for more than just token obedience – following a set of rules, doing the bare minimum required; He was looking for a wholehearted commitment — a familial relationship. The psalmist put it beautifully when he declared, “I run in the path of your commands for you have set my heart free” (Psalm 119:32). Can you picture the path and the choice to run with vigor the path marked out ahead?

“Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the One who is leading.” – Oswald Chambers

God’s commands provide the boundaries for the path that He calls us to run with enthusiasm. Moses laid out for the Israelites all the blessings that would be theirs if they would FULLY obey the Lord and CAREFULLY keep all his commands. He also laid out the curses that would come and overwhelm them if they walked outside of the boundaries God’s commands had established. In fact, he spent 14 verses describing the blessings and 54 verses describing the curses.

Moses explained that this covenant relationship was for all of them standing there that day but also for future generations. Their decision would affect the next generation and the generations to come. Someday someone will ask, “Why has the Lord done this to the land? Why was he so angry?” The answer will be because the people abandoned their covenant relationship with God. They thought they were safe and could follow the desires of their own stubborn heart (28:24-25,19). But if you return to the Lord, the Lord will have mercy and do a work in your heart.

IT’S YOUR CHOICE.

“The Lord will delight in you if you obey his voice and keep the commands and decrees written in this Book of Instruction, and if you turn to the Lord your God with all your heart and soul.” – Deuteronomy 30:10

This next passage is one of my favorites. I love how Moses lays out the choice before God’s people — the choice for life or death, for blessings or curses. It is a great reminder for us today that God is calling us to a life of obedience that is a natural outcome of our love for the Lord. We choose to walk in His ways because He has set our heart free from sin and death.

“Now listen! Today I am giving you a choice between life and death, between prosperity and disaster. For I command you this day to love the Lord your God and to keep his commands, decrees, and regulations by walking in his ways. If you do this, you will live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you and the land you are about to enter and occupy.

“But if your heart turns away and you refuse to listen, and if you are drawn away to serve and worship other gods, then I warn you now that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live a long, good life in the land you are crossing the Jordan to occupy.

“Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would CHOOSE LIFE, so that you and your descendants might live! You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life. And if you LOVE and OBEY the Lord, you will live long in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.” – Deuteronomy 30:15-20

TODAY IS THE DAY WE CHOOSE YOU, LORD!

Father God, thank you for loving us. Our heart’s desire is to walk in your ways and to respond in obedience. Because you have set our hearts free, our response is to joyfully run down the path of your commands. We ask for you to fill us with your Spirit and give us the strength to be fully committed to you. Help us to see the path you have laid out for us on this love journey — a path with boundaries provided to keep us in the center of your plan for our lives. Today, we choose you. We choose to love you, to obey you and to commit our lives firmly to you. We thank you for the blessings you pour out on our lives each day. You are truly amazing! Amen.

I will fulfill my vows to you, O God,
and will offer a sacrifice of thanks for your help.
For you have rescued me from death;
you have kept my feet from slipping.
So now I can walk in your presence, O God,
in your life-giving light. – Psalm 56:12-13

Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 21–26; Psalm 112

As we read the next few chapters of Deuteronomy, we clearly see that we serve a God of compassion. The people of Israel were instructed to set aside three cities of refuge for people to escape to in case they accidentally caused another person’s death. God also set up protections for landowners and for those accused by only one person of committing a crime. He also provided a way for the foreign nations to surrender to the people of Israel and live in slavery, instead of being attacked and killed.

OUR MERCIFUL GOD CALLS US TO LIVE A LIFE OF MERCY TOWARDS OTHERS.

Moses went through a long list of instructions and rules. He described specific scenarios and taught the people how to respond in various situations. In all this, he wanted the people to obey out of love for God and compassion for others. He called them to have a generous mindset towards those in need.

“Never take advantage of poor and destitute laborers, whether they are fellow Israelites or foreigners living in your towns. You must pay them their wages each day before sunset because they are poor and are counting on it. If you don’t, they might cry out to the Lord against you, and it would be counted against you as sin.” – Deuteronomy 24:14-15

Remember that you were once slaves and that God rescued you from your slavery. That is why I am commanding you to be generous with those in need, as you were once in need. When you are harvesting your crop, don’t take it all for yourself but always set some aside for the foreigners, orphans, and widows. Then the Lord your God will bless you in all you do (Deuteronomy 24:18-19).

FROM A IT’S-MINE ATTITUDE TO A HERE-YOU-GO GENEROSITY.

God calls us to look at the treasures of this earth as temporary and unimportant. He knows that clinging to our earthly belongings will only bring us satisfaction for a short time, but using our earthly resources to make a difference in the lives of others will give us lasting joy. Do not look at the blessings received on earth with pride or selfishness, but turn around and offer those blessings back to the Lord. Perhaps He will do something wonderful with your earthly treasures and be glorified because of your selfless attitude.

Moses continued with expectations of generosity towards the church as well: Take all that you have harvested from the land God has given you and put some of the first produce from each crop into a basket and bring it to the place of worship – the place where the Lord your God chooses for His name to be honored. In thanksgiving for all God has done for you, bring the first portion of the harvest to God. Then you may go and celebrate all of the good things the Lord your God has given to you and to your household (Deuteronomy 26:2,10-11,13).

OUR GENEROUS GOD IS CALLING US TO LIVE A LIFE OF GENEROSITY.

Just as Moses was calling God’s people to a spirit of generosity towards the church (Levites) and the less fortunate, God is calling us to share freely with the church and those in need. He cries out for us to listen to His voice and keep all His commands, doing what pleases Him instead of what pleases ourselves or others.

Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. – Deuteronomy 15:10

Father God, give us a heart of compassion for those in need and a spirit of generosity towards others. Help us to respond in obedience when you call us to let go of all you have blessed us with for the sake of your kingdom. Take away our tendency to claim what we possess and replace it with the desire to claim that all we own is yours.

Light shines in the darkness for the godly.
They are generous, compassionate, and righteous.
Good comes to those who lend money generously
and conduct their business fairly.
Such people will not be overcome by evil.
Those who are righteous will be long remembered.
They do not fear bad news;
they confidently trust the Lord to care for them.
They are confident and fearless
and can face their foes triumphantly.
They share freely and give generously to those in need.
Their good deeds will be remembered forever.
They will have influence and honor. – Psalm 112:4-9