August 31 -- "Examples of Love and Loyalty"

 Today’s Reading: Ruth 1

"Examples of Love and Loyalty"

Naomi made a hard decision to leave Moab and return to Israel where she will find the support of her relatives and friends. Ruth wants to go with her but Naomi tries to persuade her to stay behind.  Ruth refuses, insisting that Naomi let her come.  Verse 14 says, “Ruth clung to her.”  

Ruth declares her love and loyalty to Naomi, “Don’t force me to leave you; don’t make me go home—not even death itself is going to come between us!” Her words to Naomi reveal that she had grown to deeply love Naomi, and that she had also come to love Naomi’s God, Yahweh.  When Naomi saw how strongly Ruth felt, she gave up trying to persuade her to remain in Moab and accepted her company on the long journey home.

By their actions of love and loyalty, Ruth and Naomi have given all of us some life lessons. There are four lessons we can learn by looking at the bond between these two women. (There are probably more than four, but these are presented for your consideration.)

Loyalty.  Ruth could have easily gone back to the familiar.  She could have returned to her own family and friends.  But her strong bond with Naomi resulted in an unbending loyalty. Tough times did not break that loyalty, but rather strengthened it.  Do you remain committed to others even when troubles come?

Witness.  Naomi’s character and relationship with God were on display for Ruth to see.  And just by being around her, Ruth was drawn to her God.  Ruth now longed for the same relationship with God that she had seen in Naomi.  When others see your relationship with Jesus Christ, are they drawn to Him?

Perseverance.  Ruth held her ground.  She was determined not to lose that relationship that had brought so much value to her life. She would not – could not – let anything bring an end to her love and bond for Naomi.  Do others know that you will stubbornly stick by them when your relationship is threatened?

Trust.  Ruth’s future was uncertain.  She didn’t know what troubles might lie ahead.  But she trusted her future to the God of Israel, and as a result was willing to step forward in faith and follow Him.  In the midst of the circumstances you face, do you trust God to bring good out of it?  Are you willing to step forward by faith?

August 30 -- "Don't Believe Your Own Press Clippings"

 Today’s Reading: Judges 8

"Don't Believe Your Own Press Clippings"

God allowed Gideon only three hundred men to launch the attack against the Midianites, so that Israel might know that victory was not by military power or man’s ingenuity but by God’s intervention and power.

This great victory was God’s doing, but the people of Israel wanted to give credit elsewhere - to Gideon. They wrongly attribute the work to the man, rather than the God who used the man. They saw the man God used and begin to ascribe to him a degree of greatness and prestige.  So much so, that they wanted to make Gideon the King over Israel. Verse 22 tells us that “the men of Israel said to Gideon, ‘Rule over us, you and your son and your grandson also, for you have saved us from the hand of Midian.’”  Notice who is getting the credit here – not Yahweh, but Yahweh’s instrument.

There is a natural human tendency to credit the people God uses rather than to credit God. Years ago, I attended a church in which a mighty revival was taking place.  People were coming to Christ by the hundreds and lives were being changed by God’s Spirit.  It was a sovereign move of God that came upon that church, but oftentimes people wanted to credit the Pastor for the work that was taking place. The revival was so phenomenal that even the secular press had to send reporters to the scene to find out what was going on. What was this “man” doing that was causing such a great explosion in church membership? On one occasion, a Christian seminary sent a contingent of students thousands of miles to inquire about the situation. They wanted to know what “formula” our Pastor was using to accomplish such a great work. They wanted to discover his “secret sauce” and teach their students to “reproduce” it. When they were told that there is no secret formula but what they were seeing was an unexplainable work of the Holy Spirit, they couldn’t process it.

During this great revival, our Pastor was faced with a huge temptation – to accept the praises of people and take credit for God’s work -or- to remain humble and give glory to God, where it belonged. When asked about this temptation, our Pastor’s reply was, “I never believe my own press clippings.”  In other words, no matter how much others tried to credit him for this revival, he knew it was God’s doing and the credit belonged to no one except God, Himself.  Our Pastor applied the truth of Psalm 115:1, “Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, But to Your name give glory, Because of Your mercy, Because of Your truth.”

Fortunately, Gideon humbly refused their invitation, pointing out that Yahweh was their King.  Gideon knew in his heart-of-hearts that God was the only one who deserved glory for this work and that God was the only one who was rightly their King. Gideon didn’t “believe his own press clippings.”  If God is using your life – if you’re seeing Him do great things through you – be very careful.  Never believe your own press clippings, and never – NEVER! – take credit for the work God has done. 

August 29 -- "When Human Strength is Too Much"

 Today’s Reading: Judges 7

"When Human Strength is Too Much"

Gideon and the armies of Israel are about to take on the Midianites - an intimidating enemy.  So, Gideon prepares the nation for war.  He gathers over 30,000 soldiers to fight in the battle – a number that he was confident would be enough to conquer Midian.  As the troops move closer to the enemy territory, Gideon is interrupted by the Lord who says, “Hold on! You have TOO LARGE of an army with you, Gideon.”  Wait!  What?  Too large an army?  Is that even possible? Gideon certainly would have understood if the Lord told him that his army was too small.  But too big?  Gideon was puzzled. How could having too many soldiers be a problem?  But God had a plan.

The Lord goes on to explain, “If I let you proceed into battle with this much human strength, then you and your armies will take all the credit, saying, ‘I did it all myself,’ and forget about Me. We can’t let that happen Gideon.  I can’t turn Midian over to you like this.”  So, Gideon begins paring down the troops.  First, down to 10,000, and ultimately down to merely three hundred men.  I’m sure Gideon is thinking that there’s no way to beat Midian with only three hundred men.  They’ll crush us.  But God had a plan. 

The next thing that happens is that Gideon disarms his troops.  He tells them to put down their swords and their spears.  He gives each of them a trumpet, a jar, and a torch – not your usual implements of war.  But God had a plan.

The message that God was trying to get across to Gideon and his troops was that there are times when human strength is “too much.”  When we rely on our own resources, and our own ingenuity, and our own strength to accomplish a task it doesn’t leave much room for God to show His might on our behalf.   We can easily get our eyes off of God and His mighty working power.  Whenever we attempt to achieve some spiritual victory in our own strength we run the risk of saying, “I did it by myself.” Rather, we must learn to rely on God and give Him the credit – even when He uses “unconventional” methods to win the war.

Who, or what, is your Midian?  Is there an intimidating enemy on your horizon?  Are you gathering your resources to take on the battle?  Are you planning the strategies to use – like “positive thinking” or “determination” or “seven steps to success”?  Don’t be surprised when the Lord interrupts you and says, “Wait!  Don’t do it.  Put down your ‘swords’ and ‘spears’ and pick up your trumpet and torch.”  Then you will see God’s plan and His power and His victory, and you’ll be able to say, like Gideon, “look what the Lord has done!”

August 28 -- "Face-to-Face"

Today’s Reading: Judges 6

"Face-to-Face"

The people of Israel have, once again, turned away from God.  Once again, the LORD delivered them into the hand of their enemy.  This time it was the Midianites who oppressed Israel for seven long years.  Because of the heavy hand of the Midianites, the Israelites took to hiding out in dens, and caves, in the rocks, in winepresses, in the mountains – wherever they could find.  The Midianites were particularly ruthless in their dealings with Israel.  They would destroy their crops, their flocks, and their herds leaving no sustenance for Israel. 

But, once again, Israel cried out to the Lord.    And, once again, the Lord sent a deliverer to rescue them.  The angel of the Lord came to a man named Gideon who – like the rest of Israel  – was hiding out from the Midianites.  Instead of threshing the wheat out in the open at the threshing floor, Gideon was threshing the wheat in the winepress hoping not to be spotted by the Midianites.

This is what makes the Angel’s words so unexpected.  The Angel finds Gideon hiding out and says to him, “God is with you, O mighty man of valor.”  Wait!  What?!  Are you talking to me?  I’m no mighty man of valor.  I’m a scaredy-cat.  I’m hiding down here in the wine vat because I’m weak and afraid.  I am actually the weakest member of my family – and my family is the weakest one in all the tribe.  You got the wrong dude!  But the Angel insisted, giving him a radical mission from God – “Go in this might of yours. I am sending you – yes YOU – to deliver your people!”  Then the Angel makes a promise that changes Gideon’s viewpoint completely – “I will be with you and you shall defeat the Midianites.”

After a bit more persuasion from the Angel, Gideon came to the stark realization that this was a genuine divine encounter with the Angel of the Lord.  He says in verse 22, “Alas, O Master God! I have seen the angel of God face-to-face!”  Wow!  A face-to-face encounter with a being from the Spirit world. (Many believe that this was actually a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ Himself – known as a theophany.)  From the moment of that encounter, Gideon became exactly the person God knew he could be – a mighty man of valor.

God saw in him a reality that Gideon didn’t even see in himself.  God saw that he could be more than a wimpering scaredy cat hiding in a winepress.  God knew that Gideon was destined for greater things.  Not because of any character trait of Gideon, but because of the anointing of God’s power upon his life. 

God sees in you a reality that you don’t even see in yourself.  God sees that you can become more than you ever have.  God knows that you are destined for great exploits for His kingdom.  Not because of any natural abilities of your own, but because He will empower you and He will be with you.  Answer the call.  Crawl out of your insecurities and fears.  And trust the Living God to make your life a powerful witness for Him.  God is with YOU, O mighty man/woman of valor!

 

 

August 27 -- "Melody to the Lord"

 Today’s Reading: Judges 5

"Melody to the Lord"

This is the song of Deborah and Barak.  It is a song of victory.  But more than that, it is a song of praise to the God who gave them victory.  Deborah and Barak’s song of praise recalls the dramatic activity of God, the initiative of the leaders, and the willing service of the people which together produced the spectacular victory over Jabin, Sisera, and the military forces of Canaan.  One writer called this song "the finest masterpiece of Hebrew poetry" that "deserves a place among the best songs of victory ever written."¹

The opening stanza gives the reason, as well as the call, to bless the Lord.  Their melody to the LORD praises Him for three reasons: the leaders led, the people served, and God brought the victory. 

They “bless” the LORD that the leaders took the lead in Israel.  The word “bless” in Hebrew means to kneel as an act of reverence.  They were truly thankful that God put it on the hearts of the leaders of the nation to get up and take action.  This outcome wasn’t always assured.  You remember from chapter 4, that it took a strong exhortation from Deborah to get Barak, the military leader, to get up and get going.  Now, they are thankful that God gave him the grace and courage to do so.

They also bless the LORD that the people “offered themselves willingly.”  Oh, what a blessing it is when we experience a grassroots rising of God’s people to service.  In every thriving church, there is always a strong army of servants among the congregation.  The leader cannot do it him/herself.  The people must be willing to offer themselves to get into the fray and take ground from the enemy.

The remainder of this melody to the LORD is praise for His personal involvement in the battle.  They didn’t fight alone.  God intervened and gave them the victory.  He showed Himself strong on their behalf.  And for that, they are truly thankful.

Thus we see three elements that are necessary for the success of any ministry: strong leadership, willing servants, and God’s power.  When these three elements converge, we too will be singing and making melody to the Lord for His victory.  “To the LORD I will sing; I will make melody to the LORD, the God of Israel.”

 ¹Robert H. Pfeiffer, Introduction to the Old Testament

August 26 -- "Up!"

 Today’s Reading: Judges 4

"Up!"

Inciting someone to good works is a practice that is honored and encouraged throughout the Bible.  Hebrews 10:24 commands us to “consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.” There are moments for all of us when we get down and discouraged or when we draw back when confronted by a strong enemy (sin, the flesh, the devil).  In those moments, we need someone to incite us to get up! 

In today’s reading, we have one such exhortation.  Barak, the commander of the Lord’s armies, was down.  He was discouraged and was drawing back because Jabin, the king of Canaan, had amassed an intimidating military arsenal.  We are told that Jabin had cruelly oppressed Israel with his nine hundred iron chariots for twenty years.  Barak was intimidated by this show of force, and was down – really down. It is likely that he was suffering some form of depression or, at least, despair.  His sadness had led to hopelessness and dejection.

Deborah was a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth. She was judge over Israel at that time.  She sent for Barak and said to him, “Get up!  It has become clear that God, the God of Israel, commands you to go to Mount Tabor and prepare for battle against Sisera, the leader of Jabin’s military forces.”  This appeal to Barak was Deborah’s way of inciting him to pull out of his discouragement and get back to doing what God had called him to do.  Barak, still feeling down and discouraged, said to Deborah, “If you go with me, I’ll go. But if you don’t go with me, I won’t go.”  Oftentimes, it is easier to pull out of our periods of discouragement when a fellow believer is by our side supporting us and keeping our head in the game.  This was one of those times. “I can’t do this alone,” says Barak, “I need your support.”  Deborah, moved by her faith in God, assured him that she would be with him.

Deborah’s word to Barak was, “UP!”  You’re down, but get UP.  You’re faith is waning, but get UP. Deborah reminded Barak that the LORD would be marching before them.  By faith, she declared, “This very day God has given you victory over Sisera.”  At the moment when Barak was at his lowest, when he thought defeat was certain, God was exhorting him to get UP and trust Him for the victory.

We all face downturns.  We all go through times of sadness and discouragement.  We are sometimes intimidated by the forces against us.  Sin will flex it’s muscles and say, “you’ll never defeat me.”  But we should never give up. Don’t yield yourself to despair.  Don’t listen to the lies of darkness.  Right at those moments when your defeat seems certain, the LORD says to you - “Up! This very day I have given you victory!”

August 25 -- "A Deliverer Rescues Israel"

Today’s Reading: Judges 3 

"A Deliverer Rescues Israel"

The Lord allowed Israel to be defeated by an enemy nation and taken into servitude.  The people of Israel were in servitude to Cushan-Rishathaim for eight years.

Then, the people of Israel cried out to the LORD and He raised up a deliverer who rescued them, Caleb’s nephew Othniel, son of his younger brother Kenaz. The name “Othniel” means lion of God.  We don’t know much about Othniel, except that “the Spirit of God came upon him” and he rallied the nation.  They went to war and the LORD delivered Cushan-Rishathaim into their hand and they were freed from servitude. This was God’s doing.  "The Spirit of Yahweh" came upon Othniel’s human spirit, enabling him to accomplish what his natural strength could not. After that, the Nation had peace for the next forty years.

It was in answer to Israel's cry that the LORD raised up Othniel as their "savior."  Not only did Othniel lead the people to military victory, he led them back into a right relationship with God. They once again honored the LORD.  The corruption of the people had led to their oppression, and now their repentance leads to their rescue. 

Othniel became the first of some fifteen “Judges” that would govern the Nation over the next 400 years.  These were not judges in the sense of a magistrate or one who presides over courtroom judicial proceedings.  These judges were temporary and special deliverers, sent by God to deliver the Israelites from their oppressors.  Each time the Israelites came to the “end of themselves” and turned back to God for deliverance, they called upon Him and – consistent with His character and promise - He sent a rescuer to deliver them. 

There are two lessons we can learn from this.  The first is that even the most corrupt nation is eligible for God’s mighty deliverance.  If any society will humble themselves and pray, and turn from their wicked ways, the Almighty Deliverer will send deliverance and victory to that society.  As God promised, “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I shall rescue you, and you will honor Me." Psalm 50:15  The second lesson is that God can do mighty things through only one person upon whom is His Spirit.  Jesus said, “apart from Me, you can do nothing” (John 15:5) but when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you can do “all things through Him who strengthens us.” (Philippians 4:13)

If you are open to it and allow God’s Spirit to take control, you too can do mighty works – perhaps even deliver a nation! 

August 24 -- "A Generation Without God"

Today’s Reading: Judges 2 

"A Generation Without God"

They started out so well!  

Under Joshua’s leadership, the people of Israel had committed themselves to fear God, worship Him in total commitment, shun idols, follow the commandments, and serve only the LORD.  Joshua had even given them a clear choice – serve God or serve the false gods of the society around them.  They chose the LORD!  Even after Joshua’s death, the very first thing they did was to inquire of the LORD, seeking His wisdom and guidance for their nation.  The people worshipped God throughout the lifetime of Joshua and the time of the leaders who survived him, leaders who had been in on all of God’s great work that he had done for Israel. It all seemed to be going so well.

Eventually that entire generation died and was buried. Then another generation grew up that didn’t know anything of God or the work He had done for Israel.  And that’s when it all came crashing down!  The younger generation strayed from their commitment to God and began a downward progression toward apostasy. They began to do evil.  They served the Baal-gods and the Ashtarte-goddesses.  They deserted God and their parents. They took up the worship of the “gods” of the people around them.  At eventually, their true God, Yahweh, was provoked to anger.  So much so, that He removed His hand of protection from them and they became helpless before their enemies.

Thus begins a cycle of faith-deteriorating-to-apostasy that would repeat itself within the Nation for the next 400 years. And it all seems to begin with a “new generation” that didn’t know anything about the LORD or His relationship with Israel.  Somewhere along the way, the parents and grandparents failed to impart to their children the truth of God.  So, the children grew up being influenced by the cultural “norms” of the society around them.  Rather than “bringing them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4), the parents allowed the influences of the world to get into their children’s souls and minds.  The results of this are predictable – they end up going after “other gods” and bowing down to them and worshipping something – or someone – other than the LORD.

It has been said, “We cannot continue to send our children to Caesar for their education, and be surprised when they come home as Romans” (Pastor Voddie Baucham). The society around us will influence our children and, if we’re not diligent, will lead them away from God.  Oh, how important it is for each generation to protect their children from the secular influences of the society around them.  Failure to do so can lead to a course of action that ultimately leads to spiritual defeat.  

The enemy is after our children and we must stand in his way!

August 23 -- "Inquiring of the Lord"

 Today’s Reading: Judges 1

"Inquiring of the Lord"

The beginning of a new era has arrived for Israel. The book of Joshua ended with the people settling in the land, but there were still many areas left unconquered. Some enemies remained, and they had yet to claim all the territories that God had promised them. Sadly, Joshua, their leader, passed away, leaving them to continue without his guidance. Now, they must complete the task of occupying the Land, as God had pledged to them.

Before Joshua's passing, he passionately urged the people to fear God, worship Him wholeheartedly, reject idols, obey His commandments, and serve only the LORD. It was an exciting time filled with anticipation and hope. Imagine, a society chosen by God, founded on His principles and laws, and fully devoted to His leadership. This could be the start of something incredible.

The people began well. The very first verse of Judges tells us that they sought guidance from the LORD. They wanted to know the strategy for the upcoming battles and who should lead them in driving out the remaining people in Canaan. They had observed Moses and Joshua doing this for years – seeking God's guidance and wisdom. So, they followed the example of their late leaders and humbly asked God for direction.

Seeking God's guidance is crucial for those who follow Christ. Whenever we need to make a decision, big or small, it is essential to turn to God for His wisdom and direction. Sometimes, we may think a particular course of action is right, but when we seek God's guidance, He may show us a different path. We must learn that correct decisions are not always based on human reasoning, emotions, or passions. Even if we feel strongly about something, God's will may differ from ours.

Inquiring of the Lord involves more asking and seeking His heart rather than simply making requests for ourselves. While petitioning is telling God what we want Him to do for us, inquiring is asking God what is on His heart, what He wants us to pray for, and what His will is. Praying in this way honors God and helps us understand His desires. By humbly inquiring of the Lord, step by step, point by point, we can sense His leading and follow His direction.

August 22 -- "Who Ya Gonna Serve?"

Today’s Reading: Joshua 24

"Who Ya Gonna Serve?"

Many historical figures have certain phrases or quotes closely associated with them. Alfred Lord Tennyson, for example, is credited with saying, “Tis better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all.”  Wayne Gretzky said, “You miss 100 percent of the shots you never take.”  Forrest Gump said, “Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re going to get.”  

Each of these memorable quotes have a way of sticking with us and defining our view of the person who said them.  In today’s key verse, we come to the most memorable and defining quote of Joshua’s life and legacy, “Choose this day whom you will serve… but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”  This quote is remembered today as one of the most important and most defining quotes in the entire Bible.

These are Joshua’s final words to Israel before his death at the age of 110 years old.  This defining quote sets before all of us a choice.  Will we serve the LORD, and Him alone?  Or will we continue to serve other so-called “gods.”   Joshua called together all the tribes of Israel at Shechem. Then Joshua addressed all the people. He reminded them that their ancestors were idol worshippers.  But the LORD rescued them when He took Abraham out of his pagan society and led him to a new land.  

The LORD rescued them again when He sent Aaron and Moses to deliver them from slavery in Egypt.  He rescued them again during their long sojourn in the middle-eastern desert.  Once again when He parted the Jordan River.  And again when He granted them victory over the enemies in the land.  God handed them a land for which they did not work, towns they did not build, and vineyards and olive groves they did not plant.

But in spite of all the LORD’s mighty works in reaching down and saving this nation, they were still vulnerable – still in danger of – falling back into their old idol-worshipping ways. So Joshua warns them and presents them with a clear choice: If you decide to worship God, then get rid of the gods and idols your ancestors worshiped on the far side of the river –or-- if you decide that it’s a bad thing to worship God, then choose a “god” you’d rather serve.  Choose one of the gods your ancestors worshiped from the country beyond the river, or one of the gods of the Amorites, it’s up to you.  But whatever you do, CHOOSE – do it TODAY.

There’s no time to dawdle with this matter.  They must choose their path TODAY!  Don’t put it off any longer.  Don’t think you can sit on the fence.  You must make a choice and you must make it right now.  When the people heard the choice laid out for them, they proclaimed, “We’d never forsake God! Never! We’d never leave God to worship other gods. The LORD is our God!” Today, you are faced with the same choice.  Will you abandon the false “gods” and idols in your life and follow fully after God?  Anything that you love, treasure, prioritize, identify with, or look to for need fulfillment outside of God, can be acting as an idol in your heart and life.  Do you serve success? Or wealth? Or your image?  Or social acceptance?  Or work?  Or some pet sin in your life?  If so, you have a choice to make: “Choose this day whom you will serve.”  Serve God - and Him alone – or stick with your lifeless idols.  

There’s no time to dawdle or delay – you must choose TODAY!  But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD!

 

August 21 -- "Be Very Careful"

 Today’s Reading: Joshua 23

"Be Very Careful"

Three of the most prevalent sins in modern Christianity are prayerlessness, sharelessness, and carelessness.  We commit “prayerlessness” when we do not obey His command to “pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17)  We commit the sin of “sharelessness” when we fail to “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation” (Mark 16:15).

Most often, however, Christians are guilty of “carelessness” with regards to their relationship with God.  Carelessness means to become negligent; show a lack of consideration; to not pay attention.  Christians at all ages and stages of spiritual growth can become complacent about the things of God.  Skipping daily devotions, because “I’ve been so busy.”  Skipping church gatherings, because “my kids have soccer games.”  Skipping prayer time, because “something good was on TV.”  Watch out, dear Christian, for the sin of carelessness.

God’s people are commanded over 200 times in the Bible to “be careful.”  Here in chapter 23, as part of Joshua’s farewell address, he tells the people to “be very careful to love the LORD your God.”  Loving God was not something that Joshua ever wanted the people to take for granted or be careless about.  He wanted them to give full consideration and attention to their love for God.

As followers of Christ, we are exhorted in the New Testament to: “be careful lest the light in you be darkness” (Luke 11:35) and to “be careful to devote yourselves to good works” (Titus 3:8). The opposite of carelessness is carefulness, or diligence.  We must be diligent in our relationship with God because “he that comes to God must believe that He is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.”  Not half-heartedly, but diligently.  Not carelessly, but intentionally.

The end result of prolonged carelessness is tragic.  Jesus described it in Revelation 2:4 by saying “that you have left your first love.”  So, take a little inventory of your life:  If you can go hours or days without having more than a passing thought of Him; if You don’t have a strong desire to spend time with Him; If you don’t have a strong hunger for His Word or Bible reading is a “chore”; if Your worship is formal, dry, lifeless, merely going through the motions; or if you crave human companionship more than a relationship with Christ, then be certain that the sin of carelessness has crept into your life.

How do you fix carelessness?  It’s as simple as realizing your sin, remembering where God wants you to be, and returning to your first love – Jesus.  He is waiting with open arms for you to diligently seek Him.  Be very careful, therefore, to love the Lord your God.

August 20 -- "What God Requires of You"

 Today’s Reading: Joshua 22

"What God Requires of You"

What does the Lord require of you?  According to Joshua’s words, quite a bit. 

In today’s reading, Joshua is releasing the eastern tribes (Reuben, Gad, and half-tribe of Manasseh) to return to their lands on the eastern side of the Jordan river. Before they go, he gives them an exhortation regarding what God will require of them once they have arrived.  In verse 5, Joshua mentions five requirements: (1) keep the commandments; (2) love the Lord; (3) walk in His ways; (4) cling to Him; and, (5) serve Him with all your heart and soul.

This is a very daunting list.  How is it possible for any individual (let alone an entire community) to meet these requirements?  If you try to observe and do all these things you’re in for huge disappointment (if you attempt in your own strength, that is). If you attempt to earn God’s favor by any form of human effort or determination you will always fall short.  

Keeping God’s commandments and laws is an impossible task for any human being to undertake.  In fact, the New Testament tells us that all have sinned and fallen short of God’s requirements (Romans 3:23).  There is no one righteous, no not one. (Romans 3:1)  If you are attempting to become righteous by your own efforts to keep God’s commandments and love Him and walk in His ways and cling to Him and serve Him with all your heart, you have fallen short.  You cannot earn your own righteousness by doing these things.

Later on, the prophet Micah seems to lighten the burden somewhat when he says, “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what the Lord requires of you: but to do justice, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8)  At first glance, this list seems much easier than Joshua’s list.  But truth be told – none of us have lived up to Micah’s list either.  We have not always done justly.  We haven’t always been kind and merciful.  And our pride has kept us from truly walking humbly with God. 

That’s where the GLORIOUS news of the Gospel pierces our soul.  The Son of God, Jesus Christ, reveals to us that God’s only requirement is that we believe in Him.  And by doing so, our failures will be wiped off our record and we will be declared righteous in God’s sight. At the cross Christ absorbed the judgment of God that was due to us because of our sin and failure.  Now, by faith we are made righteous in His sight.  Think of it!  All your sins and failures are washed away and you are right with God!

Does that mean we no longer keep God’s commandments and love Him and walk in His ways and cling to Him and serve Him with all our hearts?  Of course not.  It means that we no longer do these things to try and win His acceptance.  We have already been accepted based on our faith in Christ.  We do these things now, not to earn His favor, but because His favor has been graciously bestowed upon us.  And, we do these things – not in our own power – but by the power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in us!

August 19 -- "Not. One. Word."

Today’s Reading: Joshua 20 & 21

"Not. One. Word."

Verse 45 describes the theme and purpose of the Book of Joshua – to testify of God’s promise keeping character.  Although this book comes under the heading of “Old Testament History,” it is way more than just the facts of Israel’s history.  Its purpose is to give testimony of the faithfulness of God.

Not one good word of God failed. Not. One. Word. God fulfilled every promise He made to Israel. Everything God promised His people He brought about.  What an amazing testimony!  Our God, who cannot lie, is a Promise Keeper.  The substance of this testimony seems to be that we can count on God's Word. God will consistently do what He says He will do.  And He performed multiple miracles along the way in order to keep His promises.  Unexpected miracles.  Powerful miracles.  He unexpectedly stopped up the waters of the Jordan, collapsed the walls of Jericho, stopped the sun in the sky, and helped Israel defeat their enemies.

In the same way, dear Christian, you must grasp the truth that your God is The Promise Keeper extraordinaire.  Not one good word that God has spoken to you will fail.  When your life reaches its final moments, this will be your testimony – that the Lord fulfilled every promise He made to YOU!  Your life will testify of God’s faithfulness and of the many times He performed miracles in order to keep His promises.  On your gravestone it will read, “God’s Promises are True.”

God promises you the presence and power of the Holy Spirit to fill you, to lead you, to comfort you, to empower you, and to lead you into all truth.  God promises to supply every need you have.  God promises that His grace is sufficient for you. He promises that you will not be overtaken by temptation if you will but trust His way of escape. The Lord promises that all things will work together for good in your life.  God promises forgiveness for all of your sins.  He promises you victory over the deceptive schemes of the devil.  God promises that your life will “bear much fruit” as you abide in Him.  The Lord promises to be with you always, even to the end of the world.  And the Lord of Life promises that those who believe in His Son will never die, but will have everlasting life.

There are over 3,000 promises made to believers in the Bible.  These are promises made to YOU.  And not one good word of God will fail.  Let your life be a testimony to this truth: When God makes a promise, He keeps it.  Not one word of the good promises that the Lord has made will fail; all will come to pass. 

August 18 -- "Finishing Well"

 Today’s Reading: Joshua 19

"Finishing Well"

The Promised Land has been conquered by Israel.  The land now has rest from war. The leaders of Israel are nearly finished dividing the land.  Each of the tribes has received their allotment.  The last thing for them to do is bestow an allotment upon Joshua the son of Nun.  They ask him which parcel he would like and he responds “Timnath-serah in the hill country of Ephraim on the north (side) of the mountain of Gaash.”

Timnath-serah was a beautiful area with mountains, rolling hills, and numerous brooks and streams of fresh water.  It is also a well-protected area. Because of its high vantage point, Joshua could easily see for miles and would be alerted if any intruders were approaching. That’s Joshua – always thinking like a military leader.

Joshua was nearly forty years old when he originally participated in the exodus from Egypt.  When they passed over Jordan he was eighty-four years of age; and after about twenty-six years laboring as the conquering leader of Israel he is now around one-hundred-ten years old.

The allotment of land to Joshua is a fitting reward for his years of faithfulness and hard work.  He had lived an exemplary life with not a single blot on his record recorded in the Scriptures.  He was a man of diligence, faith, and confidence in the God he loved.  He seems to have served the Lord with singular fidelity. His life was truly a reflection of the LORD of Hosts, the God he served.

Joshua finished well.  Unlike many who set out with good intentions but then falter somewhere along the way, Joshua remained faithful until the very end.  He, like the Apostle Paul, was able to say, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7)

Finishing well doesn’t happen by accident. It takes an intentional effort on the part of every follower of Christ to “fight” the good fight and to stay on course daily throughout our lives.  It is a fight – filled with struggles and conflicts and spiritual combat - to finish well.  We finish well when we fight until the devil is soundly defeated.  This is the only way we will get out of the ring alive.

We also finish well by not dropping out of the race before reaching the finish line. Joshua, like Paul, was able to say, “I have finished the course.”  So, don’t give up, dear pilgrim, press on to the finish line.  I don’t know how long you’ve been running the race, but I’m guessing it is nowhere near 110 years.  So keep going.  Finish well.  The reward for your diligence and faithfulness awaits.  “Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day– and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:8)

August 17 -- "Shiloh: Our Worship Center"

 Today’s Reading: Joshua 18

"Shiloh: Our Worship Center"

When the children of Israel first crossed the Jordan, they initially set up the Tabernacle at Gilgal, a convenient place because it was just across the river.  But now, after subduing the Land, they move their worship center to Shiloh.  Shiloh was westward from the Jordan and located about 30 miles north of Jerusalem.  Shiloh was located at the geographic center of the Promised Land.   From this location, the worship center could be easily accessed by all of Israel’s tribes. The Tabernacle would remain at this location for nearly 300 years until the Philistines attacked and destroyed the city (See 1 Samuel 4:1-11).  This would be the place for the spiritual gathering of the people.

It is believed that Joshua himself, acting under direct revelation from God, gave the town its name.  “Shiloh” is a Messianic word that is first mentioned in Genesis 49:10, “The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh comes; and to Him shall be the obedience of the people.”  We recognize this as one of the greatest Messianic prophecies of the entire Bible, referring to the Person who would be the future King of Israel (Jesus Christ) .  The name of this town would be a constant reminder to the nation of God’s promises to send the Rescuer and Redeemer to save the people.  This glorious Messianic word was applied to the site of the Holy Tabernacle, because the Tabernacle itself, with its High Priest, its numerous sacrifices, and its focus on the LORD was typical of Messiah himself. 

It was totally appropriate that this town be located at the center of Israel and be established as the worship center for the Nation.  Its centrality communicates that worship of God must always be the heart of their national identity.  Worship of God must be the epicenter of all that they are and all that they do.

In like manner, our worship of God must never be an afterthought or just a Sunday morning routine.  Our worship of God must be the epicenter of all that we are and all that we do.  We must recognize that assembling together at the place for worship is our most awesome privilege and opportunity to connect directly with God, with our Messiah, and with His people.  Jesus would later on remind us that “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." (John 4:24). Our Shiloh is not a geographic location, but that place at the center of our heart where we “worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.” (Psalm 95:6) Like Israel, Shiloh – not the place – but the Person, is our worship center.

August 16 -- "Not Utterly Driven Out"

 Today’s Reading: Joshua 16 & 17

"Not Utterly Driven Out"

This was a failure on the part of Joshua and the children of Israel. By not utterly driving out the Canaanites, they failed to take full possession of the Promised Land, thereby not entering into the complete victory God had promised them.  

The whole experience of the children of Israel coming out of the bondage of Egypt, passing through the wilderness, and coming into the Promised Land can be viewed as a spiritual allegory. It is representative of us as Christians coming out of our “Egypt,” the bondage to sin. The Red Sea is equivalent to our baptism and coming into a new relationship with God. God has promised unto us a life of victory over our flesh if we will follow Him and trust Him. Forty years in the wilderness is like those periods of time in our lives where we struggle with our faith and trust in God. Crossing the Jordan River represents us finally coming into the walk and the life of the Spirit that God wants each of us to experience and to know. 

The Lord wants us to take every square foot of His promises!  He desires that we take full victory over every area that the enemy has had a stronghold in our lives. If we allow any of these strongholds of the enemy to remain, they are going to be a continual and constant problem to us in our spiritual growth.

All the areas of your flesh (maybe it is a bad temper, maybe it is anger, maybe it is pride, or lust, or whatever) have to be dealt with in your life. God wants to give you complete and full victory over every area of your flesh. He has provided all that you need. But many times, just as the children of Israel failed to utterly drive out their enemies and those enemies return to cause future trouble, we too can fail to drive out these “inhabitants” of our hearts.  

Their failure to drive out the enemy utterly worked to their own disadvantage. So many times in our own lives, those areas where we fail to go in and lay claim to our victory in Christ are the very areas where we find ourselves attacked by Satan in the future, and oftentimes defeated in the future because we failed to fully take the promise that God has given to us and lay claim to the full victory that we can have as we walk in the Spirit.

The failure of complete victory is one of the sad and tragic notes of Joshua’s leadership. They did not utterly drive out the inhabitants. They did not fully take the land. They did not conquer all that God had given, and it later worked to their own harm. So let us not follow after the same example, but let us press into our walk in the Spirit, entering into His fullness by conquering every aspect of our fleshly nature.

Don’t put limitations on your limitless God.  He is not limited by your fears or failures.  And don't let a single inhabitant remain in the "land." None of them are as innocent or as impotent as we may perceive.  Failure to utterly drive them all out will work to your disadvantage. He can conquer every enemy in “the land!”  So, press on and utterly drive out the unwanted inhabitants of your heart by the power of His Spirit.

August 15 -- "Victory Over Your 'Big' Problems"

 Today’s Reading: Joshua 15

"Victory Over Your Big Problems"

One group of adversaries Caleb faced during his efforts to conquer the portion of land granted to him were the “sons of Anak.”  Known collectively as “Anakim” (plural of Anak), this people group presented a formidable challenge.  

The Anakim were a very tall people. Deuteronomy 9:2 describes them as "a people great and tall, the sons of the Anakim, whom you know, and of whom you have heard it said, 'Who can stand before the sons of Anak?'"  The Anakim were descendants of Anak, a renowned figure who was described as a giant or a member of a tribe of giants. They are often associated with great stature and strength. The Anakim were a powerful foe of the Israelites in ancient times.

It was the Anakim that terrified the spies Moses had sent to investigate the land.  They reported, "And there we saw the Nephilim (the sons of Anak, who come from the Nephilim), and we seemed to ourselves like grasshoppers, and so we seemed to them." (Numbers 13:33)  They were a “big” problem!  So much so, that ten of Israel’s spies withdrew in fear, believing they didn’t stand a chance against them.  And they persuaded the nation to not even try.

Nevertheless, Caleb trusted God.  He knew that the Anakim were no match for God’s power.  Caleb realized that the “enormity of a job is always measured by the agent doing the work.”  In other words, if you have a big and strong enough "agent", any problem can be conquered.

If you need to dig a swimming pool, don’t use a tablespoon as your "agent" – use the power of an excavator and backhoe.  They are big and strong enough to conquer even the hardest soil.  If you need to conquer the huge sins in your life, don’t undertake the battle on your own, relying on a tablespoon of "positive thinking" or a teaspoon of "self-help." No, call upon the Lord to do the work. He is the greatest "Agent" of all, and if He is the agent, every adversary will fall.

Sometimes we too have problems or challenges that seem too “big” to conquer.  We may think, “Oh sure God can take care of my small issues, like my foul mouth or my anger, but He could never conquer my drug addiction or alcoholism.  These problems are just too big even for Him.”  Don’t fall for this line of thinking.  There is no sin, no challenge, no problem that God is not big enough and strong enough to conquer!  If God is the “Agent” doing the work, every adversary will fall before Him!