August 8 -- "Be Not Dismayed"

Today’s Reading: Joshua 8 

"Be Not Dismayed"

The dictionary defines “dismay” as “consternation and distress, typically that caused by something unexpected; a feeling of fear, disappointment, shock, or worry.”  In the original Hebrew language, this word means “to lower someone's spirits; make downhearted.” 

Joshua was fearful and dismayed. His spirits were down.  He was downhearted after the nation’s unexpected defeat at the small city of Ai.  Perhaps Joshua never considered the possibility that Israel would actually face losses during their military deployment to conquer the land of Canaan.  Perhaps he thought it would be one decisive win after the other.  Their defeat at Ai was “something unexpected” and it rattled Joshua’s confidence.  His morale was low.  It probably shook his equilibrium a bit.

In the same way, when you and I enter God’s “Promised Land” and begin to conquer our spiritual enemies (sin, the flesh), we sometimes get so confident that we begin to think there will never be setbacks or struggles in our battle to overcome sin.  When a setback comes – and it eventually will – it can rattle our confidence as well.  Perhaps we felt that sin would just “melt away” as we progressed in our walk with Christ.  Perhaps we never realized that some sins are more stubborn than others and may take a concentrated and prolonged effort to conquer.  When this happens, we can become dismayed – getting downhearted and discouraged.  Satan loves to use these moments in our lives to get our eyes off of our God and begin to mistrust and worry.

When the LORD saw that Joshua’s spirits were down, He spoke to him and said “Do not be dismayed.”  With these words, He inspired Joshua to new courage.  He exhorted him to be filled with faith once again.  In fact, the command “do not be dismayed” is one of the most often repeated phrases in Scripture, appearing over a dozen times.  God doesn’t want His people to be downhearted, shocked, worried, or fearful.  He wants His people to be filled with faith as they confidently rely on Him.  Yes, there will be setbacks and struggles, but never let them rob you of your joy and faith.

Whatever battle you are facing today – whatever stubborn sin is giving you disappointment and worry – listen to God’s words to you… “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

August 7 -- "Get Rid of the Devoted Things"

 Today’s Reading: Joshua 7

"Get Rid of the Devoted Things"

In today's passage we read of a very “little” thing had a profound effect on the entire nation of Israel. The Lord had told the Israelites, “there is an accursed thing in your midst.”  Hidden among you, O Israel, are things that are despised and rejected by the LORD.  God was displeased that Israel had not been fully obedient to Him in the conquest of Jericho. One of the people, Achan, secretly kept for himself what he should have destroyed.  Therefore, when the Israelites moved on to attack the much smaller town of Ai, God allowed them to be driven back and to suffer unexpected losses.  

God told Joshua the reason for Israel’s defeat. One person’s sin concerning the devoted things of Jericho was enough to break the agreement that the whole nation had made with God, and so bring disaster upon it.  Evidently, Achan had confiscated some of the pagan idols and other religious artifacts that were used by the Canaanites in their worship of false gods. God was not pleased.  This act brought an impurity into Achan’s life, his family, his tribe, and his nation.  God demanded purity amongst His people and God insisted that Israel rid itself of these cursed things.

We too can be guilty of bringing “cursed things” into our life, family, church, and community.  Anytime we hold on to sin in our hearts, we are keeping back for ourself something that God has commanded us to destroy.  And to be sure – it only takes a “little” sin to bring defeat into our lives. The works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, lust, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like.  If we allow any of these “little” sins to remain unchallenged in our lives, we are bringing defeat into our spiritual life.  Rid yourself of these things.

Just as Achan was commanded to get rid of the accursed things, so we too must “put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him.” (Colssians 3:8-10)

Thus says the LORD God of Israel, “there is an accursed thing in your midst.”  Rid yourself of the cursed things in your own heart and life or you, too, may suffer unexpected losses at the hands of your enemies.

August 6 -- "How Walls Come Down"

 Today’s Reading: Joshua 6

"How Walls Come Down"

The destruction of Jericho demonstrated the kind of warfare that Israel was engaged in.  This was no physical assault using the traditional implements of war.  This wasn’t a case where the walls fell due to great force being applied. It wasn’t a windstorm, or an earthquake, or the vibrations caused by the trumpets and shouts of the people that caused this wall to fall.  Israel was engaged in a spiritual war, and this victory at Jericho was a spiritual event.  

It was nothing other than a supernatural miracle orchestrated by the Almighty God that gave Israel the city that day.  A spiritual victory.  This was demonstrated in the important role of the priests, the prominence of the ark of the covenant, the repeated use of the number seven (God’s number) in the battle preparations, the trumpets, and the shouting of the people.

The collapse of the walls at the exact moment God planned showed that victory came through the power of God, in response to the faith of his people.  “By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days.” (Hebrews 11:30)  The Israelites demonstrated their faith by following God’s will – even though His will seemed foolish and ineffective on the surface.  After all, who conquers a city by carrying an ark, walking in circles, blowing trumpets, and shouting?  Their faith was not in any of these impractical actions – their faith was in God to keep His promises.  They had no problem because they had finally come to believe that their God was big enough!

As you engage in spiritual warfare to conquer the “enemies in the land” (the world, flesh, devil) keep in mind that God’s ways are not man’s ways.  He may ask you to undertake some seemingly impractical and even foolish actions to get victory.  You should have no problem with it if your God is big enough. It took great faith for Israel to believe that blowing a trumpet would have an impact on their enemy.  

In the same way, it will take great faith for you to believe that tithing, for example, will give you victory over your financial difficulties.  It seems impractical, and others may tell you it is foolish.  But you should have no problem with it if your God is big enough.  It may seem silly that by forgiving someone who has wronged you will have a positive effect on your spiritual well-being.  But God tells you to do it anyway.  You should have no problem with it if your God is big enough.

So, blow the trumpets and shout!  Don’t try to outwit or outsmart your flesh.  Do it God’s way. Follow the steps He prescribes. And watch the walls of your spiritual enemies start to fall.

August 5 -- "When God Changes Leaders"

Today’s Reading: Joshua 4 & 5 

"When God Changes Leaders"

Jesus taught us that “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” (Matthew 23:12)  In today’s reading we have an example of a humble man who was exalted by God. 

There is a critical moment in every transition from one leader to his/her successor.  That moment is characterized by whether or not the people will accept and follow the replacement.  In many countries, the change of a political leader often results in chaos and confusion, especially when that leader is removed unwillingly. But in today’s passage, we see one of the smoothest transitions of power ever recorded. 

Moses, of course, has now passed from the scene.  He had been revered and respected by the people of Israel as their God-chosen leader for forty years. Moses had made it clear near the end of his life, that Joshua the son of Nun had been chosen by God to take over when he was gone.  The people heard it.  They knew it.  But did they accept it?  Would Joshua be afforded the same respect and loyalty that Moses had?

When the LORD exalts a new leader, He makes certain that the people will indeed recognize him as God’s choice for leadership.  In this case, Joshua’s “stock rose” when the people passed over the Jordan River on dry ground.  God had stepped in and miraculously made a way for the people to achieve their lifelong goal of conquering the Promised Land. This miracle gave the people’s faith a much-needed boost and simultaneously caused them to recognize Joshua as their new leader.  God miraculously exalted Joshua.

When God changes leaders, expect to see signs from Him that bear witness to the new leader’s role.  Perhaps not the parting of the Jordan, but strong signs of His calling.  When a church loses their beloved Pastor for example, it is often very difficult for his replacement to garner widespread acceptance.  At least at first.  But over time, God will exalt that Pastor.  He will anoint his words with the Spirit of life and guide his decisions with God-given wisdom.  In due time, that new Pastor who humbles himself, will be exalted in the eyes of the people.

August 4 -- "Crossing Our Jordan"

Today’s Reading: Joshua 2 & 3

"Crossing Our Jordan"

The LORD now appears in such a way, and works in such a manner, as to leave no doubt concerning His presence, or His power, or of His love to Israel.  Even as God parted the Red Sea for the previous generation, He now stops the Jordan River in flood season so His chosen people can cross over to the Promised Land. 

This section of Scripture is ripe with application to our spiritual lives. We began our life’s journey in spiritual “Egypt” – representing the pre-Christ life of sin and bondage.  In Egypt, our hearts cried out for deliverance from the emptiness and futility of life.  We wallowed in the anguish of an un-regenerated heart.  But then the day came when we crossed the “sea” into a new life in Christ.  On that day, the Lord orchestrated the circumstances of our life in such a way that we called upon Him in faith and were quickened by the Holy Spirit. We were born again!  We emerged from Egypt into a new life in Christ. 

When we started our journey with Christ, most of us had no idea how long it would take or the troubles we would face in our “wilderness.”  After all, we were promised a life of victory, joy, peace, and safety.  We looked forward to that deep fellowship with our Creator in the Promised Land of life in the Spirit.  

But something went wrong.  We soon discovered that our fallen human nature had come along for the ride.  We entered a spiritual wilderness experience complete with rebellion, complaining, and unbelief.  Our faith was tested.  Our pride broken. We struggled with intensified temptation and spiritual attacks.  At times, we lost sight of our destination and chose to wallow in the pain.  God, of course, never left us.  He remained by our side as trials and struggles tested us.

But then the day comes when our unbelief gives way to a new faith. By faith, we take God at His word and emerge from the wilderness into the life of promise. Crossing the Jordan represents coming into a new relationship with God by faith.  As followers of Christ, we have been promised a life of victory, peace, and spiritual fulfillment.  The only way to enter into that life is by faith.  

The Israelites entered the Promised Land for one reason – by faith they expected God to do a miracle.  In fact, the leading priests stepped into the flowing waters of the Jordan BEFORE God blew even back the water and opened up a pathway on dry ground. You too, will only cross over into the promised life of joy, peace, victory and spiritual fulfillment when you stop relying on your self and, by faith, expect God to do a miracle in your life.  He will appear in such a way, and work in such a manner, as to leave no doubt concerning His presence, or His power, or of His love to you!

August 3 -- "Speak. Meditate. Do."

 Today’s Reading: Joshua 1

"Speak. Meditate. Do."

After the death of Moses, the LORD began speaking to Joshua, Israel’s new leader.  He begins by giving Joshua a great commission – he must lead God’s people into the Promised Land.  Go over the Jordan River and take the Land.  Take all of it from the wilderness to Lebanon, from the Euphrates River to the Mediterranean Sea.  Divide the Land amongst the tribes of Israel.  Do not turn to the right or left.  He is telling Joshua to “stay on mission.”

Before he goes though, God gives Joshua a command regarding the Book of the Law.  He tells him that if he wants his mission to succeed – if he wants his progress to be prosperous – he must do three things with the Word of God.  He must speak it, meditate on it, and do it.  If you do these three things, Joshua, “you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success” (V8). The LORD is making it clear, in no uncertain terms, that Joshua's success as Israel’s new leader depends entirely upon what he does with God’s Word.

Speak it.  “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth.”  The language of the leader must be the language of God.  When he speaks, his words must always be saturated with God’s words.  When the people hear the words coming out of his mouth, they must hear of God’s truth.  It should be said of God’s leader that he/she is a person who speaks truth.

Meditate on it. “You shall meditate on it day and night.”  This refers to Joshua’s “alone time” with God.  To meditate means to think deeply and focus one’s mind; to muse and contemplate.  Not only should Joshua’s verbal expressions be God’s words, his thoughts must be God’s thoughts.  Meditating upon God’s truth would keep Joshua’s mind clear and focused on God’s ways.  He must make time daily to saturate his mind with truth.

Do it.  “That you may observe to do according to all that is written in it.” Joshua, listen up!  It’s not just words to ponder or words to speak.  My Law are the words you must obey and you must lead my people to obey.  Whatever I have commanded you through my servant Moses, you must be very careful to put into practice. 

We, too, must take the Word of God seriously.  We must speak it. Meditate on it. And do it. Only then will our way be prosperous and only then will we have good success.

August 2 -- "The Shadow of the Almighty"

Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 34 & Psalm 91

"The Shadow of the Almighty"

The “Midrash,” an ancient Jewish commentary on Hebrew Scriptures states that Psalm 91 was composed by Moses on the day he completed the building of the Tabernacle in the desert.

In this Psalm, Moses paints a fabulous picture of what it means to find God’s protection in the midst of danger.  The Psalm list various threats that faced the Israelites as they traveled for 40 years through the hot middle-eastern desert. 

Among these threats were the snare of the fowler (V3), deadly pestilence (V3), plague (V10), terror of the night (V5), arrows at night (V5) the lion, (V12) and the adder – a venomous snake (V12).  Moses’ key point in this Psalm is that it doesn’t matter what dangers or threats come upon you, God’s protecting power is greater than them all!

We can apply this Psalm as a symbol of the Christian journey. Similar to the Israelites in the wilderness, a Christian is certainly a “stranger and pilgrim” (1 Peter 2:11) traveling through a dangerous place towards our heavenly home.  On this journey, our enemy (Satan) will repeatedly assault us with various spiritual threats.  In 1 Peter 5, Satan is described as a “roaring lion” and in Genesis 1 as a “serpent.”  All along our journey, this enemy is seeking to destroy us by attempting to strike us with threats on all sides.  His goal: to prevent us from entering God’s eternal kingdom.

But Satan is no match for the Almighty LORD of Lords!  And here in this Psalm, God promises that those who turn to Him for protection and shelter will be kept from all these dangers. Psalm 91 goes on to say of the LORD, that He will deliver you (V3), He will cover you (V4), and He will command His angels to guard you (V11).  These are powerful promises of God’s mighty protection.

The imagery of dwelling in the shadow of the Almighty suggests being in close proximity to God's divine presence, finding safety, security, and protection under His care. It implies that those who seek refuge in God and remain close to Him will experience His divine protection and provision.

There is a “catch” though.  To receive God’s mighty protection, you must dwell in His shelter, abide in His shadow, trust in Him, know His name, and “hold fast” to Him in love (V14). You must intentionally make the LORD your “dwelling place” (V9).  If you do, there is not a single danger or threat from your enemy that will have any power over you!  In the same way that stepping out of the sun into a nearby shadow can save a weary, sunburned desert traveler from destruction, we must step out of Satan’s dark shadows and get ourselves under the “shadow of the Almighty”!