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.