Joshua 12-15

Daily Reading

Joshua 12-15

Daily Thought

Yet the people of Israel did not drive out the Geshurites or the Maacathites, but Geshur and Maacath dwell in the midst of Israel to this day. ~Joshua 13:13

God made it clear. The land is filled with evil. Drive out all of the evil from the land. They drove out a lot, but not all. Not everybody. Sometimes some cities didn't appear worth the battle and they allowed them to remain.  They allowed these people to live among them.  

God's church, like the nation of Israel, is called to be holy, yet sins linger.  Gossip, gluttony, lust, greed, hypocrisy, pride.  They seem petty, not worth the battle it would require to remove them, so we allow them to linger.  We fear the war when we should fear the peace.  These cannot continue to live among us.

Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.  ~Philippians 2:12-13

Eighty-five years young, Caleb remains ready for battle.  "So now give me this hill country of which the Lord spoke on that day, for you heard on that day how the Anakim were there, with great fortified cities. It may be that the Lord will be with me, and I shall drive them out just as the Lord said" (Joshua 14:12).  When a young spy, Caleb stood in the minority, prepared to trust the Lord against a great foe.  His confidence was not in himself, but in his God.  Those of old age speak more often of past victories, but Caleb is ready to fight yet again. Forty-five years had not diminished his trust in the Almighty, nor his resolve to drive out evil, no matter how formidable.  "I shall drive them out just as the Lord said."  

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?  No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. ~Romans 8:31-32, 37

Daily Prayer

Holy God, You called me to be perfect just like You. Which I cannot do... on my own. May my repentance be true. I choose to turn away from my sin, and God, I need Your Spirit to give me guidance and strength not to turn back. Thank You that even when I fall and fail, I can return and confess, and the once-for-all death of Your Son, Jesus Christ, covers all my sins.

I am so glad You are perfect and that Your standard is holiness. What other kind of eternity would be good? Thank You, Father, for doing the work that makes my holiness possible. It is only in the Name of Your Son, Jesus Christ.

Amen

Joshua 9-11

Daily Reading

Joshua 9-11

Daily Thought

Joshua 10 describes the fabulous and fantastic defeat of five armies from five cities.  Israel battled and God threw hailstones from heaven and the armies ran.  To annihilate them, Joshua requested of God, "Sun, stand still at Gibeon, and moon, in the Valley of Aijalon."  Is this not written in the Book of Jashar? The sun stopped in the midst of heaven and did not hurry to set for about a whole day (Joshua 10:12-13).

Question: Did the sun actually stay in the sky, giving Joshua and his army a longer day so they could bring the war to completion?

First of all, the sun didn't stop, because the sun doesn't rise either.  This is phenomenal language, the language of appearance.  The sun does not orbit, rather the earth rotates.  If anything, the earth stopped its rotation.

An old wit says, 2 Jews 3 opinions, and there is no shortage here.  One Old Testament scholar suggests that the word for "stand still" may be translated "stand silent."  Joshua, in this case, was praying for extended darkness rather than light, which was provided by the clouds.  Clouds would be consistent with the large hailstones God threw down from heaven at the enemy (Joshua 10:11).  Another argues that the words are merely symbolic, coming from the poetic Book of Jashar.  It has also been suggested that the earth's rotation slowed for a time, resulting in a longer day.  And a rather lengthy argument finds parallel language in the omens of Mesopotamia, referring to celestial signs when the moon and sun occupy the sky together.

You may have heard a story about NASA mapping out the movement of the sun, moon, and planets, and running into an error of exactly 24 hours for which they could not account.  Finally, one scientist recalled two lessons from Sunday School. The first was Isaiah asking God to back the sun up 40 minutes as a sign to King Hezekiah.  The other, our passage, which they calculated at 23 hours, 20 minutes.  Added together, one complete day, and the computers reconciled the discrepancy.  Voila!

Except this never happened.  A Mr. Harold Hill fabricated the story when giving lectures on Science and the Bible, and it was published in a newspaper, printed in a book, and passed from pulpit to pulpit.  Science argued the miracle was not possible (what miracle is?), yet this is God's Word, so Mr. Hill thought to bring Science and Scripture together.  (Isn't the con man in the musical Music Man also named Harold Hill?  Hmmm.)  Where does this idea that we need to rescue God come from?    

Nor does God need us to pit Science against Scripture, as if God and Science are at war.  When Science and Scripture conflict, the issue is as likely to be my interpretation of Scripture as the scientist's interpretation of nature.   God is not anti-science, and good science is not anti-God.  Rather, "the heavens declare the glory of God" (Psalm 19:1), and God's eternal power and divine nature have been clearly perceived ever since the creation of the world in the things that have been made (Romans 1:20).

My answer regarding Joshua 10?  I don't know.  I prefer some explanations over others, but when all is said and done, I don't know, and that's okay.  

Daily Prayer

Mighty God, the heavens declare Your glory, and the sky above proclaims Your handiwork.  Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge.  There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard.  Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.

I rise to a new day, made by You, and I shall delight in it.  I shall stop often and listen to Your voice in the world around me, worship You as I ponder Your creation, stand in wonder at the wisdom of beauty in Your handiwork.  Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Amen

Joshua 5-8

Daily Reading

Joshua 5-8
 

Daily Thought

But the people of Israel broke faith in regard to the devoted things, for Achan the son of Carmi, son of Zabdi, son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of the devoted things. And the anger of the Lord burned against the people of Israel.  ~Joshua 7:1

Question: Why did God hold the entire nation of Israel accountable for the sin of just one person?  

God says to his people, "For I am the Lord who brought you up out of the land of Egypt to be your God. You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy" (Leviticus 11:45).  Israel is to be holy, and God is teaching them what holiness looks like.  

As Israel defeated the strong and fortified city of Jericho, God instructed them to destroy everything except the silver and gold and bronze and iron, which were to go to the treasury of the Lord.  Next in line was little Ai, but Ai prevailed.  Joshua was dismayed, tore his clothes, and fell on his face before the Lord, but God said, " "Get up! Why have you fallen on your face?  Israel has sinned; they have transgressed my covenant that I commanded them; they have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen and lied and put them among their own belongings (Joshua 7:10-11).  

Think of a jigsaw puzzle. 7,500 pieces, and 7,499 in place.  1 piece missing.  When God said "they," he was referring to all of Israel, but he was really talking about one man, Achan.  

...and the 7,499 no longer matter.

The Lord God commanded the man, saying, "You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die" (Genesis 2:16-17).  Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why does that one piece of fruit look so attractive?

Achan's sin stood out because his sin is our sin.  We are, and always are the one piece missing, because we are attracted to the glitter of gold rather than the glory of God.  We are not holy and we need a Savior. 

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. ~2Corinthians 5:21

Daily Prayer

Father, thank You for life, for creation, for this world, for my family, for work to do and a purpose to live. Thank You for all the blessings You pour on me. Thank You for my church family, for worship, for Your Word, for the wonderful time in prayer, for communion, for service, for love.

Sin corrupts every good thing. I'm sorry that I find it so attractive.  God, forgive me and cleanse me for the sin I do. I so desire life and life abundantly. I pray that I will be so filled with Your love and Your goodness that sin will no longer look desirable. God, please put Your desires in my heart.

Amen

Joshua 1-4

Daily Reading

Joshua 1-4

Daily Thought

From the day I met Debbie, I began opening the car door for her.  When we are leaving...

"We have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt.  As soon as we heard it, our hearts melted, and there was no spirit left in any man because of you, for the Lord your God, he is God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath."  ~Joshua 2:10-11

And when we arrive...

As soon as those bearing the ark had come as far as the Jordan, and the feet of the priests bearing the ark were dipped in the brink of the water, the waters coming down from above stood and rose up in a heap very far away.  And the people passed over opposite Jericho.  ~Joshua 3:15-16

It is more than a gesture. It is an announcement. I want the world to know that she is my girl, my one-and-only, and I'd do anything for her.

And he said to the people of Israel, "When your children ask their fathers in times to come, 'What do these stones mean?' then you shall let your children know, 'Israel passed over this Jordan on dry ground.'" ~Joshua 4;21-22

Daily Prayer

Lord God, not only do You go before me, but You set the path in front of me, and light the path for me with Your Word. Father, You came to bring me life and life abundantly. You announced that Your Kingdom is here, right in front of me. God, I choose to follow You, the King of heaven and earth.

King of kings, I pray for your guidance and protection.  I pray that I would reflect Your way of life. That I would embrace goodness and godliness.  Thank You for not only instructing me as to what is good, but showing me the good by sending Your Son, Jesus Christ.

Amen

Deuteronomy 32-34

Daily Reading

Deuteronomy 32-34

Daily Thought

Moses, at 120 years old, eyes undimmed and vigor unabated (Deuteronomy 34:7), climbs Mount Nebo to view the Promised Land.  He led the people to the threshold, but he will not go in.  The Lord said to him, "This is the land of which I swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, 'I will give it to your offspring.' I have let you see it with your eyes, but you shall not go over there" (Deuteronomy 34:4).  Paging back to Numbers 20 reminds us why.  Moses struck the rock at Maribah instead of speaking to the rock as God instructed him.  Because of this, "because you did not believe in me," God said, "you shall not bring this assembly into the land that I have given them." After leading the children of Israel for 80 years, Moses does not get to put his feet up and rest in victory. Doesn't seem fair.

God may have been doing Moses a favor.  The kind of guy Moses was, it is unlikely he would be well-suited for retirement.  How many times do people, vibrant and vigorous all of their lives, retire and quickly waste away?  The journey gave Moses purpose.  It was time for him to begin a different adventure.

Also, there were new challenges ahead for the Israelites, challenges that required a change in leadership.  Moses's mission was the quest, not the conquest, and that is another reason God kept Moses from entering Canaan.  The people needed a shepherd to guide them to the Land.  That was Moses.  Now they need a warrior to take the Land.  At 120 years old, even with all his vigor, it's not Moses.  Coach Joe Gibbs, who guided the Washington Redskins to three Super Bowl titles, said one of his most difficult, but most important tasks was telling star players who were now past their prime that it was time to leave the game.

A younger Joshua would take the Land.  Moses needed to leave the game, pass the torch, so all eyes would look to Joshua.  

Daily Thought

Wonderful God, Savior, King, thank You for Your grace. Thank You for salvation. Thank You for life everlasting, joy overflowing, grace overwhelming, peace beyond understanding.

You came to seek and to save the lost. I was lost. You showed me Your love and there was no resisting it. I have been set free to serve the Almighty God. What a wonderful life.

Amen

Deuteronomy 30-31

Daily Reading

Deuteronomy 30-31
 

Daily Thought

When words are repeated, they are often significant.  In Deuteronomy 30, "heart" (vv 2, 6, 10, 14, 17), "soul" (vv 2, 6, 10), "command" or "commandment" (vv 2, 8, 10, 11, 16), "turn" or "return" (vv 2, 10, 17), and "life" (vv 15, 19, 20).  The message is clear: When God's people turn from their sins and return with all their heart and soul to God, obeying his commandments, they will enjoy life as only God can give.  When they don't, they won't.  The choice is theirs.

My junior high P.E, coach would watch the class playing dodgeball.  At the end of each game, he'd call out several names, and those boys would step forward.  "You boys are removed from the rest of the games," he'd inform them.  "You cheated.  Shower and get dressed for school."  

The boys would often object, "You're kicking me out of dodgeball?!"

"No, I'm not kicking you out.  You've removed yourself."  countered Coach.  "You made it clear you no longer desire to play when you broke the rules.  I'm simply granting your wish."

Daily Prayer

Lord God, Your ways are good. I have choices, and I am baffled at how often I choose something other than You. It never works out. God, thank You for Your Word. May I keep it treasured in my heart, ready in my memory on any occasion, to guide me toward righteousness.

Thank You for life, for making me alive again when I was born again by Your Son. May I listen, obey, and follow You, as Your Spirit speaks to me. May I always choose life in You.

Amen

Deuteronomy 28-29

Daily Reading

 Deuteronomy 28-29
 

Daily Thought

Davy Jones died leap year day, February 29, 2012.  When I heard the news, I did what many my age did, I listened again to my favorite songs from The Monkees, on iTunes now.  One of my favorites, Shades of Gray:

When the world and I were young, just yesterday,
Life was such a simple game a child could play.
It was easy then to tell right from wrong,
Easy then to tell weak from strong,
When a man should stand and fight, or just go along.

Things were simple and clear when we were young.  The same message is in today's reading, Deuteronomy 28.  Israel is a new nation, pre-teen.  The first fourteen verses list the blessings "if you faithfully obey the voice of the Lord your God."  The next fifty-four, the curses "if you will not obey the voice of the Lord your God."

When we get older, we begin asking "what if" and "why not." 

But today there is no day or night, today there is no dark or light,

Today there is no black or white, only shades of gray.

We begin to color gray, but to God, it is still black and white because he is forever young.   "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats (Matthew 25:31-32).  How will we know which color we are, whether we are black or white, a sheep or a goat, cursed or blessed?

"Come, you who are blessed by my Father, I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.  As you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.  Depart from me, you cursed, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me." ~Matthew 25:31-40

I remember when the answers seemed so clear.
We had never lived with doubt or tasted fear.
It was easy then to tell truth from lies, selling out or compromise,
Who to love and who to hate, the foolish from the wise.

This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God. ~John 3:19-21

Daily Prayer

God, thank You for life itself, and for this instruction book, Your Word, which shows me how to live. Thank You, as well, that I may pray to You for wisdom and You promise to give it to me. Help me never to doubt You. I am so glad Your Holy Spirit lives in me and guides me toward Your truth. I live in a world upside down, and I need You to show me what is what.

Father, I know as I trust You more I will trust You more. I know that seems funny, but the more often I have faith, the stronger my faith gets, and the more willing I will be to walk in faith the next time. Strengthen me, God, as I train my mind by putting Your Word into practice.  

Amen