Joshua 16
Joshua 16: 9
“The separate cities for the children Ephraim were among the inheritance of the children of Manasseh all the cities with their villages.”
In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word for inheritance is nachalah, meaning; to occupy, take permanent possession; a portion of a state of blessing. There are more than 200 terms for inheritance found throughout the Old Testament. The focus of the concept of inheritance was God's promise to Abraham. In Chapter 16, we see the boundaries of the land and cities given as the inheritance to Joseph's son, Ephraim. There were famous places within the territory of Ephraim. Shiloh was the location of the first tabernacle. Tirzah was the city of Jeroboam, and the palm tree where Deborah sat and presided as a judge was in Ephraim's territory. Jacob's well was also in this territory, and it was where Jesus spoke to the woman in Samaria. The city of Ramah is the city of Arimathea in the New Testament. Joseph of Arimathea took care of Jesus's burial.
So how is inheritance applicable to Christ-followers today? We find the word inherit used interchangeably in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. We are also heirs of God's promise to Abraham, which includes "the world." Through our faith in Jesus Christ, we are children of God, heirs of the gift of eternal life. Jesus tells us the meek will inherit the earth. Jesus promises us peace that passes all understanding. Jesus promises us joy. Jesus promises never to leave us or forsake us. Jesus promises us strength. Jesus tells us to ask him for wisdom. Jesus promises to supply all our needs. Jesus promises us the power of the Holy Spirit. Are we living our daily lives as heirs, as children of the Most High God? Take some time to reflect on your inheritance and how you have seen evidence of it in your life.
Now think of someone you know who does not have this inheritance.
"I will strive to: GO and boldly share the Gospel!"
Prayer: Heavenly Father, what an inheritance we have! It is hard to grasp the meaning of eternity in our finite minds. We are standing on each of your promises. You never fail us. You have proved to us time and-time again you will supply all our needs, and you make a way when we can see no way, no answer to what we are facing. Holy Spirit give us a heightened sense of awareness to recognize your promises as they are fulfilled in our lives, and the boldness to share these promises to others. We ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.
In the Old Testament the Hebrew word for inheritance is nachalah meaning; to occupy, to take permanent possession; a portion of a state of blessing. There are more than 200 terms for inheritance found throughout the Old Testament. The focus of the concept of inheritance was God’s promise to Abraham. In Chapter 16, we find the boundaries of the land and cities given as the inheritance to Joseph’s son, Ephraim. There were famous places within the territory of Ephraim. Shiloh was the location where the first tabernacle was set up. Tirzah was the city of Jeroboam and the palm tree where Deborah sat and presided as a judge was in Ephraim’s territory. Jacob’s well was also in this territory and it was where Jesus spoke to the woman in Samaria. The city of Ramah is the city of Arimathea in the New Testament. Joseph of Arimathea took care of Jesus’s burial.
So how is inheritance applicable to Christ followers today? The word inherit is used interchangeably in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. We are also heirs of God’s promise to Abraham which is now expanded to “the world.” Through our faith in Jesus Christ, we children of God, heirs of the gift of eternal life. Jesus tells us the meek will inherit the earth. Jesus promises us peace that passes all understanding. Jesus promises us joy. Jesus promises to never leave us or forsake us. Jesus promises us strength. Jesus tells us to ask him for wisdom. Jesus promises to supply all our needs. Jesus promises us the power of the Holy Spirit. Are we living our daily lives as heirs, as children of the Most High God? Take some time to reflect on your inheritance and how you have seen evidence of it in your life.
Now think of someone you know who does not have this inheritance.
“I will strive to: GO and boldly share the Gospel!”
Joshua 15
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Joshua 15:63, Judah could not dislodge the Jebusites, who were living in Jerusalem; to this day the Jebusites live there with the people of Judah.
The inheritance of the tribe of Judah, including its boundaries and cities, are described in painstaking detail in Joshua 15. There is also a brief narrative in the middle of the chapter about Caleb’s second inheritance. I’m not going to go over it much here but it’s an interesting read. Caleb offers his daughter in marriage to the person who defeats the people of Kiriath Sephur. After a brief interaction with his daughter, in which she asks for springs of water to go along with their land, the listing of details continues.
Our focus verse for today is the final verse of the chapter. It states that the tribe of Judah was unable to defeat the Jubusites, a group of people who lived in Jerusalem. This just leaves one to wonder. In all other battles, God clearly stood on the side of the Israelites, ensuring they had total and complete victory. What was different here? For some reason, the tribe of Judah settled. They seemed resigned to the idea that the Jebusites would remain part of the landscape. Of course, we know that allowing the pagan people to remain in the land could prove dangerous. The Israelites were easily tempted to fall into a pattern of idolatry.
By the time of King David (roughly 1000 BC), the Jebusites are defeated and that all of Jerusalem belongs to Israel. I guess we will soon find out how having pagans living in their midst affects the faith of the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
Let’s pray…Lord, Help us stay strong in our faith. Just like the Israelites, we are tempted by so many things in our world that get in the way of our relationship with you. Help us have laser focus on the things of Jesus. We love you! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Joshua 14
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Joshua 14:6-9, Now the people of Judah approached Joshua at Gilgal, and Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him, “You know what the Lord said to Moses the man of God at Kadesh Barnea about you and me. I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadesh Barnea to explore the land. And I brought him back a report according to my convictions, but my fellow Israelites who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt in fear. I, however, followed the Lord my God wholeheartedly. So on that day Moses swore to me, ‘The land on which your feet have walked will be your inheritance and that of your children forever, because you have followed the Lord my God wholeheartedly.’
Caleb was from the tribe of Judah and he had been one of the twelve spies sent into Canaan from the wilderness under Moses. Remember the story from Numbers 14? Only Caleb and Joshua gave a favorable report after the reconnisance mission. The others were too scared, not trusting in God to provide a way for them to take the land. Thus, Caleb and Joshua, now much older men, were the only ones from that generation to enter the promised land.
Caleb asked Joshua for his inheritance which was promised to him by both God and Moses, specifically the hill country of Judah. This would require him purging the area of the remaining Anakites. Caleb insists that even though he is eighty-five, he is still filled with vigor and strength, and is ready for battle. As he was forty-five years earlier, Caleb is faithful and trusting totally and wholeheartedly in God. He has no doubt that God is on his side and he will be victorious in his upcoming battles.
Caleb gives us a beautiful example of a life of faith. He never wavered from believing in God's power and provision, even when those around him did. As he grew older, his faith simply grew stronger. Think about people in your own life. Who do you know that has lived a similarly faithful life? What about their life is faithful? How are they similar to or different from Caleb?
Let's pray...Lord Jesus, we thank you for those people in our lives who give us the example of faithfulness. Help us also grow in our faith, standing firm, confident in our God. Where we are weak, Lord, make us strong. In Your Name, Amen.
Joshua 13
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Joshua 13:14, 32-33, But to the tribe of Levi he gave no inheritance, since the food offerings presented to the Lord, the God of Israel, are their inheritance, as he promised them…This is the inheritance Moses had given when he was in the plains of Moab across the Jordan east of Jericho. But to the tribe of Levi, Moses had given no inheritance; the Lord, the God of Israel, is their inheritance, as he promised them.
In Joshua’s later years, God appeared to him again and told him how to distribute the remainder of the land among the tribes. This was land that was theirs, given to them by God, but they had not yet conquered it and taken possession of it. But there was one tribe to which no land was given, that is the tribe of Levi.
For the Levites, their inheritance was God himself. They were the priestly tribe, set apart from the others. They were to oversee the worship of the whole nation of Israel, to carry out the sacrifices, and oversee the tabernacle and its duties. Think about it, they are the ones who carry the ark and the presence and holiness of God was with them. They were provided for through their service, through the tithes of the people.
Interestingly, while they were not given land, they were given specific cities in which to live, forty-eight of them scattered throughout the nation. When the Levites were not ministering in the tabernacle, they were to go and live in these places, again surviving on the tithes provided by the people. While there, the Levites were to be a blessing to the people, teaching them and representing the presence of God in their midst.
Let's pray...Thank you, God, for reminders of your presence in our lives. We see you at work in so many things. Help us pay attention to all the ways you show up in our lives and point that out to those around us. In Your Name, Amen.
Joshua 12
New Hope Daily SOAP: Joshua 12
Pastor Vicki Harrison
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Joshua 12:7-8, 24, Here is a list of the kings of the land that Joshua and the Israelites conquered on the west side of the Jordan, from Baal Gad in the Valley of Lebanon to Mount Halak, which rises toward Seir. Joshua gave their lands as an inheritance to the tribes of Israel according to their tribal divisions. The lands included the hill country, the western foothills, the Arabah, the mountain slopes, the wilderness and the Negev. These were the lands of the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. These were the kings…thirty-one kings in all.
The battles are done and the land belongs to the Israelites, not because of their own power and excellent fighting skills, but because the battles belonged to the Lord. He assured their victory. Now, in this chapter, we see a specific list of the kings who were defeated on both the east and west side of the Jordan. Our focus verses include the list of those conquered on the west side alone, thirty-one in all!
Why the need to list them out? Sometimes, it’s important to sit back and reflect on the specific things God has done for us. Each of those names represents a battle the Lord won for his people. How easy it might be for the Israelites to forget and think they had something to do with it, that is was their clever war planning, strength, or skills, rather than God and God alone.
When is the last time you sat down and wrote a list of the things that God has done for you? Take a moment today and make a written list of the ways God has blessed you, provided for you, protected you, or guided you. Take note of the many times that God took care of you, took care of the battle so to speak, and it really had nothing to do with your abilities at all. It was simply a gift of grace. Remember and reflect.
Let’s pray…God, You are good. We give you thanks, for your love, mercies, and blessings, are nothing short of amazing. Forgive us for the times we allow pride to think we had anything to do with it. More of you, Jesus, and less of me. In Your Name, Amen.
Joshua 11
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Joshua 11:23, So Joshua took the entire land, just as the Lord had directed Moses, and he gave it as an inheritance to Israel according to their tribal divisions. Then the land had rest from war.
And with just one verse, this ends the encounter of the Israelites with the Canaanite peoples. In fact, this one verse sums up everything that has been going on with the previous few chapters. Under the leadership of Joshua, the people of God took the whole land that was promised to them. Finally, the land had rest from war.
Let's talk for a minute about rest. Here, it states that the land had rest from war. This means the people also had rest from war and that rest was a gift from God. In Hebrews 4:8-11, the author mentions Joshua and this rest. It reads, For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.
There is physical rest and certainly we all need that. Physical fatigue feels terrible but it also can have terrible health consequences. God designed our bodies to sleep. But there is also spiritual rest. Spiritual rest refers to God-given Sabbath rest. One works and then one rests. This is also essential! Many of us struggle with this but God did not design us to work nonstop. He even modeled this Sabbath rest in creation. This seems to be the kind of rest that our focus verses in Joshua are referring to - the land and the people received a Sabbath-type rest from war.
But there is still one more kind of rest to which the author of Hebrews is alluding. This is salvation rest. The people of God during the time of Joshua did not have this rest. This means that we can rest from constantly trying to find favor in the eyes of God. Our salvation is assured because of faith. Constant works, trying to be good enough for God, is not necessary. We can rest in God's acceptance of us. What freedom!
Let's pray...Lord Jesus, We are so thankful for physical and spiritual rest! In all we do, help us remember that our salvation is by grace through faith alone. We don't need to work for it. It's a gift from you and we can rest in the gift of your grace. Help us truly rest. In Your Name, Amen.
Joshua 10
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Joshua 10:12-14, On the day the Lord gave the Amorites over to Israel, Joshua said to the Lord in the presence of Israel:
“Sun, stand still over Gibeon, and you, moon, over the Valley of Aijalon.”
So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, till the nation avenged itself on its enemies,
as it is written in the Book of Jashar. The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day. There has never been a day like it before or since, a day when the Lord listened to a human being. Surely the Lord was fighting for Israel!
The battle continues. The kings of that region have banded together to fight against the Israelites but this is no real match. The one true God stood firmly on the side of the Israelites and that will make all the difference.
Today's focus verses have to do with the Israelites' battle against the Amorites. The Amorites were the people of what is now central and northern Syria. Their language was similar to the Hebrews but that's where the similarity ends. They were a powerful people, had big fortified cities, but they were pagan, worshiping many different gods.
On the day of battle, Joshua wants to finish the fighting in a single day. He asks the Lord to make the sun stand still and continue providing enough light to complete the battle in that same day. He speaks to the Lord, in front of all Israel, to make the sun stop setting. Scripture says that God allowed the sun to delay its setting for about a full day.
It was interesting in the commentaries for this passage, there is much discussion about whether or not this "sun standing still" was plausible. Could this actually occur or maybe there is some other scientific explanation? I think that is missing the point. God is God and has the power to act supernaturally, outside the laws of science. All miracles demonstrate that. Please don't get too caught up in the scientific aspect of the narrative.
What I find most amazing is that Joshua asked God to do this and God did it. He listened to Joshua. Friends, God listens to you. God listens to individual human beings. On this side of the cross, you can go boldly before the throne of grace. You can ask largely of God. That doesn't mean that a miracle will always occur but know that a miracle is not out of the realm of possibility. But even if God doesn't do a miracle in your situation, God is actively at work in your life and he listens to your voice.
How have you seen God at work in your life this week?
Let's pray...Lord Jesus, We trust you. We trust in your power. When we don't believe, help our unbelief. More of you, Jesus, and less of me. In Your Name, Amen.
Joshua 9
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Joshua 9:20-25, This is what we will do to them: We will let them live, so that God’s wrath will not fall on us for breaking the oath we swore to them.” They continued, “Let them live, but let them be woodcutters and water carriers in the service of the whole assembly.” So the leaders’ promise to them was kept. Then Joshua summoned the Gibeonites and said, “Why did you deceive us by saying, ‘We live a long way from you,’ while actually you live near us? You are now under a curse: You will never be released from service as woodcutters and water carriers for the house of my God.”
They answered Joshua, “Your servants were clearly told how the Lord your God had commanded his servant Moses to give you the whole land and to wipe out all its inhabitants from before you. So we feared for our lives because of you, and that is why we did this. We are now in your hands. Do to us whatever seems good and right to you.”
The reputation of the Israelites is getting around. People are scared because they know that eventually the people of God are coming for them. Some nations are joining forces, others are using deception. The Gibeonites decided to try a ruse, pretending they were a people group from far away, seeking a treaty with the much-feared Israelites. Without consulting God first, Joshua and the Israelites agreed to an oath with the people of Gibeon. It didn't take long for them to discover that sure enough, they were a neighboring country (remember, the Israelites were required by God to kill all those in areas close by). Now, they are in a pickle. Again, without consulting God, they decide that because the oath has been made, they will allow the Gibeonites to live but they will be a servant class, specifically water carriers and wood cutters for the Israelites.
By this point, Joshua and the Israelites have seen God do amazing things. People fear them, not because of them, but because of the God they serve. All they have, all they've done, is because of God's power and provision. And then, it's like they get amnesia. These people come to them, wanting to make a treaty, which is a pretty big deal, and they don't even consult with God! They just do what they think is right and they end up getting duped.
How often do we do the same thing? We know that all we have is because of God. We've seen his hand at work in our lives over and over again. And then a big decision comes up and we get spiritual amnesia. We don't pray about it. We just do what we think is right.
Let's pray...Lord, Forgive us for our spiritual amnesia at times. Help us seek you and your will before anything else. We need you, Lord. Being self-reliant isn't all it's cracked up to be. More of you, Jesus, and less of me. Guide me, direct me, lead me. In Your Name, Amen.
Joshua 8
New Hope Daily SOAP: Joshua 8
Pastor Vicki Harrison
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Joshua 8:30-33, Then Joshua built on Mount Ebal an altar to the Lord, the God of Israel, as Moses the servant of the Lord had commanded the Israelites. He built it according to what is written in the Book of the Law of Moses—an altar of uncut stones, on which no iron tool had been used. On it they offered to the Lord burnt offerings and sacrificed fellowship offerings. There, in the presence of the Israelites, Joshua wrote on stones a copy of the law of Moses. All the Israelites, with their elders, officials and judges, were standing on both sides of the ark of the covenant of the Lord, facing the Levitical priests who carried it. Both the foreigners living among them and the native-born were there. Half of the people stood in front of Mount Gerizim and half of them in front of Mount Ebal, as Moses the servant of the Lord had formerly commanded when he gave instructions to bless the people of Israel.
Earlier in the chapter, the Israelites thoroughly demolished the town and people of Ai. Be sure to read through the chapter to learn the specifics of the battle. Next, Joshua took a brief break from battle. He leads the people from their camp at Gilgal northward, until they reach the mountains around Shechem. Joshua then builds an altar of uncut stones on Mount Ebal and on it, offers sacrifices to the Lord. He takes large stones and writes down the Law of Moses on them. We don't know how much of the Law was written; certainly, it included the ten commandments but there could have been more. Then, he reads the Law aloud to the people.
Joshua is declaring here that the Law of God will be the Law of the land. While the law had been taught to the people earlier before they entered the promised land, it is really important to review (remember, repetition is critical to learning). From this point forward, the people need to understand that obeying the law will bring blessing and disobeying the law will bring curses.
Let's pray...Dear Jesus, How thankful we are that we live on this side of the cross. How amazingly grateful we are for your sacrifice and that our sins have been taken care of. But we know that doesn't absolve us from following your Word. Help us to fall in love with your Word, learn it and live it, so that your name will be glorified and others will come to know the greatness of our God. In Your Name, Amen.
Joshua 7
New Hope Daily SOAP: Joshua 7
Pastor Vicki Harrison
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Joshua 7:20-25, Achan replied, “It is true! I have sinned against the Lord, the God of Israel. This is what I have done: When I saw in the plunder a beautiful robe from Babylonia, two hundred shekels of silver and a bar of gold weighing fifty shekels, I coveted them and took them. They are hidden in the ground inside my tent, with the silver underneath.”
So Joshua sent messengers, and they ran to the tent, and there it was, hidden in his tent, with the silver underneath. They took the things from the tent, brought them to Joshua and all the Israelites and spread them out before the Lord.
Then Joshua, together with all Israel, took Achan son of Zerah, the silver, the robe, the gold bar, his sons and daughters, his cattle, donkeys and sheep, his tent and all that he had, to the Valley of Achor. Joshua said, “Why have you brought this trouble on us? The Lord will bring trouble on you today.”
The Israelites were doing so well. And then...Achan decides to steal some of the devoted things. The devoted things included gold, silver, and a beautiful Babylonian garment. All the plundered goods were to be dedicated to the Lord. Instead, Achan decides to keep some for himself and hide it. As a result, God becomes angry with the Israelites and allows them to experience defeat in battle. Joshua is extremely distressed and goes before God in humility and submission. He has no idea what's changed. Why the defeat and loss of life?
God tells Joshua about the sin. God has Joshua devise a purging process to find the guilty party. He splits the Isrelites into tribes, then clans, then families, and then individuals to find the offender. It turns out that Achan from the tribe of Judah is the one who has stolen the devoted things. He admits the sin but doesn't express any kind of remorse. Because Achan's sin brought trouble on the whole Israelite community, for he deliberately disobeyed God resulting in the loss of thirty-six Israeli lives in battle, he is killed, as is his family.
The pattern of Achan's sin was this: he saw, he coveted, he took. We see this pattern throughout Scripture, with Eve in the garden and with David and Bathsheba. Maybe Achan tried to convince himself it would be okay. No one would miss those items. Plus, they were so beautiful. How could he help himself? But God demonstrates to Israel, as he does over and over again, that sin can't be rationalized.
Let's pray...God, Forgive us for our sin. Change our hearts. More of you, Jesus, and less of me. In Your Name, Amen.
Joshua 6
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Joshua 6:2-5, Then the Lord said to Joshua, “See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men. March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days. Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams’ horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets. When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have the whole army give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the army will go up, everyone straight in.”
The battle plan that God gave Joshua for taking Jericho was unusual. No battering rams or ladders were needed for the walls. The Israelites were to simply march around the city walls for six days. On the seventh day, they would march again, this time with priests blowing trumpets. The wall would simply collapse and they could take the city. Sure enough, that's exactly what occurred and the Israeli army set fire to the city. The only ones who were spared were Rahab and her family, for she kept the spies safe on their reconnaissance mission.
As I read this today, I was reminded how God sometimes asks us to do things that don't immediately make sense to us. And then because they don't make sense to us, we have a tendency to talk ourselves out of them. Why would God ask me to go talk to that person? I must have misunderstood. Why would God want me to participate in that ministry? That isn't in my giftedness. I'm sure I got it wrong. Sound familiar? But God sees a much bigger picture. He calls us to be obedient and simply do it. It doesn't have to make sense. Did marching around the walls of Jericho make sense? No, using weapons of war would have made sense. But God's plan was different and more effective. It's no difference in our own lives and churches.
Let's pray...Almighty God, Help us be obedient even when things don't make sense to us. Don't give up on us! Keep giving us opportunities to live into our purpose for your Kingdom. In Your Name, Amen.
Joshua 5
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Joshua 5:13-15, Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, “Are you for us or for our enemies?”
“Neither,” he replied, “but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.” Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, “What message does my Lord[e] have for his servant?” The commander of the Lord’s army replied, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.
In this chapter, we see God bringing the Israelites through three significant rites: circumcision, the Passover, and eating the produce of Canaan. These were rites for the nation at large. The experience that happens next is for Joshua alone.
Joshua suspected that the next course of action for the Israelites was to conquer the city of Jericho but he hadn't received any word about it yet from the Lord. He went out to take a look at the land, he could see the size of the city and the massive walls. Jericho was highly fortified and while Joshua had military experience, this was going to be very different. We can guess he was contemplating the challenge. Then, he sees this figure in front of him, a man with a drawn sword. When Joshua confronts him, he suddenly understands that he is in the presence of God. This was the angel of the Lord, pre-incarnate Jesus Christ himself. Joshua falls on his face in reverence and worship and the commander of the Lord's army declares that space holy ground.
This was a transformative moment for Joshua. He is walking around thinking about city walls and how in the world they would conquer Jericho and then he encounters God. Remember, an encounter with Jesus is always life changing! It's in this moment that Joshua realizes that this battle won't be about tactics and army strength. This battle is the Lord's. What a burden that must have removed from Joshua's shoulders. He was merely a servant of God and God would take the lead.
Let's pray...God, Please take the lead in our lives. So often, we want to do it all ourselves. We don't take the time to see your hand at work. We get overwhelmed by tactics and tasks rather than obedience and submission. God, we need you. Lead us, direct us, guide us. More of you, Jesus, and less of me. In Your Name, Amen.
Joshua 4
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Joshua 4:1-3, When the whole nation had finished crossing the Jordan, the Lord said to Joshua, “Choose twelve men from among the people, one from each tribe, and tell them to take up twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan, from right where the priests are standing, and carry them over with you and put them down at the place where you stay tonight.”
The stones that were chosen by the twelve men were used to create a monument to remember the miracle God had done for his people on that day, how he had stopped the flow of the Jordan River so his people could cross over and take the land God had in store for them. For generations to come, the Israelites could come to this place, see the stones, and simply be reminded of the God they serve - a God of power, a God of protection, a God who can stop the flow of a river, and a God who had a plan for his people.
How important it is to remember what God has done. We get so absorbed in the daily tasks of life, the crises of the moment, that we forget. Let's be real. We tend to be forgetful people. We forget the way God got us through that difficult situation or allowed us to figure out a way out of that other really hard situation. For that reason, we must make a point of remembering. We need visual cues, monuments, or other ways to be reminded of God's faithfulness. God did help us find a way to deal with this mess or comforted us in the middle of this struggle. Take time today to remember moments in your life when you experienced God's mighty power, protection, or provision. Is there something you can put in a noticeable place in your home to remind you of God's actions?
Let's pray...Lord, Forgive us for being forgetful. Help us remember who you are and what you've done for us over and over again. Thank you. We love you. Amen.
Joshua 3
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Joshua 3:15-17, Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest. Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, the water from upstream stopped flowing. It piled up in a heap a great distance away, at a town called Adam in the vicinity of Zarethan, while the water flowing down to the Sea of the Arabah (that is, the Dead Sea) was completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho. The priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord stopped in the middle of the Jordan and stood on dry ground, while all Israel passed by until the whole nation had completed the crossing on dry ground.
Chapters 3 and 4 describe the Israelites making their way into the promised land. The ark of the covenant is prominent in this journey. Carried by the priests, the people follow the ark. The ark, which symbolizes the presence of God going with them, is what shows the people the direction they are to go. But they aren’t to get too close, for God is holy and they were to keep a respectable and safe distance.
As they enter Canaan, crossing the Jordan River is a necessity. But it’s flood season, so the river is unusually large and the flow is strong. Experts estimate the river at this stage to be about 100 feet wide and 5-10 feet deep, certainly too deep for the Hebrew army to safely cross. This is a test for the Israelites. Would they trust God or cower in fear as their parents and grandparents had not too many years ago? Our focus verses describe the miracle that happened next. They step out in faith and see the wonder and power of God! The priests carry the ark into the water and the flow of water stopped. Holding the ark of the covenant and standing on dry land, all of Israel could safely cross over.
As I read this, I can’t help thinking about God stopping the flow of the Red Sea for God’s people to cross many years earlier. But this trek would have a different outcome. This time, the people would get to enter the promised land and see how God makes good on his promise. It’s a new day and they are a new people.
I don’t know about you, but I can be impatient. When I plead for God to act, I want him to act now, not later. But God’s timing is not our timing. Take a look at the Israelites. They waited years and years and years to enter Canaan. We know their sin had something to do with their wait time, but it was also a time of God forming a new people. Sometimes, God takes time simply to form and shape you and me as well. Can you think of something that you spent years praying for? Whether or not you experienced a clear answer from God, how did God shape and form you spiritually during those years of prayer?
Let’s pray…Almighty God, We know that we are impatient and sinful. Thank you for continuing to guide us and love us anyway. Thank you for the times you have formed us and changed us. Do a new thing in us, Lord. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Joshua 2
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Joshua 2:8-11, Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof and said to them, “I know that the Lord has given you this land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. We have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea] for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed. When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.
Chapter two of Joshua describes the first stage of the Israelites conquering the land of Canaan. They send spies to Jericho to do some recognizance. Interestingly, when they enter the city, they are hidden by a woman named Rahab, who the Scripture says is a prostitute. It's possible her home served as a way station, tavern, or some kind of public gathering place. Regardless, she takes the spies in without hesitation.
In the focus verses for today, Rahab expresses that she knows Israel's God is powerful, she has heard both about God's miracles and victories. The people are fearful because they know defeat is imminent. Despite her pagan background, it's clear that Rahab believes in the one true God. She explicitly states, "...the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below." But she doesn't simply express her faith in words, her actions demonstrate her faith in pretty powerful ways. She hides the spies even when the King of Jericho demands she hand them over and she helps them escape unscathed. As a result, her family is allowed to live.
The New Testament mentions the faith of Rahab several times. Hebrews 11:31 states, By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient. James 2:25 reads, In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? It is amazing that this woman, who probably had low social status and a poor reputation among her own people, knew that she had a purpose bigger than her current circumstances and she lived into it. God offered her an opportunity to be used by him and she took it with what appeared to be no hesitation.
What we know is that because of her faith in God, life changed drastically for her. She eventually married an Israelite named Salmon and together, they had a son named Boaz. Boaz married a faithful Moabite woman named Ruth. They become the grandparents of King David. Jesus is in the line of David. So what I'm saying here is that Rahab, a prostitute who hid the spies as the Israelites were about to overtake Jericho, is in the direct line of Jesus. Because of her faith, she is grafted into the people of God and becomes a great, great...lots of greats grandmother of the Savior of the world. Let that sink in a bit. God can use everyone. God wants to use everyone to achieve his purposes. God wants to use you!
Let's pray...Dear Lord Jesus, Thank you for the life of Rahab and her faithfulness. Lord, thank you for giving us each a purpose. Help me live into mine. May I have faith like Rahab. More of you, Jesus, and less of me. In Your Name, Amen.
Joshua 1
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Joshua 1:7-9, “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Today, we begin the book of Joshua. Moses has passed away and it's Joshua's turn to lead God's people. There is no way that Joshua could fill Moses' leadership shoes but God assured Joshua that he could do this. He could be brave, strong, and confident, because he knew he wasn't alone. The presence of holy and powerful God went with him.
But there were conditions. Joshua could be successful and experience the presence of God IF he kept the law. This didn't mean simply follow the law superficially but mediate on it day and night, keeping it always on his lips. He needed to know the law and live the law. Doing so would ensure God's presence and power went with him and the people.
The focus verses for today, in verse 9, close with a second command to be strong and courageous. I find it interesting that this is mentioned again so close to the other command to be strong and courageous (verse 7). It underscores how important this was for Joshua. He had to be strong and brave because he was the mouthpiece of God, the chosen leader as the people entered the promised land. Any sign of fear or worry would certainly affect the people as they headed into battle. Joshua needed to be a beacon of hope, strength, and courage, truly embodying God's strength for them.
Do you find it hard to be strong and courageous at times? As Christians, we know that the presence of the living God is always with us. After all, the Holy Spirit resides within us. God is closer than our very breath. On this side of the cross, God's presence is not dependent on our obedience, as was the case with Joshua, but certainly we experience God's presence more deeply when we spend time in his Word and abide with him in prayer. That being said, it's easy to allow fear and worry to seep into our hearts and minds. It happens to me all the time. I can only imagine how Joshua was feeling as he prepared to go into Canaan. He knew God was with him but he had no idea what was actually going to occur. I think that's us too. We know God is with us but we have no guarantees as to what's next in our lives and that leads to fear and anxiety. It truly is a constant decision to trust and lay all the circumstances of our lives at the feat of Jesus. Over and over and over again.
Let's pray...Lord Jesus, We give you our worries, our fears, and our burdens. We lay them down right now at the foot of the cross AND we pray that you give us the strength to not pick them back up. We make a decision to trust you right now. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Ephesians 6
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Ephesians 6:10-12, Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
When we take a look at the first-century church, we see the Holy Spirit at work in amazing ways. But we also see opposition. As we've mentioned over the past few days, Ephesus was a very pagan city. One of the largest and most famous temples, the Temple of Artemis, was in Ephesus. Worship of other gods was everywhere. Forces working against God were everywhere. While the church was growing and experiencing signs and wonders, it was also experiencing resistance and opposition. Evil was present and real.
Evil is still present and real. True, it is no match for the Holy Spirit but for us mere humans, we need to be sure to stay strong in the Lord and his mighty power. If we don't, we can easily and without our knowledge, be used by the evil forces of this world. I often say that most of the time, we don't make the devil work that hard because we do such a good job making bad choices. But we must be aware that evil is out there, tempting us, and looking for our weak spots. The enemy wants us to experience defeat and discouragement, rather than the freedom and victory we can experience in Jesus. So what's the answer?
Paul tells us to put on the whole armor of God. How might we do this in practical ways? Off the top of my head, I immediately think of frequent prayer and dwelling in God's Word. By making these two things a priority in your life, you will know God better, stay connected to the Spirit that dwells within you, and you will have a growing awareness and knowledge of God's truth, wisdom, and love. But what else does Paul say in chapter 6?
· Verse 14 - Put on the belt of truth. Our belt is what holds our clothes on the body. Our integrity holds our lives together. Are you a person of integrity?
· Verse 14 - Put on the breast plate of righteousness. The breastplate would have protected vital organs on a soldier. Any crack in the breastplate would have been dangerous. Any crack in our righteousness is dangerous, as it allows impurity and evil to creep in.
· Verse 15 - Put the gospel of peace on your feet. Our foundation needs to be the peace of Jesus Christ. The enemy will try to steal our peace and if that happens, we stumble. How's your foundation holding up lately?
· Verse 16 - Hold up the shield of faith. Paul says that the shield protects us from Satan's arrows. Prayer and Scripture are two ways to stand firm in faith and protect ourselves from those fiery arrows.
· Verse 17 - Put on the helmet of salvation. A helmet protects our brain; damage to the head has horrible consequences. Because of our salvation by grace through faith in Jesus, we are new people, called to have the mind of Jesus. When we seek to have the mind of Christ, evil has a much harder time creeping into our thoughts.
· Verse 17 - Hold up the sword of the Spirit, which is God's Word. God's Word is the most powerful weapon against the evil. Think of Jesus being tempted by the devil in the wilderness - he used Scripture to fight back. Knowing and dwelling in God's Word is critical if we are to push back anything the enemy throws at us.
Let's pray...God, We stand firm in you and your Word. We pray that you keep the enemy at our feet. Help us stay grounded in prayer and Scripture so that we can be unwavering against opposition. Help us not be defeated but stay victorious in you. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.
Ephesians 5
Ephesians 5:21, Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Mutual submission; it's what marriage is all about. Of course, if you grew up in Christian circles, you know how badly the whole of Ephesians 5 has been distorted. The focus has been on wives submitting to husbands. But before Paul talks specifics, he says this: submit to one another out of reverence to Christ. Then, he talks about wives submitting and husbands loving. We should note that this discussion would have been revolutionary at the time. To say women had a low social and legal status in the Roman Empire is quite the understatement. And here is the Apostle Paul telling the Ephesians that marriage is a covenant and that there needs to be mutual submission. That means women submitting to men (which would have been the norm at the time in that culture) and also that men should submit to their wives. Husbands submitting to wives? That would have been unheard of at the time.
To make it even more earth-shattering, Paul says that husbands should love their wives in the same way that Christ loved the church. How much did Christ love the church? He died for the church! He is telling these guys to love their wives sacrificially. Wow! We read these words through our twenty-first century lenses and we make think something like, "How outdated and sexist." But the truth was anything but the sort. Paul's words elevated the status of wives in significant ways. They were to be loved and valued. There should also be unity and fidelity in the marriage relationship, which means only one wife and no affairs. Paul wants Christian men to understand that holiness within their marriage is also important. It demonstrates that those who are "in Christ" do life differently. They are new people in Jesus and the church, as the body of Christ, is drastically different than the culture at large.
We could probably stop there and that would be enough. But wait, there's more. Paul is using the marriage relationship as an analogy. The relationship of the husband and wife in marriage points to the beautiful relationship between Christ and the church. Just as there needs to be unity between husband and wife, there needs to be unity between Christ and the church. So let's be real, the universal church has messed this up a bit. Sometimes, the church demonstrates unity with Jesus and sometimes it doesn't.
I'll stop here today but I ask you to reflect on this question: Does New Hope demonstrate unity between Christ and his church? What do we do well? How do we struggle with this? And how do we do better?
Let's pray...Lord Jesus, You are Lord of the church. It's not our church; it's your church. Help us remember that and demonstrate YOU in all we do. Bless our marriages, Lord. May we truly submit to one another and love each other in sacrificial ways. We need you so much, Jesus. In Your Name, Amen.
Ephesians 4
New Hope Daily SOAP: Ephesians 4
Pastor Vicki Harrison
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Ephesians 4:11-13, So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
Paul has been discussing the new life we have in Christ and the new faith community that is created, what we call the church. The church, as the body of Christ, is an entirely new kind of community - a family of people who belong to Jesus and to one another AND love one another with the extravagant love of Christ. But this unique community has standards. Look at verses 2-4. This body of believers should be humble, gentle, patient, and bear one another in love. There should be unity among them as a demonstration of to whom they belong.
While there is unity, there is diversity in gifts and strengths. Jesus has made sure that his church has everything it needs to become mature and effective. Thus, some people are given the gifts and graces to become apostles, others prophets, still others evangelists, pastors, and teachers. Jesus obviously excelled in all of these categories but we don't. Thus, we need one another desperately to build up and strengthen the body of Christ.
Historically, the church has focused more on pastors and teachers than the apostles, prophets, and evangelists. If we look at the state of the Western church, you can see how badly this has hurt us. We are incomplete which can lead to being ineffective. We need everyone to build up the church:
· Apostles are the entrepreneurs of the church, starting new mission and ministries, leading the church into new territory. Without apostles, we get stuck in the same place, not responding to the changing needs of our world.
· Prophets often stand on the fringes of the church, as God's messengers, speaking hard words into the family of faith. We have pushed the prophets aside because we tend to not like hard words.
· Evangelists are the salespeople of the faith. They are particularly gifted at sharing the Good News of Jesus with people who don't get know him. We are ALL called to be evangelistic but certain people are truly gifted in leading new people to Christ. We need them.
· Pastors are shepherds of the flock. They nurture and protect the congregation. They are essentially the caregivers of the flock, ensuring and guarding the spiritual health of the people.
· Teachers are the communicators of the faith. They help the people remain Biblically grounded, teach the next generation about Jesus, and ensure that the church is faithful to God's Word and grows in their knowledge of Scripture and doctrine.
Think about your unique gifts. Are you an apostle, a prophet, an evangelist, a pastor, or a teacher? How can you use your gifts to build up Jesus' church?
Let's pray...Lord Jesus, Thank you for providing everything needed for our church. Help us use the gifts of all the people so that we can build up your church and make a difference for your Kingdom. In Your Name, Amen.
Ephesians 3
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Ephesians 3:16-19, I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
In today's focus verses, we find this beautiful prayer that Paul offers for the people in the Ephesian church. He starts by asking God to strengthen them by the power of the Holy Spirit. Ephesus was a very pagan city. The church there dealt with opposition on a daily basis. Paul knew they needed supernatural strength. The same could probably be said of us today. The sources of our distractions and opposition are different but still powerful.
Next, he prayed that they would be rooted in Jesus' love and understand how expansive and deep his love truly is for his people. In understanding this, it would change how they interacted with one another and with the unbelieving world. Having a solid understanding of God's extravagant love for us, we can extravagantly love others. Think about that...when we experience God's love so deeply, it's much easier to act in love toward others, even when they aren't very lovable. I've had to deal with some pretty unpleasant people this week who I didn't feel like being loving toward. But then I read this verse and God quickly reminded me - he loved me when I wasn't so lovable. Because of his deep love for me, I can respond to others with love, period.
Finally, Paul prays that as they have this full understanding of God's love, they will be filled with the fullness of God. What might it be like to be filled with the fullness of God? I'm not sure I've gotten there yet but I sure want to get there. It sounds like there could be nothing better!
Let's pray...God of Love, We give you glory and praise for the way you demonstrate your love to us. Help us be even but a small reflection of your love toward others. More of you, Jesus, and less of me. In Your Name, Amen.