Joshua 5-8, Mercy & Obedience

 “But the city and everything in it are set apart to the Lord for destruction.  Only Rahab the prostitute and everyone with her in the house will live,  because she hid the messengers we sent. …Joshua spared Rahab the prostitute, her father’s family, and all who belonged to her, because she hid the messengers Joshua had sent to spy on Jericho, and she still lives in Israel  today. ”

‭‭Joshua‬ ‭6‬:‭17‬, ‭25‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Read Context

Rajah was given mercy because she was obedient to Gods call on her, even as an outsider.  Because she listened to God and acted on His command, she was saved, with her family.  Interestingly, Achan was the perfect inverse…he was an Israelite who disobeyed God and is destroyed, he and his family.

Following Gods commands is not an optional part of following Him. Lord, strengthen me to follow You even when things seem hard!

Joshua 1-4, Strong & Courageous

 “Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courageous?  Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

‭‭Joshua‬ ‭1‬:‭9‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Read Context

It was really interesting that 4 times in chapter 1 Joshua is reminded to be strong and courageous…then immediately the people of Jericho were described in just the opposite way. I am thankful that God repeats the things that are important, because I think I often miss what He says the first time.  In this case they could be strong and courteous, not because of who they were, but because God was with them…or fearful and weak because He was not with them.

Lord, help me to know You so well that I am confident You are with me every step of the day!

Deuteronomy 32-34, Psalm 91- Love & Faithfulness

 “How happy you are, Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the Lord? He is the shield that protects you, the sword you boast in. Your enemies will cringe before you,  and you will tread on their backs. ,”

‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭33‬:‭29‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Read Context

How incredible that God cared for Israel, and now cares for us!  We have been saved and protected by God personally…Lord thank You for Your faithfulness and Love to undeserving people!!!

Deuteronomy 30-31, Blessed Obedience

 “See, today I have set before you life and prosperity, death and adversity.  For I am commanding you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commands, statutes, and ordinances, so that you may live  and multiply, and the Lord your God may bless you in the land you are entering to possess.”

‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭30‬:‭15‬-‭16‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Read Context

There is still blessing in obedience, but thankfully we are indwelled by the Spirit of God.  We have the added strength and direction of God living in us!  How impossible would obedience have been in their time?

Deuteronomy 28-29, Blessing vs Curse

“Then all the peoples of the earth will see that you bear the Lord’s name, and they will stand in awe of you. ”

‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭28‬:‭10‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Read Context

Both following the Lord or rejection the Lord bring about the same result: People will recognize that God is doing something and His name will be exalted!  But the experience of His people will be vastly different…incredible blessing versus unimaginable suffering!

That is a no-brained for me…follow God and experience blessing!  Lord, help me to lay down every decision as a living sacrifice asking the question: “what does God want me to do in this scenario, right now?”  Then do that and only that!

Deuteronomy 24-27, Obedience vs Accention

 “‘Anyone who does not put the words of this law into practice is cursed.’ And all the people will say, ‘Amen! ’”

‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭27‬:‭26‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Read Context

I like how all these laws were to be practiced.  It was not enough to mentally agree to them or even to verbally confirm the goodness of them.  The minimum standard was to practice them…in other words actually do these things.

Deuteronomy 21-23, Righteousness Received

 “No one of illegitimate birth may enter the Lord’s assembly; none of his descendants, even to the tenth generation, may enter the Lord’s assembly.”

‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭23‬:‭2‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Read Context

The law that is given through these instructions was designed to keep Israel holy.  I am so grateful that holiness no longer depends solely on me, rather on the finished work of Jesus.  That doesn’t give me reason to live in sin, but Jesus does cover even the things that I have no control over.

Lord, thank you for sending Jesus to fix the problem of sin.  Help me to pursue holiness in every thought, action or word.  I am so grateful that You made a way for me to come into Your presence!