Judges 3-5, Own Way

 “The Israelites again did what was evil in the Lord’s sight. He gave King Eglon of Moab  power over Israel, because they had done what was evil in the Lord’s sight.”

‭‭Judges‬ ‭3‬:‭12‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Read Context

This whole book is so disappointing because it is decade after decade of Israel following their own logic, being overthrown by their neighbors, the. Turning to God for help and freedom…on repeat.

Lord, help me follow You, where ever You lead.  Help me to recognize when I am following my own logic and ignore You.  Empower me to surrender in every decision to Your way!

Judges 1-2, Fast Falling

 “The Israelites did what was evil in the Lord’s sight.  They worshiped the Baals  and abandoned the Lord, the God of their ancestors, who had brought them out of Egypt. They followed other gods from the surrounding peoples  and bowed down to them. They angered the Lord,  

I did this to test Israel and to see whether or not they would keep the Lord’s way  by walking in it, as their ancestors had.” ”

‭‭Judges‬ ‭2‬:‭11‬-‭12‬, ‭22‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Read Context

The things the God does to help us see that we need Him and are better off when we follow Him are incredible.  It’s crazy to me how quickly this happens as I read about the Israelites, but in reality it happens even faster in my life.  Lord, keep my eyes focused on You and help me to follow You only!

Joshua 22-24, Lead Well

 “Israel worshiped the Lord throughout Joshua’s lifetime and during the lifetimes of the elders who outlived Joshua  and who had experienced all the works the Lord had done for Israel.”

‭‭Joshua‬ ‭24‬:‭31‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Read Context

Worship continued in the right direction for Joshua’s lifetime and as long as the elders he led lived…what a great reputation, what an impactful leader!  Lord, help me to live in a way that reminds people of who You are.  Help me lead in a way that points directly to You winsomely! 

Joshua 19-21, Promises Fulfilled

 “So the Lord gave Israel all the land he had sworn to give their ancestors, and they took possession of it and settled there. The Lord gave them rest on every side according to all he had sworn to their ancestors. None of their enemies were able to stand against them, for the Lord handed over all their enemies to them. None of the good promises the Lord had made to the house of Israel failed. Everything was fulfilled. ”

‭‭Joshua‬ ‭21‬:‭43‬-‭45‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Read Context

How amazing that God gives them a home, rest, victory and good things!  Is the God we serve different in character to this God, obviously not!  

Lord, thank You for keeping Your promises and delivering good things to Your people!  I think it is important that we remember that although God provided perfectly and gave them good things, all of it came through trials, battles and following God wherever He was leading. Lord, give me patience to follow You through any trial, every battle and let me see clearly where You are leading!

Joshua 16-18, Love & Justice

 “As a result, ten tracts fell to Manasseh, besides the land of Gilead and Bashan, which are beyond the Jordan,  because Manasseh’s daughters received an inheritance among his sons. The land of Gilead belonged to the rest of Manasseh’s sons.”

‭‭Joshua‬ ‭17‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Read Context

Gods care for the weak (Manasseh’s daughters, at least in that culture) has always stood out to me.  He is not shaped by culture or man’s expectations but His character always points to love.  Lord, give me eyes to see the weak and help me to work toward justice for their good!

Joshua 12-15, Without God

 “But the descendants of Judah could not drive out the Jebusites who lived in Jerusalem.  So the Jebusites still live in Jerusalem among the descendants of Judah today. ”

‭‭Joshua‬ ‭15‬:‭63‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Read Context

This is the first place we see them unable to drive out a people.  Interestingly, God is not mentioned as being part of the battle…it’s almost like this tribe was fighting their own battle, rather than depending on God.

Lord, help me to see when I take things into my own hands.  I pray it would be like a flashing neon sign so that I am not running down any path without You!

Joshua 9-11, Gods Direction

 “Then the men of Israel took some of their provisions, but did not seek the Lord’s decision. ”…

 “So Joshua took the entire land, in keeping with all that the Lord had told Moses. Joshua then gave it as an inheritance to Israel according to their tribal allotments. After this, the land had rest from war. ”

‭‭Joshua‬ ‭11‬:‭23‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Read Context

Joshua was fooled by the cunning of men because he didn’t seek ethe Lord in every decision…Yet this foolishness did not prevent God from accomplishing His plans.

Lord, help me to seek Your help in every decision.  I don’t want to run ahead of You or pursue things that do t align with Your plan…but God, I am thankful that You mercifully carry out Your plan even when I fail to follow You!

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!

Deuteronomy 17-20, Remove Completely

 “you are to bring out to your city gates that man or woman who has done this evil thing and stone them to death. ”

‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭17‬:‭5‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Read Context

God is serious about fully removing sin.  He does not allow a half hearted approach.

Lord, help me to be just as serious about removing sin and temptation from my own life.  I want to follow You in every way!

Deuteronomy 14-16, Celebrations

 “You are to hold a seven-day festival for the Lord your God in the place he chooses, because the Lord your God will bless you in all your produce and in all the work of your hands,  and you will have abundant joy.”

‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭16‬:‭15‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Read Context

I love how celebrations are important to God.  Celebrations that highlight family, food and joy.  Occasions to remember all the blessings He has given us.

Deuteronomy 11-13, Blessing vs Curse

““Look, today I set before you a blessing and a curse:  there will be a blessing, if you obey the commands of the Lord your God I am giving you today, and a curse, if you do not obey the commands of the Lord your God and you turn aside from the path I command you today by following other gods you have not known.”

‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭11‬:‭26‬-‭28‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Read Context

Gods intention behind this was to use both the blessing and curse to prove that He was indeed God and sovereign.  God’s character has not changed, so does He still operate under a similar principle with us as believers today?  Obviously, we have the Holy Spirit permanently dwelling in us to help guide us.  And we don’t loose Him if we are disobedient…

He does bless us with sweet joy, peace and contentment when we are walking closely with Him!  But that does not prevent us from suffering trials…when we are not walking closely, we tend to make less wise decisions that lead to additional suffering, despair and isolation.  We feel far from Him and we intentionally pull away from others…And we still experience trials in addition.  It seems like the same pattern.

Lord, help me to follow You closely so that I can experience the joy and peace of your presence and know You more fully.

Deuteronomy 8-10, Humility & Wisdom

 “You may say to yourself, ‘My power and my own ability have gained this wealth for me,’ but remember that the Lord your God gives you the power to gain wealth, in order to confirm his covenant he swore to your ancestors,  as it is today.”

‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭8‬:‭17‬-‭18‬ ‭CSB‬‬

“You are not going to take possession of their land because of your righteousness or your integrity. Instead, the Lord your God will drive out these nations before you because of their wickedness, in order to fulfill the promise he swore to your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Understand that the Lord your God is not giving you this good land  to possess because of your righteousness, for you are a stiff-necked people. ”

‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭9‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭CSB‬‬

““And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you except to fear  the Lord your God by walking in all his ways, to love him, and to worship the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul?  Keep the Lord’s commands and statutes I am giving you today, for your own good. ”

‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭10‬:‭12‬-‭13‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Read Context

Humility and wisdom.  Trust in God rather than your own ability because He is the one who enables our work and prepares our path.

Deuteronomy 5-7, Salvation’s Pathway

 ““If you say to yourself, ‘These nations are greater than I; how can I drive them out? ’ do not be afraid of them. Be sure to remember what the Lord your God did to Pharaoh and all Egypt:”

‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭7‬:‭17‬-‭18‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Read Context

So much of the story of Israel maps onto our own salvation.  Chosen by God because of nothing they had done, slowly fighting against the sins/idols that could entrap them, God defeating even the undefeatable, providing for all their needs…if they surrender and obey.

Oftentimes my sin seems greater than I have the ability to fight…Lord, remind me that You are fighting for me!  That I am not facing these on my own, but rather You have already fought them and won!  That You are fighting them by Your strength and they ARE more powerful than me, but NOT more powerful than YOU!  Allow me to rest in the knowledge that You will win…I just need to surrender to Your will.

Deuteronomy 3-4, Forgetful

“Only be on your guard and diligently watch yourselves,  so that you don’t forget the things your eyes have seen and so that they don’t slip from your mind as long as you live. Teach them to your children and your grandchildren.  

He will not leave you, destroy you, or forget the covenant  with your ancestors that he swore to them by oath, because the Lord your God is a compassionate God.  

You were shown these things so that you would know that the Lord is God; there is no other besides him. ”

‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭4‬:‭9‬, ‭31‬, ‭35‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Read Context

Why do I need these same reminders about who God is?  It seems like these things would be so inspiring and memorable, but the small (in comparison) trials that I deal with are occasionally inflated to take up my entire view…enough to push these truths from my mind.  

That must be why God decided we needed this second reminder of the law and His works!  Lord, help me to know You and remember Your character especially when I am facing trials!

Deuteronomy 1-2, Confident Surrender

 “The Lord your God who goes before you will fight for you,  just as you saw him do for you in Egypt. And you saw in the wilderness how the Lord your God carried you as a man carries his son all along the way you traveled until you reached this place. But in spite of this you did not trust the Lord your God,”

‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭1‬:‭30‬-‭32‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Read Context

God, You show Yourself to be faithful over and over in scripture and in a thousand ways in my life experience!  You always demonstrate Your faithful love and patience…yet stupidly, so many times I am fearful that the situation I face this time will be the will be the outlier!?!  This will be the time You leave me alone to figure it out…how foolish!

Lord, strengthen my faith in You.  Help my confidence be solely in You regardless of the circumstances, especially if it looks like I can handle it.  Let me surrender everything to Your will!!!

Numbers 35-36, Uncommon Rights

 “Any daughter who possesses an inheritance from an Israelite tribe must marry someone from the clan of her ancestral tribe, so that each of the Israelites will possess the inheritance of his fathers.”

‭‭Numbers‬ ‭36‬:‭8‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Teaf Context

These women are given rights in a patriarchal society which would have been unheard of. God is changing the way that His people thought and cared for the underprivileged or downtrodden.  God continues to do the same today, by asking His people to care for the poor, the immigrant and the unloved.

God, help me to have compassion like You do!  Allow me to think differently than what my culture would encourage as long as it is in line with Your heart!

Numbers 33-34, Distraction Destruction

 “But if you don’t drive out the inhabitants of the land before you, those you allow to remain will become barbs for your eyes and thorns for your sides; they will harass you in the land where you will live.”

‭‭Numbers‬ ‭33‬:‭55‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Read Context

The result of failure to follow Gods instructions were detrimental to Israel. Not obeying God will guarantee suffering and continual pain.  Gods people were called to destroy anything that could cause idolatry, pull their attention away from God or even make them stumble.  Total destruction, not hiding, minimizing or ignoring those things.  I believe this is a pattern that we should imitate as followers of Christ!

Lord, help me to correctly identify what things may cause me to stumble, distract me or draw me into sin.  Once identified, give me strength to surrender them to You, remove them from my life and follow You!  Give me joy in obeying Your direction and commands, so that peace pervades my whole life!!!

Numbers 31-32, Devine Protections

 “They waged war against Midian, as the Lord had commanded Moses, and killed every male…

The officers who were over the thousands of the army, the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, approached Moses and told him, “Your servants have taken a census of the fighting men under our command, and not one of us is missing.”

‭‭Numbers‬ ‭31‬:‭7, 48‬-‭49‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Read Context

The Mideanites had previously let the Israelites into sin including idolatry and sexual sin, causing a plague that killed 24,000 Israelites.  This war was Devine justice and demonstrates the importance God places on holiness and His passion for protecting His people.

Incredibly, during this war, Israel suffers ZERO casualties while completely wiping out the other nation.  This is Devine power on display.  What a great God we serve!

Lord, help me to have my eyes opened when my actions are leading toward sin.  Give me the same passion for holiness and righteousness that You have so that everything I do and say points to You!

Numbers 28-30, Sacred Feasting

“You are to hold a sacred assembly on the tenth day of this seventh month and practice self-denial;  do not do any work. Present a burnt offering to the Lord, a pleasing aroma: one young bull, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old. All your animals are to be unblemished.”

‭‭Numbers‬ ‭29‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Tead Context

I love how much celebration the Lord commands the Israelites to participate in.  Days of rest, days of feasting, days or remembering, days of joy!  All days they were prohibited from working, and reminded instead of Gods love for them, and the reality of their sin.  Lord, help me to know how to build more of this into my life!!!

Numbers 26-27, Promises Kept

 “But among them there was not one of those who had been registered by Moses and the priest Aaron when they registered the Israelites in the Wilderness of Sinai.  For the Lord had said to them that they would all die in the wilderness. None of them was left except Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun.”

‭‭Numbers‬ ‭26‬:‭64‬-‭65‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Read Context

God keeps his promises and interestingly after these 40 years in the desert, their numbers have not changed much.  I wonder if He did that intentionally to demonstrate that they had the same strength both times they approached the promised land.  The first time they doubted God, the second time they trusted Him!

Numbers 23-25, Blindly Misaligned

 “So Israel aligned itself with Baal of Peor, and the Lord’s anger burned against Israel. ”

‭‭Numbers‬ ‭25‬:‭3‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Read Context

What am I blindly aligning myself with that is opposed to Christ?  Lord, remove any blindness that I have to see where my very actions or thoughts take me farther from You.  Help me to know You more!

Numbers 21-22, Infinitely Better

 “The people then came to Moses and said, “We have sinned by speaking against the Lord and against you. Intercede with the Lord so that he will take the snakes away from us.” And Moses interceded for the people. Then the Lord said to Moses, “Make a snake image and mount it on a pole. When anyone who is bitten looks at it, he will recover.” ”

‭‭Numbers‬ ‭21‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Read Context

The snake on a pole is clearly an image of Jesus on the cross.  Anyone who has faith to believe and follows through with looking to the snake is healed.  Poking toward the image of the very thing that cursed them … 

We are required to look at our curse too,  Jesus took on the curse of our sin on the cross, and our salvation is from believing Him and confronting the penalty that we deserve…

Lord, I need more faith to trust You, because so many times my temptations seem better than chasing You!  What a lie!!! Help me to see through it and know the truth that You are infinitely better!!!

Numbers 18-20, Usurping Glory

 “Then Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly to the doorway of the tent of meeting. They fell facedown, and the glory of the Lord appeared to them. The Lord spoke to Moses, “Take the staff  and assemble the community. You and your brother Aaron are to speak to the rock  while they watch, and it will yield its water. You will bring out water for them from the rock and provide drink for the community and their livestock.” So Moses took the staff from the Lord’s presence  just as he had commanded him. Moses and Aaron summoned the assembly in front of the rock, and Moses said to them, “Listen, you rebels! Must we bring water out of this rock for you? ” Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with his staff, so that abundant water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank. ”

‭‭Numbers‬ ‭20‬:‭6‬-‭11‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Read Context

Simply adding to Gods command and implying that he was part of the solution Moses and Aaron lost their ability to enter the promised land.  God requires obedience and is not interested in sharing His glory.

Lord, help me to follow You precisely and consistently.  Give me understanding and a heart to see Your leading.  Grant me wisdom to know You and to stay surrendered tonight You at every turn!

Numbers 16-17, Long Suffering

 “The next day the entire Israelite community complained about Moses and Aaron,  saying, “You have killed the Lord’s people! ””

‭‭Numbers‬ ‭16‬:‭41‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Read Context

I wonder how long it had been since Aarons son had been killed when offering unauthorized fire to the Lord, before this episode where 250 people did something similar.  And shockingly, right after God destroys them and their families, the next day the rest of the people are blaming Aaron and Moses.  God is required to have massive patience with them…and me…

Lord, thank you for being long suffering because we need it.  Help us to have better memories and more trust that You are at work in every area of life.

Number 14-15, Psalm 90, Rest & Worship

 “While the Israelites were in the wilderness, they found a man gathering wood on the Sabbath day.  Then the Lord told Moses, “The man is to be put to death. The entire community is to stone him outside the camp.” ”

‭‭Numbers‬ ‭15‬:‭32‬, ‭35‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Read Context

God was serious about the Sabbath…I find it interesting that the Israelites were told over and over that they were need to deny themselves to follow the Sabbath.  Why is it so hard to rest and worship?