Today’s Reading: Judges 4:11–5:31, Psalm 21

“Very well,” she replied, “I will go with you. But you will receive no honor in this venture, for the Lord’s victory over Sisera will be at the hands of a woman.” – Judges 4:9

This was Deborah’s response to Barak when he put conditions on his obedience. At first it seems as if Deborah was talking about herself, but as we read on we see that the battle was finished by a woman named Jael. Although Jael was not in leadership and there was no expectation for her to do anything but stay in the tent, God had plans to do great things through Jael. He saw worth and value in someone whom the current culture did not value.

GOD STRATEGICALLY POSITIONED THIS WOMAN TO DO GREAT THINGS.

When Sisera was told that Barak son of Abinoam had gone up to Mount Tabor, he called for all 900 of his iron chariots and all of his warriors, and they marched from Harosheth-haggoyim to the Kishon River. Then Deborah said to Barak, “Get ready! This is the day the Lord will give you victory over Sisera, for the Lord is marching ahead of you.” So Barak led his 10,000 warriors down the slopes of Mount Tabor into battle. – Judges 4:12-14

When Barak led the warriors into battle, God caused Sisera and his warriors to fall into a panic. Barak and his men chased after the fleeing army and killed all 900 warriors, but Sisera had hopped down from his chariot and escaped on foot. He ran to Heber’s tent, which had been pitched a distance from the rest of the tribe. Knowing Heber’s family was on friendly terms with King Jabin, Sisera thought he had found a safe place to hide.

Heber’s wife, Jael, invited Sisera into the tent. When he asked for water, she gave him milk. When he laid down, exhausted from his flight, she covered him with a blanket while she took watch for anyone approaching. But as soon as he fell into a deep sleep, Jael took action.

One day I was discussing with a coworker the job that God had called her to do. She had a difficult conversation ahead and she was not looking forward to it. I remember her words — It’s okay. I can do hard things. She knew that, if this is what God was calling her to do, He would equip her with the right words to say and the courage with which to do it. There have been several times when her words have come back to me as I recognized the challenge ahead of me, and I think of her again this morning as I read through the fourth chapter of Judges.

I CAN DO ALL THINGS, EVEN HARD THINGS, THROUGH CHRIST WHO GIVES ME STRENGTH.

Jael saw that God had strategically positioned her and she was up for this opportunity to let God do SUPER THINGS through her — she made the decision to do a hard thing! I believe God must have given Jael some extra strength as she picked up the tent peg and hammer, walked across the tent, and placed the end of the peg on Sisera’s temple. I believe God must have given her extra courage and superhero strength in order to drive the tent peg into his skull, killing the king and finishing the battle.

So on that day Israel saw GOD DEFEAT Jabin, the Canaanite king. And from that time on Israel became stronger and stronger against King Jabin until they finally destroyed him. – Judges 4:23-24

Once again, God had called His people into battle and He had fought their battle for them. He caused Sisera and his men to panic and flee the battlefield, and He gave Jael the courage to finish the battle. Deborah and Barak led the people of Israel in celebration of this victory. They recognized that when God marched across the battlefield, the earth trembled; when God was present, the mountains quaked.

The people of Israel were living in fear until Deborah “arose as a mother for Israel” (5:7). I love it! The description of this superhero was MOTHER! Are you surprised? Consider the emotional response that all of us have just at the sound of the word “mother” — it often evokes strong feelings of love and security. My mother was the first person I ran to when I needed someone to talk to or cry with, and her arms are where I felt the safest growing up. She is the superhero in my life who taught me how to do hard things by trusting in the God who strategically positions us for His purposes.

The song of celebration continued:
Listen to the village musicians gathered at the watering holes.
They recount the righteous victories of the Lord and the victories of his villagers in Israel.
THEN the people of the Lord marched down to the city gates. – Judges 5:11

What a great example! Before entering into a battle God has called us to fight, let’s look back and remind ourselves of the many victories God has performed in the past. Let’s give Him praise as we stand in confidence of His power and His mercy.

THE GOD OF OUR PAST STRUGGLES IS THE GOD OF BOTH OUR CURRENT BATTLES AND OUR FUTURE VICTORIES.

Lord, we strategically position ourselves in your presence this morning. Fill us with your strength and your courage. We are ready to do what you have asked us to do. Lord, thank you for being the source of victory in our life. We trust you and we obediently follow you today. Amen.

How the king rejoices in your strength, O Lord!
He shouts with joy because you give him victory.
For you have given him his heart’s desire;
you have withheld nothing he requested…
Rise up, O Lord, in all your power.
With music and singing we celebrate your mighty acts. – Psalm 21:1-2,13

Today’s Reading: Judges 3:31-4:10, Psalm 20

After Ehud, Shamgar son of Anath rescued Israel. He once killed 600 Philistines with an ox goad. — Judges 3:31

SHAMGAR, NINJA WARRIOR

The next “superhero” we find in the book of Judges is Shamgar, son of Anath. We do not have much information about Shamgar, except to say that he once killed 600 Philistines with an ox goad (a long sharp stick used to prod animals). This epitaph of Shamgar’s life is short but sweet. We know that God used Shamgar to rescue Israel from their enemies, and we know that Shamgar had some sick NINJA moves! Now, that’s quite a claim to fame!

But the Israelites again did evil in the Lord’s sight, as they often were in the habit of doing. So God turned them over to King Jabin of Hazor and his commander Sisera, who ruthlessly oppressed the Israelites for 20 years (another generation). Scripture says: Then the people of Israel cried out to the Lord for help (Judges 4:3). 20 years passed before the Israelites humbled themselves and cried out for help!

Lord, forgive me for all the times I try to handle things on my own for a while before I finally give up and ask You for help! Forgive me for delaying my recognition that I am helpless on my own. I KNOW I need you every day, in every situation!

Now I know that the Lord rescues his anointed king.
He will answer him from his holy heaven
and rescue him by his great power.
Some nations boast of their chariots and horses,
but we boast in the name of the Lord our God.
Those nations will fall down and collapse,
but we will rise up and stand firm. – Psalm 20:6-8

DEBORAH, WONDER WOMAN

The next average-person-turned-superhero is Deborah – the Bible’s Wonder Woman. This is the first time we hear in Scripture of a female placed in a formal leadership position. This woman of God would sit under what became known as the Palm of Deborah, and people would come to her for judgment. Obviously God had given her the gift of wisdom and trusted her with great responsibility.

Deborah must have also strategically positioned herself in God’s presence because scripture says she heard from the Lord. He gave her a message to give to Barak, calling him to lead a group of 10,000 warriors into battle in order to set the people free of their current oppression.

One thing that stands out to me about this co-hero, Barak, is that he put conditions on his obedience to God’s call on his life. He was willing to go into battle, just as God asked, but only if Deborah went with him. Does this hit close to home for anyone else?

Yes, Lord, I’ll do what you ask as long as…
I’ll obey if first you…
I want to trust you, but…

God is calling us to respond in obedience to Him, no questions asked. He wants a strong submission to flow out of our love relationship with Him, so that we are eager to be used by Him however He pleases.

Lord, forgive me for all the times I have put conditions on my obedience to your call. Forgive me for my selfish desire to be comfortable while following your plan. Give me the strength to always say “yes” and never “yes, as long as…” Help me to respond in obedience without delay or argument. Lord, my life is yours to use as you see fit. Amen.

Today’s Reading: Judges 1 – 3:30; Psalm 7

I love a good superhero story! Perhaps it is because I grew up watching cartoons every Saturday morning that I enjoy the plot of a superhero coming in and saving the day. Therefore, when I read the book of Judges, it reminds me of a comic book full of superhero stories. Over and over again, the people get themselves into a mess and God sends a superhero (or judge) to come in and save the day! Let’s spend the next two weeks going through the book of Judges and studying how God gave some pretty ordinary people some pretty extraordinary moments!

The superheroes in the Bible were not perfect, but superheroes rarely are. After all, even though Superman was “faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, and able to leap tall buildings in a single bound,” he did have an aversion to green Kryptonite. He went from strong and powerful to pained and nauseous in the presence of this substance. In the same way, the superheroes in the Bible are imperfect.

THE HEROES IN THE BOOK OF JUDGES WERE REGULAR PEOPLE WILLING TO LET GOD DO SOMETHING EXTRAORDINARY WITH THEIR LIVES.

They were flawed, imperfect people with a desire to see God do something heroic. God called them into leadership and filled them with His Spirit so that He could rescue His people through them. The true Superhero in this book is God Himself, and this book reminds us that God is looking for regular people who are willing to let Him do something amazing and heroic with their lives.

When the tribes of Israel went to conquer the land and defeat the Canaanites, they did not fully obey the Lord’s command. Most of the tribes failed to drive out the people living in the land, even though God’s command was to completely destroy them. Because of their disobedience, God declared He would no longer drive out the people living there but would allow them to stay and be thorns in the sides of the Israelites — a constant temptation with their false gods (Judges 2:2-3). Their presence would test whether His people loved God enough to obey His commands and to serve only Him.

This first generation wept at their sin but the next generation forgot about the Lord their God and did evil in the Lord’s sight and served the images of Baal. In His anger, the Lord allowed raiders to come in and steal their possessions. He turned them over to their enemies (2:10-14). After 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, God’s plan was to give them a peaceful and beautiful land but, because of their disobedience, they needed to be rescued over and over again from the villains in their life.

GOD RAISED UP A SUPERHERO!

When the people of Israel cried out to the Lord for help, the Lord raised up a rescuer [superhero] to save them…The Spirit of the Lord came upon him, and he became Israel’s judge. – Judges 3:9-10

First there was Caleb’s nephew, Othniel through whom God gave the Israelites victory after 8 years of suffering. Again the Israelites did evil in the Lord’s sight and King Eglon of Moab controlled Israel for 18 years (a generation). When they cried out to the Lord, He gave them their second hero or judge — Ehud.

Ehud was left-handed, which came in useful when he stood before the king with the Israelites’ tribute. He kept his double-edged dagger hidden under his clothing, strapped to his right thigh. The king cleared the room after Ehud said he had a secret message for him. He approached the king as he reached with his left hand for the dagger and plunged it into the king’ belly. The king was so fat that the dagger disappeared. Ehud locked the doors and escaped down the latrine (3:15-23).

PERHAPS TODAY YOU WILL HAVE A SUPERHERO MOMENT.

Perhaps God is calling us to do SUPER things with His help. The trick is to remember who the real Superhero truly is. The moment I see myself as capable as Wonder Woman, I forget about the Wonderful Counselor. When I believe myself to be as strong as Mighty Mouse, I forget who is the Almighty God! When I start believing I am a modern day Marvel Hero, I take my focus off my Marvelous Lord! There is only one Savior in this world and His name is Jesus Christ! To God be the glory, great things He has done!

God is my shield, saving those whose hearts are true and right. – Psalm 7:10

Lord, we desire for you to do great things through us. Please help us overcome issues of pride and perfectionism, reminding us that we are nothing without you. Give us a fresh infilling of your Spirit today and prepare our hearts for whatever you would have us to do. Please give us a heart of obedience like Moses and daily reminders to be strong and courageous like Joshua. We don’t want to miss any potential superhero moments today! To you be the glory, great things you have done! Amen.

Today’s Reading: Joshua 11 – 22; Romans 8:31-39

When the five Amorite kings united in hopes to attack Gibeon and defeat Israel, the Lord confirmed to Joshua that he would give them victory. Not only did God faithfully fulfill His promise by letting Joshua and the army defeat their enemies, God joined them on the battlefield.

Joshua traveled all night from Gilgal and took the Amorite armies by surprise. The Lord threw them into a panic, and the Israelites slaughtered great numbers of them at Gibeon. Then the Israelites chased the enemy along the road to Beth-horon, killing them all along the way to Azekah and Makkedah. As the Amorites retreated down the road from Beth-horon, the Lord destroyed them with a terrible hailstorm from heaven that continued until they reached Azekah. The hail killed more of the enemy than the Israelites killed with the sword. — Joshua 10:9-11

I love this! God was not just watching passively, God was acting on their behalf. Once more, the Lord struck fear in the hearts of their enemies causing them to panic, and it’s hard to win when panic takes over. And even when their opponents were running away from the battle, God caused a hailstorm to wipe the rest of them out. And this is my favorite part — God defeated more of their enemies from above than the Israelites did from below.

GOD DID MORE! GOD DOES MORE! GOD IS MORE!

God did more than they expected Him to do, and He continues to do more than we give Him credit for today. God is more than we will ever need. What is your battlefield today? How is life pressing in and in what ways do you need God to step in and take over? Let go of the fear and the worry, because panic just leads to us running away from the battle. Pray that God will join you in the middle of everything that is going on and trust Him with the results.

Because God was fighting for them, the promised land of Canaan was conquered and divided between the tribes. Joshua knew the source of his victories because he had a relationship with God, the Victor. Joshua did as he was told, carefully obeying all the commands that the Lord had given Moses (11:15). He followed God wholeheartedly (14:8) and, at the end of his life, he had these words of advice for God’s people. Listen carefully for all the words that speak of RELATIONSHIP:

“Love the Lord your God, walk in his ways, obey his commands, hold firmly to him, and serve him with all your heart and all your soul.” – Joshua 22:5b

“Hold tight to God, your God, just as you’ve done up to now.” – Joshua 23:8, The Message

“So be very careful to love the Lord your God…Deep in your hearts you know that every promise of the Lord has come true. Not a single one has failed!” – Joshua 23:11,14

“So fear the Lord and serve him wholeheartedly…Choose today whom you will serve…But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.” – Joshua 24:14-15

GIVE GOD MORE. CHOOSE TODAY TO SERVE GOD WITH YOUR WHOLE HEART.

Stand firm in your relationship with the Lord and declare your allegiance to the One who gave His life for you. Love Him! Obey Him! Submit to all He is calling you to do and allow Him to fight your battles for you. Trust that the One who conquered death has already won the victory and nothing can separate us from His love!.

What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.

Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.” No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. – Romans 8:31-39

One of the last things Joshua told the people was to turn their hearts to the Lord, yielding to Him (24:23). Or, as The Message interprets it: “Say an unqualified Yes to God!” Unqualified. Not “Yes, IF…” Not “Yes, BUT…” Not “Yes, PROBABLY…” Not, “Yes, I MIGHT…”

TODAY IS THE DAY TO GIVE GOD YOUR “YES!”

God, we thank you for your faithfulness and your daily presence in our lives — for this incredible opportunity to live in relationship with you. Lord, cause our love for you to grow so that our hearts naturally desire to obey you, to trust you, and to follow you. Help us to be content with what you have provided, and help us to call on you when the enemy is pressing in. We pray that you fight our battles for us, and today we choose to serve you and you only. Today we say an unqualified YES to you!

Today’s Reading: Joshua 9–10; Ps 136

Now that the sin of Achan was confessed and taken care of, God renewed His covenant and helped the Israelites find victory in the town of Ai, wiping out everyone and everything. In spite of this renewed covenant, the people of Israel still had a lesson to learn. Without consulting the Lord, they made a decision and entered into a peace treaty with the Gibeonites (9:14). Their foolishness, like that of Achan’s, reaped negative consequences.

But when the people of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai, they resorted to deception to save themselves. They sent ambassadors to Joshua, loading their donkeys with weathered saddlebags and old, patched wineskins. They put on worn-out, patched sandals and ragged clothes. And the bread they took with them was dry and moldy. When they arrived at the camp of Israel at Gilgal, they told Joshua and the men of Israel, “We have come from a distant land to ask you to make a peace treaty with us.” — Joshua 9:3-6

GOD WANTS US TO INQUIRE OF HIM FOR THE SAKE OF RELATIONSHIP.

It is evident even in the Old Testament that God wants a relationship with each of us. He does not want us to live independently, but to inquire of Him – to call on Him. If Joshua had waited to hear from God, or if he had rested on how God had previously instructed him not to make a treaty with any of the Canaanites, perhaps he would not have made this leadership blunder. But the treaty was made before Joshua realized his mistake.

So Joshua did not allow the people of Israel to kill them. But that day he made the Gibeonites the woodcutters and water carriers for the community of Israel and for the altar of the Lord—wherever the Lord would choose to build it. And that is what they do to this day. — Joshua 9:26-27

While having a large group of people do a lot of work for you might not sound all bad, this treaty also came with some responsibility. When the Amorites heard that the people of Gibeon were living in peace with the Israelites, they decided to join together to attack Gibeon.

The men of Gibeon quickly sent messengers to Joshua at his camp in Gilgal. “Don’t abandon your servants now!” they pleaded. “Come at once! Save us! Help us! For all the Amorite kings who live in the hill country have joined forces to attack us.” So Joshua and his entire army, including his best warriors, left Gilgal and set out for Gibeon. “Do not be afraid of them,” the Lord said to Joshua, “for I have given you victory over them. Not a single one of them will be able to stand up to you.” — Joshua 10:6-8

GOD WANTS US TO INQUIRE OF HIM BEFORE WE ENTER INTO BATTLE.

The Lord confirmed to Joshua that He would give them victory. They called on God and He listened to them. Joshua knew that he needed God if he was going to be the leader God’s people needed him to be in order to accomplish the task God had assigned.

On the day the Lord gave the Israelites victory over the Amorites, Joshua prayed to the Lord in front of all the people of Israel. He said, “Let the sun stand still over Gibeon, and the moon over the valley of Aijalon.” So the sun stood still and the moon stayed in place until the nation of Israel had defeated its enemies….There has never been a day like this one before or since, when the Lord answered such a prayer. Surely the Lord fought for Israel that day! — Joshua 10:12-14

NOT ONLY WILL GOD LISTEN TO US, HE WILL RESPOND.

Joshua prayed BIG and God answered his prayer. God let His presence be known in the battle by causing the sun and moon to stand still. This reminds me of another day when God used the movement of the sun in order to make His presence known.

By this time it was about noon, and darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. The light from the sun was gone. And suddenly, the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn down the middle. Then Jesus shouted, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” And with those words he breathed his last.

When the Roman officer overseeing the execution saw what had happened, he worshiped God and said, “Surely this man was innocent.” And when all the crowd that came to see the crucifixion saw what had happened, they went home in deep sorrow. But Jesus’ friends, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance watching. – Luke 23:44-49

God let His reaction to Jesus’ crucifixion be known by putting out or blocking the light of the sun. Those who experienced the action of God that day walked away with the knowledge that the man on the cross was innocent. The moment Jesus died, He became the sacrifice needed in order for us to experience salvation. When he breathed his last breath, Jesus made it possible for us to be made right with God.

For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ. – 2 Corinthians 5:21

Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. – Romans 3:24-25a

My prayer for all of us this morning is that we will see God at work — that we will know He is present in our battles. God does not want us to live in fear, but in faith. The Lord repeated the same words he spoke in Joshua 1:9, just like He reminds us again today:

“Don’t ever be afraid or discouraged,” Joshua told his men. “BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS, for the Lord is going to do this…” – Joshua 10:25

Give thanks to him who made the heavenly lights—
His faithful love endures forever.
the sun to rule the day,
His faithful love endures forever.
and the moon and stars to rule the night.
His faithful love endures forever. – Psalm 136:7-9

Today’s Reading: Joshua 7-8; Luke 23; Psalm 62

God entered into a covenant relationship with the people of Israel. A covenant is a formal or serious agreement between two people or two parties. This agreement was that the people of Israel would obey God out of love for Him and He would be with them and bless them in return. If they chose disobedience, there would be curses instead.

A MAN REAPS WHAT HE SOWS.

Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. – Galatians 6:8

After their victory at Jericho, God gave specific instructions not to take any of the things from Jericho for themselves, but only to pull aside the silver, gold, bronze, and iron for the Lord’s treasury. If anyone disobeyed, it would bring trouble to the entire camp. A man named Achan saw a beautiful robe, 200 silver coins and a bar of gold weighing more than a pound. He wanted them so much that he took them (7:21). God had supplied Achan’s every need, but Achan was focused more on what he wanted but did not have, rather than focusing on all God had provided.

Unaware of this hidden sin, Joshua confidently led a group of 3000 warriors to the next town, but they were defeated and lost 36 of their men. The people were so sure that God would bless them and give them victory, yet God did not work as they expected. They were paralyzed with fear at this turn of events and their courage melted away. They tore their clothes in dismay and bowed down to the ground asking God, “Why?”

How often is our faith paralyzed by fear when God does not move as we expect Him to? We long to trust God in spite of the pain and suffering. If we’ve learned anything from Joshua, it is to be strong and courageous. Do not be overcome by fear, but recognize God’s presence all around us.

HOLD TIGHTLY TO GOD IN ALL SITUATIONS, EVEN WHEN HE DOES NOT MOVE AS WE EXPECT HIM TO.

When Joshua and the people came to the Lord, seeking an answer for their defeat, God revealed that the covenant relationship had been broken. God ordered that everything be eliminated that would keep them from being totally devoted to Him. Achan had kept items from the Jericho plunder, items that had been set apart for destruction. He confessed his sin saying, “I wanted them so much that I took them” (7:21).

The definition of sin itself — to know what you ought to do and then not do it (James 4:17). How often do we let our sin nature take over and do exactly what we know we should not do. The apostle Paul described it well in Romans chapter 7.

“And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway.” – Romans 7:18-19

Achan was found guilty and his sin not only destroyed him and the 36 warriors who died in battle, but also his entire family. His selfish decision affected those he loved most, left 36 families grieving the loss of their soldier, and brought trouble to the entire camp. They placed stones over the place where Achan died for his sins and named the place the Valley of Trouble.

When we choose to do what we want to do with total disregard for God’s instructions, we find ourselves in a dark place — a place of trouble. The good news is that we serve a God who wants to restore the covenant relationship with us. He is willing to forgive us and bring us from a point of defeat to a place of grace. Thank you, God, for your undeserved blessings! You are so generous to us.

GOD PULLS US FROM THE GRAVE OF OUR SIN AND WALKS US THROUGH A GATEWAY OF HOPE.

I will return her vineyards to her and transform the Valley of Trouble into a gateway of hope. – Hosea 2:15a

Today we are reminded that Jesus willingly died for our sins. He who was without sin followed God’s plan of salvation, even though it meant a painful crucifixion. As he hung on the cross, two criminals hung on either side of Jesus. One mocked the Lord while the other recognized that Jesus had done nothing to deserve this place on the cross, while he bore the weight of his own sins that day. He asked Jesus to remember him in his kingdom, recognizing that Jesus was in fact the King of the Jews.

And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” – Luke 23:43

As you read the story of Achan, did you feel shame settle into your spirit? Do you feel the weight of your sin, picturing yourself in a place of trouble and ashamed by your actions? We have all sinned; we all live with regrets of decisions made and seasons of rebellion. But Jesus died on the cross so that we can experience freedom from our sins — escape from our place of trouble. He has invited us to enter into a gateway of hope and fully accept the salvation for which He died. Perhaps Good Friday can be your day to accept Jesus’ invitation to transform your Valley of Trouble into a Gateway of Hope.

Let all that I am wait quietly before God,
for my hope is in him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress where I will not be shaken.
My victory and honor come from God alone.
He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.
O my people, trust in him at all times.
Pour out your heart to him,
for God is our refuge. – Psalm 62:5-8

Today’s Reading: Joshua 6, Mark 11:1-11; Psalm 118

Now the gates of Jericho were tightly shut because the people were afraid of the Israelites. No one was allowed to go out or in. But the Lord said to Joshua, “I have given you Jericho, its king, and all its strong warriors. You and your fighting men should march around the town once a day for six days. Seven priests will walk ahead of the Ark, each carrying a ram’s horn. On the seventh day you are to march around the town seven times, with the priests blowing the horns. When you hear the priests give one long blast on the rams’ horns, have all the people shout as loud as they can. Then the walls of the town will collapse, and the people can charge straight into the town.” — Joshua 6:1-5

Joshua obediently took these instructions to the priests. He told them to choose seven priests from among them to blow their ram’ horn while they marched around the city. Some of the armed men would walk ahead of them and some would walk behind the Ark. With the Ark of the Covenant just behind them in the parade, they would be “marching in the presence of the Lord” (6:8). They would not be alone; God would be with them.

AMAZING THINGS HAPPEN IN THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD

God’s people were told to not say a word until they were given the command. The only thing that would be heard is the sound of the seven priests blowing their horns and the sound of their feet. This was not a sneak attack but rather a 6-day display in front of their enemies. The Israelite army followed the Lord’s instructions, while their enemies watched in confusion and fear.

Because they chose to be patient and obey, God’s people experienced AMAZING things. On the seventh day, they marched around the town seven times with the priests blowing the horns. When they gave one final long blast, all the people began to shout as loud as they could, just as the Lord had instructed Joshua.

Suddenly the walls of Jericho collapsed, and the Israelites charged straight into the town and captured it. — Joshua 6:20b

Do you want to see God do AMAZING things in your life as much as I do? Do you have walls that need to come down in your life, or strongholds that need to be broken? I encourage you to invite God to lead you — ask the Lord to join you as you walk around your Jericho. Even when His promptings seem ridiculous or require a great amount of faith, choose today to march around the WALLS and allow God to start bringing them down.

At that time Joshua invoked this curse: “May the curse of the Lord fall on anyone who tries to rebuild the town of Jericho…” – Joshua 6:26a

AMAZING THINGS HAPPEN IN THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD

Once God has destroyed the walls in our lives, or set us free from the strongholds that keep us from fully experiencing His promises, do not allow them to be rebuilt. Do not look back or allow the enemy to keep you attached to the things the Lord has healed in your life. If God has forgiven you, acknowledge the rubble without rebuilding the walls. Be strong and courageous, choosing freedom rather than fear.

In my distress I prayed to the Lord,
and the Lord answered me and set me free.
The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear…
This is the day that the Lord has made.
We will rejoice and be glad in it. – Psalm 118:5-6a,24

Heavenly Father, we give you this day. Almighty God, we feel blessed to spend time in your presence. Reveal to us today the walls that we have seen as immovable and give us the faith to follow your lead and the voice to SHOUT out in confidence. We pray that you will bring down the walls of our Jerichos and teach us to trust you with the deepest hurts and biggest challenges in our lives. Amen.

As we move into a weekend full of Easter celebrations, may we find ourselves shouting our praise to the One whose triumphant entry has made an incredible impact on our lives. May our worship of the risen Savior break down walls and knock down the strongholds in our lives. Praise God for ALL He has done for us, for the transformation He has caused in us, and for the beautiful impact He has on others when He shines through us!

AMAZING THINGS HAPPEN IN THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD

Many in the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of him, and others spread leafy branches they had cut in the fields. Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting,
“Praise God!
Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Blessings on the coming Kingdom of our ancestor David!
Praise God in highest heaven!” – Mark 11:8-10

Today’s Reading: Joshua 5, Psalm 135

When all the Amorite kings west of the Jordan and all the Canaanite kings who lived along the Mediterranean coast heard how the Lord had dried up the Jordan River so the people of Israel could cross, they lost heart and were paralyzed with fear because of them. – Joshua 5:1

THE REPUTATION OF OUR GOD PRECEDES US.

Your name, O Lord, endures forever;
your fame, O Lord, is known to every generation. – Psalm 135:13

The stories of the power of the God of Israel spread throughout the land, and the Canaanites feared this group that had crossed the Jordan River and were headed their way. They had no idea what would happen next, but they knew what God was capable of and that caused them to fear His people. But even with God on their side, the Israelites were not quite ready for the battle ahead.

Before experiencing what God was about to do for His people, the Israelites needed to take some time to fully consecrate themselves to the One who had brought them this far. He had freed them from the Egyptians, displaying His power through the ten plagues. God had provided dry land for them to cross the Red Sea, and they watched as the waters enveloped their enemies. He had continued to provide water, manna, quail, and shade for them, even in the wilderness. Now they had crossed over into Canaan, but there was one more thing they needed to do and one more thing God wanted to do — they needed to make things right with God and God wanted to roll away their shame.

When God made His covenant with Abraham, He was also making a covenant with the descendants of Abraham. From generation to generation, He would be their God: “And I will give the entire land of Canaan, where you now live as a foreigner, to you and your descendants. It will be their possession forever, and I will be their God” (Genesis 17:8).

In the confirmation of this beautiful relationship between the Creator and His creation, God established the mark of His covenant — circumcision. Every Israelite male was to be circumcised when he was eight days old as a way of bearing evidence of the everlasting covenant relationship with God (Genesis 17:9-14). But the army standing in front of Joshua had not been circumcised like their fathers had been, and it was time to make things right with God. So all the males were circumcised and given time to rest and heal.

Then the Lord said to Joshua, “Today I have rolled away the shame of your slavery in Egypt.” So that place has been called Gilgal to this day. – Joshua 5:9

THE MERCY OF OUR GOD ROLLS OUR SHAME AWAY.

Often the awareness of how great our God is provides a contrast of how unworthy we are of His love. When we look back and see all the mistakes we have made, and when we know how our heart tends to gravitate towards sin, we carry the weight of our unrighteousness into our relationship with God. How could this amazing God call me His child? How could this God of holiness want anything to do with a sinner like me?

“Fear not; you will no longer live in shame.
Don’t be afraid; there is no more disgrace for you.” – Isaiah 54:4

This is the character of God beautifully on display in the lives of His people. How grateful I am to serve a God who is both powerful and merciful. He is faithful in keeping His promises to us, and He is generous in His provision for us and protection over us. I pray that you will allow Him to roll away your shame and that you will walk in confidence as you daily experience His mercy and His grace.

While camped in the plains of Jericho, the Israelites celebrated Passover. They took time to remember how the angel of death had passed over their homes in Egypt and spared their firstborn sons. They praised Him for rescuing them from a place of slavery and giving them the promise of freedom. They ate unleavened bread and roasted grain that they themselves had harvested from the land they had just entered. No more manna. They had arrived and were already experiencing the fulfillment of God’s promise to them (Joshua 5:10-12).

Instead of shame and dishonor,
you will enjoy a double share of honor.
You will possess a double portion of prosperity in your land,
and everlasting joy will be yours. — Isaiah 61:7

I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me.
He freed me from all my fears.
Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy;
no shadow of shame will darken their faces.
In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened;
he saved me from all my troubles. — Psalm 34:4-6

Today’s Reading: Joshua 3–4; Psalm 100

God wanted Joshua’s attention and his focus. He wanted him to study and be familiar with God’s law and to listen obediently to God for his every move. Joshua’s success was dependent on this preparation and obedience. Joshua was commissioned by God with these very specific instructions:

• Be strong and courageous, for I am with you.
• Don’t get discouraged, for I will be with you.
• Be obedient by meditating on my word.

STEP ONE

The first step was taken. The people of Israel had been moved from the grove of Acacia trees where they had been camping since Joshua sent the spies into Jericho, and now they were at the banks of the Jordan River (3:1). Joshua sent leaders throughout the camp to instruct the people to watch for their cue to cross the river. When they saw the Levites carrying the Ark of the Covenant towards the water, they were to get up and follow them:

“Since you have never traveled this way before, they will guide you.” – Joshua 3:4a

Joshua’s faith and obedience were going to be tested moving forward. God told Joshua – you have never been this way before, SO FOLLOW ME for tomorrow I will do AMAZING things among you (3:3-5). You do not have to figure out how to cross this river on your own; I am going to lead you. What a beautiful recognition that this was a new experience for God’s people. They were entering new territory, but God would guide them. Tomorrow was going to be a special day; tomorrow the Lord was going to lead them across the Jordan River to the land He had promised them.

STEP TWO

In the morning Joshua said to the priests, “Lift up the Ark of the Covenant and lead the people across the river.” And so they started out and went ahead of the people. The Lord told Joshua, “Today I will begin to make you a great leader in the eyes of all the Israelites. They will know that I am with you, just as I was with Moses. Give this command to the priests who carry the Ark of the Covenant: ‘When you reach the banks of the Jordan River, take a few steps into the river and stop there.’” – Joshua 3:7-8

It was harvest season, which meant the Jordan was overflowing its banks. God gave Joshua very clear instructions, telling him to obey with strength and courage. They were to step into the rushing waters with confidence in the Lord.

Those who were twenty years of age or younger could remember that spectacular day at the Red Sea, and others had grown up hearing the story of what their ancestors had experienced. Imagine the anticipation as they walked towards the flooded waters; consider the excitement that their God was about to do something big for them AGAIN.

Today was different from the last time though. When Moses had led the Israelites to the banks of the Red Sea, they were told, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today” (Exodus 14:13a). Moses had stepped forward with his staff, raised his hand over the waters, and the Red Sea had parted. The people walked across dry land to reach the other side. But this time, God was requiring those in leadership to take the first step into the rushing waters. They were about to see the mighty strength of their God on display, but they had to step out in faith first.

STEP THREE

But as soon as the feet of the priests who were carrying the Ark touched the water at the river’s edge, the water above that point began backing up a great distance away at a town called Adam, which is near Zarethan. And the water below that point flowed on to the Dead Sea until the riverbed was dry. Then all the people crossed over near the town of Jericho. Meanwhile, the priests who were carrying the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant stood on dry ground in the middle of the riverbed as the people passed by. They waited there until the whole nation of Israel had crossed the Jordan on dry ground. – Joshua 3:15b-17

It wasn’t until their feet touched the Jordan that the river parted and dry ground appeared in front of them. They chose faith and not fear, and therefore experienced many AMAZING things just as God had promised. They took twelve stones from the middle of the riverbed and carried them to Gilgal, where they would camp for the night. Then Joshua stacked twelve more rocks where the priests were standing with the Ark of the Covenant as a memorial of the miracle their God had given them.

Then Joshua said to the Israelites, “In the future your children will ask, ‘What do these stones mean?’ Then you can tell them, ‘This is where the Israelites crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’ For the Lord your God dried up the river right before your eyes, and he kept it dry until you were all across, just as he did at the Red Sea when he dried it up until we had all crossed over. He did this so all the nations of the earth might know that the Lord’s hand is powerful, and so you might fear the Lord your God forever.” – Joshua 4:21-24

The God who parted the Red Sea is still the God who pulls back the waters for us. The Lord who provided dry ground for the Israelites to cross the Jordan River is the God who provides a path for us to follow today. Let’s take time to remember all He has done for us. Let’s tell the stories to our children of how our God has been faithful, and will continue to be faithful generation after generation.

Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth!
Worship the Lord with gladness.
Come before him, singing with joy.
Acknowledge that the Lord is God!
He made us, and we are his.
We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving;
go into his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the Lord is good.
His unfailing love continues forever,
and his faithfulness continues to each generation. – Psalm 100

Today’s reading: Joshua 2, Psalm 121

God had granted land on the east side of the Jordan River to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh, calling it their place of rest. But He instructed them to send their strong warriors, fully armed, with the other tribes to help them conquer the territory they had been given. Their response was one of obedience and community:

“We will do whatever you command us, and we will go wherever you send us…So be strong and courageous!” – Joshua 1:16

What a beautiful way for the people to let their new leader know that they supported him and would be with him through the battles ahead. They acknowledged the amount of strength and courage this leadership assignment would require, and they assured him of their loyalty.

Joshua sent two spies ahead of them to scout out the land on the other side of the Jordan River, especially the walled city of Jericho. When they arrived, they stayed at the house of a prostitute named Rahab. But word got back to the king and he ordered Rahab to bring the two men to him. She deceived the king and told him the men had already left, so he sent his men out to find them and shut the gates of the city. Then Rahab went up to the roof where she had hidden the two Israelite spies.

“I know the Lord has given you this land,” she told them. “We are all afraid of you. Everyone in the land is living in terror. For we have heard how the Lord made a dry path for you through the Red Sea when you left Egypt. And we know what you did to Sihon and Og, the two Amorite kings east of the Jordan River, whose people you completely destroyed. No wonder our hearts have melted in fear! No one has the courage to fight after hearing such things. For the Lord your God is the supreme God of the heavens above and the earth below.” – Joshua 2:9-11

The reputation of God’s people had arrived in Canaan way before they did. The people of Jericho knew how God had rescued them from the Egyptians; they knew how He had parted the Red Sea so that they could cross safely on dry ground. They had heard how the Israelites had already conquered and destroyed Sihon and Og, and were afraid of what would happen if this large army arrived at the gates of Jericho.

Two things jump out at me in this passage that remind me of scriptures we have read in Deuteronomy and Numbers. First of all, in his final speech to the twelve tribes of Israel, Moses had encouraged the people that God was not only with them, He was before them. God had promised to be where He was sending them; He had promised to subdue the Canaanites so that they would be easier to conquer.

“Today you are about to cross the Jordan River…But recognize today that the Lord your God is the one who will cross over ahead of you like a devouring fire to destroy them. He will subdue them so that you will quickly conquer them and drive them out, just as the Lord has promised.” – Deuteronomy 9:1,3

Our God is so amazing! He struck fear in the hearts of the people of Jericho. He started fighting the battle for His people even before they took their first step of obedience into the land God had promised them. He did this for the Israelites and He does the same thing for us today.

HE IS THE GOD WHO GOES BEFORE US — WHO CROSSES OVER, PREPARES THE WAY, AND GIVES US THE STRENGTH AND COURAGE TO RESPOND TO ALL HE IS ASKING US TO DO.

This passage also reminds me of the first time the Israelites had sent spies into Canaan. For 40 days, twelve spies had explored the beautiful land God was giving them. Ten of the twelve spies responded in fear to what it would require to follow God in obedience, and this fear spread throughout the people.

“We entered the land you sent us to explore, and it is indeed a bountiful country—a land flowing with milk and honey. Here is the kind of fruit it produces. But the people living there are powerful, and their towns are large and fortified. We even saw giants there, the descendants of Anak!…We can’t go up against them! They are stronger than we are!…Next to them we felt like grasshoppers, and that’s what they thought, too!” – Numbers 13:27-28,31,33

Fear is contagious and can become a distraction to all God’s blessings, and perhaps this is why God reminded Joshua over and over again to be strong and courageous. This former response of fear had caused their ancestors to wander in the wilderness for 40 years, and their absence on this day was a reminder of the consequence of choosing fear over faith. They had been convinced that they would appear small in the eyes of the people of Canaan, but they forgot how big their God was.

THIS WHOLE JOURNEY WAS NOT ABOUT WHAT THEY WERE CAPABLE OF, BUT ABOUT THEIR GOD FOR WHOM NOTHING WAS IMPOSSIBLE!

The spies went up into the hill country and stayed there three days. The men who were chasing them searched everywhere along the road, but they finally returned without success. Then the two spies came down from the hill country, crossed the Jordan River, and reported to Joshua all that had happened to them. “The Lord has given us the whole land,” they said, “for all the people in the land are terrified of us.” – Joshua 2:21-24

God, we look to you this morning for a reminder that you are powerful and capable. Nothing is impossible for you, and you are our help in the middle of life’s struggles. Thank you for watching over us as we come and as we go. We pray for you to give us the kind of faith that recognizes your presence and steps confidently into whatever you are asking us to do.

I look up to the mountains — does my help come from there?
My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!
He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber.
Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps.
The Lord himself watches over you!
The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade.
The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night.
The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life.
The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go,
both now and forever. – Psalm 121