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

Today’s reading: Joshua 1; Numbers 27:12-23; Psalm 46

“But commission Joshua, and encourage and strengthen him, for he will lead this people across and will cause them to inherit the land that you will see.” – Deuteronomy 3:28

Joshua served faithfully under the leadership of Moses, and Moses took the time to teach him along the way. Moses was the mentor and Joshua was his apprentice. Moses would not be entering the Promised Land, but God allowed him to be a part by investing in the future of His people — by training his successor.

Then the Lord commissioned Joshua son of Nun with these words: “Be strong and courageous, for you must bring the people of Israel into the land I swore to give them. I will be with you.” – Deuteronomy 31:23

Joshua heard directly from God after Moses died, making it clear that this was his God-appointed moment — that God had called him and would be with him. He was no longer the intern; he was now the leader.

“…the time has come for you to lead…I promise you what I promised Moses: ‘Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you’…No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you.” – Joshua 1:2-5

BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS.

“Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people…Be strong and VERY courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. This is my command — be strong and very courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:6-9

God’s instructions for Joshua were very clear — be strong and courageous, and be careful to obey all of my instructions. Joshua’s leadership was God-ordained, but he was never meant to lead out of his own strength and wisdom. God had provided Joshua with His word so that he could study it and meditate on it. All the instructions were there for him, just as God would provide the courage.

GOD PROVIDES THE COURAGE WE NEED TO SAY YES TO HIS ASSIGNMENT.

Leadership is hard. The moment Joshua stepped into the top leadership position, it may have seemed to others that he was living his best life. But leading God’s people had never been easy for Moses, it would not be easy for Joshua, and it is still not easy today. Leadership assignments come with stress and anxiety; they come with tough decisions and interpersonal conflicts.

“Have I not commanded you, be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified. Don’t be discouraged. For the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9

I think we can all relate to those moments when we want to follow God with all our heart, but it takes overcoming fear to really embrace our faith. Perhaps God’s words of instruction to Joshua are exactly what you need to hear today. Today would be a great day to pray for courage — for freedom from the fear that threatens to cripple us and from the anxiety that tries to steal our joy.

I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears. – Psalm 34:4

GOD HELPS US OVERCOME OUR FEAR SO THAT WE CAN EMBRACE OUR FAITH.

I am guessing Joshua knew a lot about this battle between fear and faith. Fear fights our faith, weakening our resolve and attacking our confidence in the God who has promised to provide and protect. But faith is exactly what we need to overcome the power of our fear. It is a gift from God.

God is our refuge and strength,
always ready to help in times of trouble.
So we will not fear when earthquakes come
and the mountains crumble into the sea.
Let the oceans roar and foam.
Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge! – Psalm 46:1-3

God, I recognize this morning that you are my refuge and my strength. You are always there for me when I am in trouble or feeling troubled. Because of that, I will not fear when my world is shaken, I will not be afraid when life comes crumbling down around me. I choose to be still and know that you are God. Please free me from the anxiety that steals my confidence and discourages me from saying YES to all that you want to accomplish in me and through me. Amen.

Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 31-34; Psalm 18

I love you, Lord; you are my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. – Psalm 18:1-2

Today we finish up the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible). The last 11 weeks have given us a great opportunity to picture God’s relationship with humankind — from the Garden of Eden to crossing over into the Promised Land. God clearly laid out how to enter into a covenant relationship and what will break that covenant relationship. He has given us a choice of whether or not to follow Him. If we truly love God, obedience will flow from that love relationship and faith will grow.

DO NOT BE AFRAID, GOD IS WITH YOU.

Moses told the people that he would not be going with them into the promised land but that God would be with them. In fact, not only was God going WITH them, He was also going BEFORE them. As he handed leadership over to Joshua, he gave them these words of encouragement:

“Be strong and courageous! For you will lead these people into the land that the Lord swore to their ancestors he would give them…Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.” – Deuteronomy 31:7-8

The reason Moses would not be going with them into Canaan was because he did not fully obey God’s instructions. When God told him to speak to the rock to make water flow, Moses struck the rock instead. God gave Moses his own “rock song” to sing in his last moments — a song that speaks of a different kind of ROCK.

GOD IS THE ROCK OF OUR SALVATION.

“Listen, O heavens, and I will speak!
Hear, O earth, the words that I say!
Let my teaching fall on you like rain; let my speech settle like dew.
Let my words fall like rain on tender grass, like gentle showers on young plants.
I will proclaim the name of the Lord; how glorious is our God!
He is the Rock; his deeds are perfect.
Everything he does is just and fair.
He is a faithful God who does no wrong; how just and upright he is!” – Deuteronomy 32:1-4

THE LORD IS MY ROCK, MY PLACE OF SAFETY.

Then Moses went up to Mount Nebo where he could see all of Canaan to the east. The Lord showed him the land he had promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Then Moses died, just as the Lord had said he would, and the Lord buried him in a valley but to this day no one knows the exact place.

There has never been another prophet in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face. The Lord sent him to perform all the miraculous signs and wonders in the land of Egypt against Pharoah, and all his servants, and his entire land. With mighty power, Moses performed terrifying acts in the sight of all Israel. – Deuteronomy 34:10-12

Moses was strong and his eyesight was clear when he died. The same Moses who had argued with God when called, who questioned his own ability to be used by God, and who had a moment of trusting more in his own strength than in God’s word — this imperfect man had an intimate relationship with God like no other man had ever had.

Thank you for being a personal and intimate God! Thank you for your grace and mercy that picks us up when we fall and gives us new opportunities to be used for your purposes. Father God, we praise you for your steady and faithful presence in our lives. May we see moments today when you make us strong and courageous, trusting in the Rock that goes before us and is with us. May it be said of us when we die that we had a personal relationship with the Rock of our Salvation! Amen.

To the faithful you show yourself faithful;
to those with integrity you show integrity.
To the pure you show yourself pure,
but to the crooked you show yourself shrewd.
You rescue the humble, but you humiliate the proud.
You light a lamp for me.
The Lord, my God, lights up my darkness.
In your strength I can crush an army;
with my God I can scale any wall.
God’s way is perfect.
All the Lord’s promises prove true.
He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.
For who is God except the Lord?
Who but our God is a solid rock? – Psalm 18:25-31

Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 27-30; Psalm 2

“Today the Lord your God has commanded you to obey all these decrees and regulations. So be careful to obey them WHOLEHEARTEDLY. You have declared today that the Lord is your God. And you have promised to walk in his ways, and to obey his decrees, commands, and regulations, and to do everything he tells you. The Lord has declared today that you are his people, his own special treasure, just as he promised, and that you must obey all his commands.” – Deuteronomy 26:16-18

What a great description of the covenant relationship God set up with His people. If the people would declare their obedience, not just in word but with all their heart, they would be his special treasure. Love and obedience were both necessary in this covenant relationship. If they chose love but not obedience, or if they chose obedience but not love, they were breaking their covenant with God.

CHOOSE BOTH LOVE AND OBEDIENCE TODAY.

“The Lord said to me, ‘You are my son.
Today I have become your Father.’” – Psalm 2:7b

God was looking for more than just token obedience – following a set of rules, doing the bare minimum required; He was looking for a wholehearted commitment — a familial relationship. The psalmist put it beautifully when he declared, “I run in the path of your commands for you have set my heart free” (Psalm 119:32). Can you picture the path and the choice to run with vigor the path marked out ahead?

“Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the One who is leading.” – Oswald Chambers

God’s commands provide the boundaries for the path that He calls us to run with enthusiasm. Moses laid out for the Israelites all the blessings that would be theirs if they would FULLY obey the Lord and CAREFULLY keep all his commands. He also laid out the curses that would come and overwhelm them if they walked outside of the boundaries God’s commands had established. In fact, he spent 14 verses describing the blessings and 54 verses describing the curses.

Moses explained that this covenant relationship was for all of them standing there that day but also for future generations. Their decision would affect the next generation and the generations to come. Someday someone will ask, “Why has the Lord done this to the land? Why was he so angry?” The answer will be because the people abandoned their covenant relationship with God. They thought they were safe and could follow the desires of their own stubborn heart (28:24-25,19). But if you return to the Lord, the Lord will have mercy and do a work in your heart.

IT’S YOUR CHOICE.

“The Lord will delight in you if you obey his voice and keep the commands and decrees written in this Book of Instruction, and if you turn to the Lord your God with all your heart and soul.” – Deuteronomy 30:10

This next passage is one of my favorites. I love how Moses lays out the choice before God’s people — the choice for life or death, for blessings or curses. It is a great reminder for us today that God is calling us to a life of obedience that is a natural outcome of our love for the Lord. We choose to walk in His ways because He has set our heart free from sin and death.

“Now listen! Today I am giving you a choice between life and death, between prosperity and disaster. For I command you this day to love the Lord your God and to keep his commands, decrees, and regulations by walking in his ways. If you do this, you will live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you and the land you are about to enter and occupy.

“But if your heart turns away and you refuse to listen, and if you are drawn away to serve and worship other gods, then I warn you now that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live a long, good life in the land you are crossing the Jordan to occupy.

“Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would CHOOSE LIFE, so that you and your descendants might live! You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life. And if you LOVE and OBEY the Lord, you will live long in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.” – Deuteronomy 30:15-20

TODAY IS THE DAY WE CHOOSE YOU, LORD!

Father God, thank you for loving us. Our heart’s desire is to walk in your ways and to respond in obedience. Because you have set our hearts free, our response is to joyfully run down the path of your commands. We ask for you to fill us with your Spirit and give us the strength to be fully committed to you. Help us to see the path you have laid out for us on this love journey — a path with boundaries provided to keep us in the center of your plan for our lives. Today, we choose you. We choose to love you, to obey you and to commit our lives firmly to you. We thank you for the blessings you pour out on our lives each day. You are truly amazing! Amen.

I will fulfill my vows to you, O God,
and will offer a sacrifice of thanks for your help.
For you have rescued me from death;
you have kept my feet from slipping.
So now I can walk in your presence, O God,
in your life-giving light. – Psalm 56:12-13

Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 21–26; Psalm 112

As we read the next few chapters of Deuteronomy, we clearly see that we serve a God of compassion. The people of Israel were instructed to set aside three cities of refuge for people to escape to in case they accidentally caused another person’s death. God also set up protections for landowners and for those accused by only one person of committing a crime. He also provided a way for the foreign nations to surrender to the people of Israel and live in slavery, instead of being attacked and killed.

OUR MERCIFUL GOD CALLS US TO LIVE A LIFE OF MERCY TOWARDS OTHERS.

Moses went through a long list of instructions and rules. He described specific scenarios and taught the people how to respond in various situations. In all this, he wanted the people to obey out of love for God and compassion for others. He called them to have a generous mindset towards those in need.

“Never take advantage of poor and destitute laborers, whether they are fellow Israelites or foreigners living in your towns. You must pay them their wages each day before sunset because they are poor and are counting on it. If you don’t, they might cry out to the Lord against you, and it would be counted against you as sin.” – Deuteronomy 24:14-15

Remember that you were once slaves and that God rescued you from your slavery. That is why I am commanding you to be generous with those in need, as you were once in need. When you are harvesting your crop, don’t take it all for yourself but always set some aside for the foreigners, orphans, and widows. Then the Lord your God will bless you in all you do (Deuteronomy 24:18-19).

FROM A IT’S-MINE ATTITUDE TO A HERE-YOU-GO GENEROSITY.

God calls us to look at the treasures of this earth as temporary and unimportant. He knows that clinging to our earthly belongings will only bring us satisfaction for a short time, but using our earthly resources to make a difference in the lives of others will give us lasting joy. Do not look at the blessings received on earth with pride or selfishness, but turn around and offer those blessings back to the Lord. Perhaps He will do something wonderful with your earthly treasures and be glorified because of your selfless attitude.

Moses continued with expectations of generosity towards the church as well: Take all that you have harvested from the land God has given you and put some of the first produce from each crop into a basket and bring it to the place of worship – the place where the Lord your God chooses for His name to be honored. In thanksgiving for all God has done for you, bring the first portion of the harvest to God. Then you may go and celebrate all of the good things the Lord your God has given to you and to your household (Deuteronomy 26:2,10-11,13).

OUR GENEROUS GOD IS CALLING US TO LIVE A LIFE OF GENEROSITY.

Just as Moses was calling God’s people to a spirit of generosity towards the church (Levites) and the less fortunate, God is calling us to share freely with the church and those in need. He cries out for us to listen to His voice and keep all His commands, doing what pleases Him instead of what pleases ourselves or others.

Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. – Deuteronomy 15:10

Father God, give us a heart of compassion for those in need and a spirit of generosity towards others. Help us to respond in obedience when you call us to let go of all you have blessed us with for the sake of your kingdom. Take away our tendency to claim what we possess and replace it with the desire to claim that all we own is yours.

Light shines in the darkness for the godly.
They are generous, compassionate, and righteous.
Good comes to those who lend money generously
and conduct their business fairly.
Such people will not be overcome by evil.
Those who are righteous will be long remembered.
They do not fear bad news;
they confidently trust the Lord to care for them.
They are confident and fearless
and can face their foes triumphantly.
They share freely and give generously to those in need.
Their good deeds will be remembered forever.
They will have influence and honor. – Psalm 112:4-9

Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 18-20; Psalm 91

Has the task ahead of you ever seemed bigger than you have the ability to conquer? Do you ever feel discouraged by everything that presses against us, making it hard to accomplish the mission to which God has called us? I am so grateful when someone among us stands us and reminds us that God is with us! He is fighting for us and His is the victory!

“When you go out to fight your enemies and you face horses and chariots and an army greater than your own, do not be afraid. The Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, is with you! When you prepare for battle, the priest must come forward to speak to the troops. He will say to them, ‘Listen to me, all you men of Israel! Do not be afraid as you go out to fight your enemies today! Do not lose heart or panic or tremble before them. For the Lord your God is going with you! He will fight for you against your enemies, and he will give you victory!’” – Deuteronomy 20:1-4

DO NOT BE AFRAID; THE LORD WILL FIGHT FOR YOU!

Our God is with us. He does not send us into the battlefield alone. He who has already won the victory goes with us, just like he crosses over ahead of us. He is behind us, beside, before us, and all around us. He does not leave us alone on the journey of obedience, and He does not forsake us when times get difficult.

“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

DO NOT BE AFRAID; BE PREPARED FOR WHAT IS AHEAD.

This 20th chapter of Deuteronomy goes on as the leaders of the the Lord’s army asked some interesting questions:
• Is there anyone among you who is unprepared for the battle? Go home and do what you need to do to return ready for battle.
• Is there anyone among you who is afraid or worried? Go home before you spread a spirit of fear among those around you.
• Come expecting peace but ready for the fight.
• Get rid of the customs and philosophies of this world that would cause you to sin deeply against the Lord your God.
• Pick the fruit without cutting down the trees. Look for signs of growth and fruit without destroying the potential to bear fruit in the future.

Moses cautioned God’s people to consider if they had any unfinished business. Have you started something that needs to be finished? Did you plant something that has yet to be harvested? Did you make a promise that you need to fulfill? Get your house in order before you go into battle. Finish what you started, and be true to your word.

“Then the officers will also say, ‘Is anyone here afraid or worried? If you are, you may go home before you frighten anyone else.’ When the officers have finished speaking to their troops, they will appoint the unit commanders.” – Deuteronomy 20:8-9

DO NOT BE AFRAID; YOU WILL MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY!

Often fear gets in our way of stepping into opportunities. When given the choice to return to safety or be used by God on the battlefield, how will we respond? What will it take for us to let go of worry, push away fear, and step into our purpose? What unfinished business do we need to settle in order to experience victory? May the Spirit speak to you through the words of Psalm 91 today:

Those who live in the shelter of the Most High
will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
This I declare about the Lord:
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
He is my God, and I trust him.
For he will rescue you from every trap
and protect you from deadly disease.
He will cover you with his feathers.
He will shelter you with his wings.
His faithful promises are your armor and protection.
Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night,
nor the arrow that flies in the day.
Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness,
nor the disaster that strikes at midday.
Though a thousand fall at your side,
though ten thousand are dying around you,
these evils will not touch you.
Just open your eyes, and see how the wicked are punished.

If you make the Lord your refuge,
if you make the Most High your shelter,
no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home.
For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go.
They will hold you up with their hands
so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.
You will trample upon lions and cobras;
you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!

The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me.
I will protect those who trust in my name.
When they call on me, I will answer;
I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them.
I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.” — Psalm 91

Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 13–17; Psalm 134

Have you ever sliced a pie and then eyed the piece you want for yourself? Have you ever looked at the cake and thought – I want the piece with the most icing? Have you ever rushed to the front of the potluck line to get your pick of the food before the best is gone? Have you ever had a “me first” attitude, or an “every man for himself” spirit?

FROM A ME-FIRST MENTALITY TO A GOD-FIRST PASSION

In Deuteronomy, we can see that God is calling His people from a “me-first” mentality to a “God-first” passion. The words of Moses to God’s people as they were entering the Promised Land hold great advice for us today. By studying Moses’ instructions to the Israelites, we increase our understanding of the holiness to which God has called us. Moses starts by calling God’s people to obedience and love.

“Be careful to obey all my commands, so that all will go well with you and your children after you, because you will be doing what is good and pleasing to the Lord your God.” – Deuteronomy 12:28

Do not follow the example of the world and its ways; do not follow their customs or inquire about their gods. You have been set apart as holy and God has chosen you as His own special treasure (14:2,21b). There will be those who will try to lead you away from your walk with God. They will try to talk you out of doing all that the Lord your God has commanded you to do. Do not give in or listen to them.

“The Lord your God is testing you to see if you truly love Him with all your heart and soul. Serve only the Lord your God and fear Him alone. Obey His commands, listen to His voice, and cling to Him.” – Deuteronomy 13:3b-4

And here is Moses’ advice to those in leadership – to the king or the one the Lord chooses to lead His people: Do not store up wealth for yourself. Do not build up a large stable of horses for yourself or take many wives for yourself, or accumulate large amounts of wealth in silver and gold.

FROM A MORE-STUFF LIFESTYLE TO A MORE-GOD PURSUIT

Your focus should be on God’s word. Keep a copy with you and read it daily as long as you live. Then you will learn to fear the Lord by obeying all His instructions and decrees. This regular reading of God’s word will prevent you from becoming proud and acting as if you are above those God has given you the privilege of leading (Deuteronomy 17:15-20).

In fact, it is your responsibility to take care of the church and of those who are less fortunate – the poor, the widows, the orphans and the foreigners. If you truly love the God you are serving, you will serve those He calls you to serve; you will share your blessings with those in need.

“Give generously to the poor, not grudgingly, for the Lord your God will bless you in everything you do. There will always be some in the land who are poor. That is why I am commanding you to share freely with the poor and with other Israelites in need.” – Deuteronomy 15:10-11

So, before you slice the pie and enjoy what God has blessed you with, give God His portion and share generously with those in need. Then you can enjoy what God has given you.

Father God, thank you for your words of wisdom for us today. As we sit in your presence and drink from your cup, fill our hearts with a spirit of generosity that we may think of others more than we think of ourselves. May our love for you increase and pour out toward others. Whatever you have called us to do, whatever land you have laid out before us, remind us that our calling is still about you and not about us.

Lord, we love you and it is our heart’s cry to obey and please you in all that we do. We give today to you, recognizing that this day was first given to us by you. Show us the needs of those around us and give us opportunities today to bless others with the blessings you have given us.

Praise the Lord, all you servants of the Lord
who minister by night in the house of the Lord.
Lift up your hands in the sanctuary
and praise the Lord.
May the Lord bless you from Zion,
he who is the Maker of heaven and earth. — Psalm 134

Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 11-12; Psalm 146

“See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse — the blessing if you obey the commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you today; the curse if you disobey the commands of the Lord your God and turn from the way that I command you today by following other gods, which you have not known.” — Deuteronomy 11:26-28

GOD’S PEOPLE DID AND STILL DO HAVE A CHOICE TO MAKE.

God is not forcing us to obey and follow the life He has prepared for us, but He does want us to know what is available to us. God gives clarity to what our choices are. He longs for us to receive His blessings and choose life, but He gives us the opportunity to make our own decision, even if that means we choose death. God knows that obedience is what will lead to our peace and joy, and He loves us enough to pursue our heart, while also giving us the freedom to make our own decision whether or not we will serve Him.

“Therefore, be careful to obey every command I am giving you today, so you may have strength to go in and take over the land you are about to enter. If you obey, you will enjoy a long life in the land the Lord swore to give to your ancestors and to you, their descendants—a land flowing with milk and honey! For the land you are about to enter and take over is not like the land of Egypt from which you came, where you planted your seed and made irrigation ditches with your foot as in a vegetable garden. Rather, the land you will soon take over is a land of hills and valleys with plenty of rain — a land that the Lord your God cares for. He watches over it through each season of the year!” — Deuteronomy 11:8-12

God knew the battles that were ahead of the Israelites; He knew they needed His strength to take over the land He had promised to them. He knew that if they obeyed him, they would enjoy a long and wonderful life in this place He was giving them. He was not promising there would never be difficulty. He reminded them they would have enemies and that there would be battles to fight, but He would be with them to protect and provide for them.

GOD WANTS TO WATCH OVER YOU AND FIGHT YOUR BATTLES, BUT YOU MUST CHOOSE HIM.

“If you carefully obey the commands I am giving you today, and if you love the Lord your God and serve him with all your heart and soul, then he will send the rains in their proper seasons—the early and late rains—so you can bring in your harvests of grain, new wine, and olive oil. He will give you lush pastureland for your livestock, and you yourselves will have all you want to eat.” — Deuteronomy 11:13-15

God was calling His people to relationship; He was calling them to a life where they would serve him with all their heart, and He would provide them with all they would need. But, if they chose to serve other gods, His jealous anger would burn against them and He would withdraw the rain. Without the rain there would be no harvest, and without the harvest, there would be no food. It was their choice to make, but they needed to be aware of the consequences that were attached to each option. God makes those same consequences clear to us in His word.

GOD IS CALLING US TO BE ALL IN — TO LOVE HIM AND SERVE HIM WITH ALL OUR HEART AND SOUL — SO THAT WE CAN LIVE IN RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM.

“So commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these words of mine. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Teach them to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, so that as long as the sky remains above the earth, you and your children may flourish in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors.” — Deuteronomy 11:18-21

ARE YOU ALL IN? HAVE YOU MADE YOUR DECISION?

Are you willing to serve God wholeheartedly? He is calling out to you, asking you to give Him everything. He wants your love for Him to be displayed in the way you serve only Him — for your decision to be evident in the choices you make each day. Show your love for God by walking in His ways and holding tight to Him (11:22).

The way of the godly leads to life; that path does not lead to death. — Proverbs 12:28

But joyful are those who have the God of Israel as their helper,
whose hope is in the Lord their God.
He made heaven and earth,
the sea, and everything in them.
He keeps every promise forever.
He gives justice to the oppressed
and food to the hungry.
The Lord frees the prisoners.
The Lord opens the eyes of the blind.
The Lord lifts up those who are weighed down.
The Lord loves the godly.
The Lord protects the foreigners among us.
He cares for the orphans and widows,
but he frustrates the plans of the wicked. – Psalm 146:5-9