Today’s Reading: Joshua 9–24

Now that the sin was confessed and taken care of, God renewed His covenant and helped the Israelites find victory of 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. They made a decision and entered into a peace treaty with the Gibeonites without consulting the Lord (9:14). Their foolishness, like that of Achan’s, reaped negative consequences.

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. And He will listen! He does not want us to live in fear, but in faith. God repeats His Joshua 1:9 instructions in Joshua 10:25, 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

When five Amorite kings united in hopes to attack Gibeon and defeat Israel, the Lord confirmed to Joshua that he would give them victory. They called on God and He listened to them.

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.

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

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, I will PROBABLY…” Not, “Yes, I MIGHT…”

Thank you for your faithfulness and your daily presence in our lives – for this incredible RELATIONSHIP. Lord, cause our love for you to grow so that our hearts naturally desire to obey you, to trust you, to follow you. Help us to be content with what you have provided. Today we choose to serve you and you only. Today we say an unqualified YES to you!

Today’s Reading: Joshua 7-8, Psalm 78

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. The agreement was that the people of Israel would obey God out of love for Him and He would be with them and bless them. If they chose disobedience, there would be curses instead.

After their victory at Jericho, God gave specific instructions not to take any of the things from Jericho but to destroy everything. 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 instead of 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 we watch others go through. 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.

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. As the apostle Paul described it, “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. He pulls us from the grave of our sin and walks us through a gateway of hope. Thank you, God, for your undeserved blessings. You are so generous to us.

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

Today’s Reading: Joshua 3–6, Psalm 118

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

– Be strong and courageous, I am with you
– Be obedient

Joshua’s faith and obedience were tested in the first city they came to. 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).

The Lord told Joshua, “Today I will begin to make you a great leader in the eyes of 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

TEST #1

The Jordan River was at flood stage and, in order to follow God, Joshua had to cross the Jordan. FEAR OR FAITH? God gave Joshua very clear instructions and told him to obey with strength and courage. They were to step into the rushing waters with confidence in the Lord. 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 experienced many AMAZING things just as God had promised (Joshua 3:15-17).

TEST #2

Jericho was “tightly shut up” and God gave Joshua specific instructions. They were to march around the town once a day for six days. God’s people were told to not say a word until they were given the instruction. This was not a sneak attack but rather a 6-day display in front of their enemies. FEAR OR FAITH? They chose to be patient and obey, and they experienced AMAZING things (6:2-20). 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? We have a choice – FEAR OR FAITH. What will it be? When moments appear today that are obviously God-ordained appointments, let’s step forward in faith and obedience. Let’s be strong and VERY courageous!

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. – Psalm 118:5-6a

Today’s reading: Joshua 1-2, 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.

Moses was now gone and Joshua heard from God firsthand, 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.

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 1:2-9

That last verse is one of my daughter’s favorite verses. She learned it at a very young age in bible quizzing and often wrote it on her mirror or spoke it out loud to remind herself of God’s words to Joshua: “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).

My daughter was a risk-taker at a young age, loving the idea of adventure and fun, but she also has to overcome fear. 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.

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

I am guessing Joshua knows 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. Let’s take time to pray the words of Psalm 46.

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. (Psalm 46:1-2,10a)

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

Today we finish up the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible). The last 5 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.

“When you go out to fight your enemies and face horses and chariots and an army greater than your own, do not be afraid. The Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, is with you.” – Deuteronomy 20:1

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

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.” – Deut. 31:23

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 and teach the people 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! – Deut. 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. 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.

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. – Deut. 34:10-12

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.

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’s Reading: Deuteronomy 27-30

“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

LOVE & OBEDIENCE

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.

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. 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? God’s commands provide the boundaries for the path He calls us to walk.

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

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 today 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.

“This command I am giving you today is not too difficult for you to understand, and it is not beyond your reach…No, the message is very close at hand; it is on your lips and in your heart so that you can obey it.

“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.” – Deut. 30:11-20

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.

Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 18–26

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 Israel and live in slavery instead of being attacked and killed.

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.” – Deut. 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 (Deut. 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 (Deut. 26:2,10-11, 13).

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 others.

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.

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

Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 12–17

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.” – Deut. 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 (Deut. 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 – sharing 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.” – Deut. 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.

Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 9–11

It is because of God’s grace that the people of Israel experienced victory over their enemies, not because of their own righteousness. It is because of God’s undeserved favor in our lives that we experience His blessings, not because of anything we have done to earn His love. I am overwhelmed with gratitude this morning that God crosses over ahead of us, that He allows us to experience His presence, that He sets out a road for us to follow. I will choose to love Him, serve Him and obey Him.

“..But recognize today that the Lord your God is the one who will cross over ahead of you like a devouring fire…Don’t say in your hearts, ‘The Lord has given us this land because we are such good people!’ No…it is not because you are so good or have such integrity…You must recognize that the Lord your God is not giving you this land because you are good, for you are not – you are a stubborn people.” – Deut. 9:3-6

So now Israel, what do you think God expects from you? Just this: LIVE IN HIS PRESENCE in holy reverence, follow the road he sets out for you, love him, serve God, your God, with everything you have in you, obey the commandments and regulations of God that I’m commanding you today—live a good life.

Look around you: Everything you see is God’s—the heavens above and beyond, the Earth, and everything on it. But it was your ancestors who God fell in love with; he picked their children—that’s you!—out of all the other peoples. That’s where we are right now. So cut away the thick calluses from your heart and stop being so willfully hardheaded. God, your God, is the God of all gods, he’s the Master of all masters, a God immense and powerful and awesome. He doesn’t play favorites, takes no bribes, makes sure orphans and widows are treated fairly, takes loving care of foreigners by seeing that they get food and clothing.

You must treat foreigners with the same loving care—
remember, you were once foreigners in Egypt.
Reverently respect God, your God, serve him, hold tight to him, back up your promises with the authority of his name.
He’s your praise! He’s your God!
He did all these tremendous, these staggering things
that you saw with your own eyes.
When your ancestors entered Egypt, they numbered a mere seventy souls. And now look at you—you look more like the stars in the night skies in number. And your God did it. – Deuteronomy 10:12-17 (The Message)

Father God, I cannot help but laugh out loud at your goodness! My heart is overflowing with all you have done! Thank you for being a generous God, even when we fail and struggle. Lord, thank you for the privilege to be called to holiness, to be set apart for your glory and for your excellence. We feast in your presence this morning as we rejoice in all you have accomplished! Fill us with your strength and your righteousness today, we pray.

Lord, we take this time to pray for our country. We know we are not a nation that deserves your blessings. Please forgive us for our hardheadedness and cut away our thick calluses. Help us to find a balance between protecting our freedoms and protecting our country. Help us to always be a refuge for those in need, to be compassionate towards ALL people. You are a God immense and powerful and awesome, taking loving care of all your children. Give us hearts that extend that same love to one another, treating foreigners with the same loving care we receive from you. Amen.

Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 6-8, Psalm 77

“Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves WHOLEHEARTEDLY to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again 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. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” – Deuteronomy 6:4-9

Moses continued his farewell speech to the Israelites by encouraging them to remember how the Lord had rescued them. He told them to fear the Lord and serve Him only, for God is a jealous God and He desires for us to DILIGENTLY obey the His commands. He calls us to do what is right and good in His sight so that all will go well with us (Deut. 6:18).

Each January, our administrative team meets to look back over the past year. Together we remember ALL that God has done and all HE has accomplished. We celebrate God’s generosity and His grace over the ministry to which He has called us. We then look forward to the new year, asking God for His guidance and His blessing. We long to see His vision for this ministry – His plan in His time.

My husband and I are about to go through a new stage of life as our youngest leaves for college in the fall. As we reflect on the last 21 years of raising our three daughters, we see decisions we can feel really good about and also moments we would choose to do over if we could. Thankfully there are more memories to celebrate and less to regret.

Perhaps you have gone through this same process at the beginning of a new year or at the start of a new stage of your life. Perhaps you felt like the Israelites as they saw the mistakes they had made and the consequences of their decisions. There are probably moments to celebrate and memories to regret. Looking forward to what is ahead might have felt like getting a blank slate or a chance to start a new chapter of your life. God gives us moments like these to purposefully stand between what He has done for us and what He promises to do in the coming years — looking back and looking forward while praising God for every moment.

Moses was having a similar moment with God’s people as they stood between the wilderness and the promised land, looking back and looking forward. He told them their children would ask – Why do we do what we do? Why do we follow these traditions and rules? LET THEM HEAR THE STORIES. Make them aware of where God has brought us from and that we will be counted as righteous when we obey all God’s commands (Deut. 6:20-25).

“…Of all the people on earth, the Lord your God has chosen you to be his own special treasure… Understand, therefore, that the Lord your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who keeps his covenant for a thousand generations and lavishes his unfailing love on those who love him and obey his commands. But he does not hesitate to punish and destroy those who reject him.” – Deut. 7:6-10

You have seen it with your own eyes! God has led you — sometimes humbling you, sometimes testing you, but all the time teaching you. He has provided in order to teach you that people do not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. Your clothes have not worn out; your journey has been long but your feet are neither blistered nor swollen. Now praise the Lord for this good land He has given you. In the midst of your plenty, do not become proud and forget the source of all blessings. Don’t think you have achieved anything by your own strength and energy but remember that it is the Lord who gives you the power to be successful (Deut. 8).

Then I thought, “To this I will appeal: the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand.
I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”
Your ways, God, are holy. What god is as great as our God? You are the God who performs miracles;…
The waters saw you, God, the waters saw you and writhed; the very depths were convulsed.
The clouds poured down water, the heavens resounded with thunder; your arrows flashed back and forth. Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind, your lightning lit up the world; the earth trembled and quaked. Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen.
You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron. – Psalm 77:10-20