Faithful

Read Joshua 21

Not a word failed of any good thing which the Lord had spoken to the house of Israel.  All came to pass. Joshua 21:45

The Bible teaches us the character of God.  Last time we pondered God’s mercy over judgment.  This time we will consider God’s reliability.

Today’s verse is a good example.  God promised many things to the children of Israel.  All of them had come to pass.  Let’s review:

• God said He saw the plight of His people in Egypt.
• God said He would deliver them from the hand of Pharoh with many signs and wonders.
• God said they would leave Egypt with many treasures.
• God said He would lead them in the wilderness.
• God said he would provide for their needs, food, water, and clothing while in the wilderness.
• God said He would never leave nor forsake them.
• God said He would bring them into the Promised Land.
• God said He would subdue their enemies.
• God said He would spare the Israelites when they put blood on their doorposts at Passover.
• God swore to enlarge their territories.
• God said He would provide atonement for His land and His people.

Now after living forty years in the wilderness and who knows how many years taking over the Promised Land, the children of Israel were at rest.  God did all He promised.  Not one thing failed.  All came to pass.

This is a repeated theme in the rest of the Bible.  God said…He did it or will do it.  We can trust Him to do what He said.  God has proved Himself reliable throughout the Bible.  But His reliability doesn’t stop with His written word, it continues in the lives of those who trust Him.

God said I have loved you with an unending love.  God said though your sins may be as scarlet, I can make you white as snow.  God said if you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart, you will be saved.  God said there is no condemnation for those in Christ.  God said the old is gone and the new has come.

Talk with believers they will tell you how reliable God is.  They know what He did for them.  For me He took away years of bitterness and hardened heart and gave me a tend heart of love.  He took away my self-sufficiency so I would depend on Him.  He has lifted me up and placed me firmly on the foundation of Christ, never to be removed.  He purified me from all my unrighteousness.

God is reliable.  He is trustworthy.

Have you trusted Jesus Christ to save you yet?  Today is the Day of Salvation.  Put your trust in Jesus.  He will not let you down.

Lord Jesus, the One who was sinless yet died to pay for my sin, thank you for your reliability.  Help us to understand the depth of your trustworthiness.  Let us come to you boldly.  Fill us with your Spirit and lead us on the pathway of life.  In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

©Elizabeth Marks has led small group Bible studies for almost a decade.  Author of ThinkOnItBibleDevotions.com and BeingWomenOfInfluence.com websites she has a heart for encouraging others with God’s Word.

 

City of Refuge

Read Joshua 20

The God of mercy instructs His people to set aside certain cities to become places of refuge.  This way anyone who accidentally kills someone could go and live without fear that the dead person’s family would try to kill him.  They would live in that city until the high priest died.  After that they could go back to where ever they lived previously.

Did you notice this was for accidental death not for pre-meditated murder?  God has a heart for the innocent.  God wants justice to prevail.  His ways protect the innocent.

Why is it we tend to think the worst in others so readily?  We jump to conclusions and judge others without knowing all the facts.  I’m thankful God is the Just Judge.  He knows all things and can judge fairly.  His judgment is right.

When God says “all have sinned” He means everyone.  There is no one who is innocent and hasn’t sinned.  When God says “the wages of sin is death” He means death is only way to deal with sin.   Thankfully God is more than Just, for had He been just, we all would perish because of our sin.  God is merciful. He paid our sin debt through Jesus’ death on the cross.  His death cleared the charges against us.  So in His eyes we are innocent.

Now we live in a city of refuge.  Not an earthly city where we live only as long as the high priest.  But a heavenly city where the High Priest – Jesus Christ – lives forever and so do we!

God cancels our debt.  He covers us with His righteousness.  He ushers us into His kingdom to live forever with Him.  He did this not because we were innocent by our own efforts, but because of His mercy cancels our sin and makes us innocent by His actions.

Challenge Point:

God has shown you much mercy.  Who can you show mercy to rather than judgment today?

How can you demonstrate mercy towards this person?

Father of mercies, thank you for your righteous judgment.  Thank you for paying our sin debt for us.  Enable us now to walk in the new life in Christ and demonstrate your mercy towards our fellow neighbors. In Jesus’ name we pray Amen.

©Elizabeth Marks has led small group Bible studies for almost a decade.  Author of ThinkOnItBibleDevotions.com and BeingWomenOfInfluence.com websites she has a heart for encouraging others with God’s Word.

Take Possession of What is Yours

Read Joshua 18

How long will you neglect to go and possess the land which the Lord God of your fathers has given you?

While we may not be the children of Israel, there are lessons we can learn from their experience and interaction with God.

God said the land was theirs.  It was a done deal.  God gave it to them and it was theirs. Can you think of something God has given you?

The children of Israel had to go possess the land.  They had to fight for it.  They had to conquer the land and the people who lived there, in order to receive the land.  Was there a time you had to put forth much effort to claim victory?

The Bible doesn’t tell us how long the tribe of Benjamin waited to take the land, but it is obvious they procrastinated. Is there anything you are putting off that God wants you to pursue?

Indecision caused the children of Israel to live by a lesser standard.  In other words, God had a grand plan but they chose a lesser path.  They settled for second best over God’s best.  Where have you preferred second best instead of God’s best?

Delay and failure to move caused the tribe of Benjamin to loose sight of God.  Have you been consumed with worldly stuff that you lost sight of God?

Let’s review.  When God says something He means it.  We can count on it for sure.  This should give us confidence.  When God tells us to do something, we are responsible to act.  It may require extreme effort, but by remembering who is for us, we can do it.  Procrastination will not further God’s plan in our life.  Indecision leads us away from God’s plan.  Delay and failure to act is a symptom of lack of faith.  If we believer God, we will be energized to act.

Lord, thank you for giving us so much.  Help us to live holy and pleasing lives before you.  Teach us to take possess of what has already been given to us.  In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

©Elizabeth Marks has led small group Bible studies for almost a decade.  Author of ThinkOnItBibleDevotions.com and BeingWomenOfInfluence.com websites she has a heart for encouraging others with God’s Word.

A Father’s Love

Read Joshua 15

This section of Scripture shows us the love of a father.  Watch Caleb. See how he deals with his daughter and you will see how God deals with us too.

Caleb, as you recall, was one of the God following spies.  He believed God and knew they could accomplish where ever God set out for them.  Caleb had a daughter.  We don’t know much about her, but we know her father loved her.

Caleb, a God-fearing warrior, issued a decree: Anyone who takes the city will win the hand of my daughter. From our perspective in this day and age, we might be repulsed by this.  How could he give his daughter to a stranger?  But hold on let’s look at from another perspective.

This actually shows how caring Caleb is towards his daughter.  He is not giving her away to just anyone.  No, he wants the best, strongest, capable man to win her.  He wants his daughter to be safe, provided for and protected from enemies.  What better person than someone able to fight and conquer the land God gave them? So Caleb sought a good match for his beloved daughter.  It turned out not to be a stranger after all.  It was his nephew who won her. Just to show you how much Caleb loved his daughter, he also gave her the upper and lower springs she asked for.  You see, he wanted her to prosper as well as live in safety.

This story seems like a picture of what God does with us.  Where have we neglected, rejected or overlooked God’s blessings?

Lord our God, you shower us with your love.  You are constantly caring for our needs.  Open our eyes to your blessings.  May we never forget how wonderful you are.  In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

©Elizabeth Marks has led small group Bible studies for almost a decade.  Author of ThinkOnItBibleDevotions.com and BeingWomenOfInfluence.com websites she has a heart for encouraging others with God’s Word.

Power on Our Side

Read Joshua 10

Five different kings all formed an alliance against the children of Israel.  The Lord tells Joshua, “Do not fear them for I have delivered them into your hand; not a man of them shall stand before you.”  Talk about encouragement.  God basically says don’t worry about how many come against you, I’ve got it covered.

Joshua and the mighty men marched all night to get to the battle.  Can you imagine how tired they would have been?  They didn’t sleep, but marched all night!  However, the Lord was working on their behalf. As the children of Israel marched, the Lord routed the enemy before them.  He killed them, chased them, and struck them down.  Some tried to flee but the Lord cast down large hail stones so much that more died from the hail than by the sword.

So as Joshua prepares for battle, he asks God not to let the sun do gown until they get their revenge.  What happens? The sun stood still about a day, that meant Joshua and his men had two days of daylight to battle.  The result, Joshua and his men were able to capture Makkedah, Libnah, Lachish, Geqer, Eglon, Hebron and Debir in only two days time!  The Bible doesn’t tell us how many people were in those seven cities, but we can assume there were many.  For Joshua and team to take that many cities in only two days would have been quite a feat. God showed Himself mighty before Joshua and his men had to fight. It’s as if God says “remember what I can do.  All this power is on your side.”

When was the last time you felt surrounded by enemies?  Do not fear, but draw close to God.  He will direct your path and show you the way out. Our God is mighty and can do whatever it takes to deliver you.  Rely on Him and you can’t go wrong.

Lord Jesus, you are the way, the truth and the life.  Thank you for saving us and putting our feet on solid foundation.  Your righteous right hand will uphold us.  Help us to remember you are with us and will deliver us as we continue to be steadfast in You. In your name we pray. Amen.

©Elizabeth Marks has led small group Bible studies for almost a decade.  Author of ThinkOnItBibleDevotions.com and BeingWomenOfInfluence.com websites she has a heart for encouraging others with God’s Word.

Wise or Foolish

Read Joshua 9

After victory by God’s hand at Ai, Joshua and men of Israel are faced with Gibeon and the Hivites who heard of Israel’s destruction at Ai. These people pretended to be ambassadors from a far away country to save their lives.  It worked too, because Joshua and men of Israel did not consult the Lord.

Remember in Chapter 7, Joshua didn’t consult the Lord but listened to the spies’ advice instead.  They were defeated.  After seeking God he discovers the people sinned and only after dealing with the sin were they able to take Ai.

Have you ever been taken in or deceived by someone claiming to be Christian? Just because someone uses the Lord’s name doesn’t mean they can be trusted.  We still need to consult the Lord on the matter, else we wind up deceived and possibly derailed from God’s plan.

We were deceived by a so-called Christian.  She was a single mother with a teenage son, who apparently went to our church.  Wanting to help, we rented our condo to her.  But like Joshua, we didn’t consult the Lord first.  Instead we allowed our heart-strings to be manipulated into making an unwise decision. After dealing with many late payments and repairs, it was clear to us we made a mistake.  It took almost two years to evict her and the damage left behind was more than we thought possible.

God calls us to be wise as serpents and gentle as doves.  We can’t be wise if we don’t seek the Wise One, who knows everything from beginning to end.

In the second part of the story Joshua makes a foolish oath.  He enters into a peace treaty with those who deceived him.  And since he had sworn to them by the Lord God of Israel they couldn’t touch them once they found out who they really were.

God’s original plan was extermination of those people, so Israel could take the land.  Now, His own people were fooled and made an oath not to harm the ones they should have destroyed.  Rather than break their oath, they allowed these people to become servants.  Israel failed to carry out God’s plan and substituted their own plan instead.  God never wanted these people alive, let alone living close to His chosen people. Israel upheld a foolish oath made under false pretense rather than carrying out God’s plan.

Do you see how they made matters worse?  Those who deceived would live closely, only to be a constant temptation to be deceived again. One wrong choice leads to another.  We shall see what other consequences Israel had to live with as we read on.

What poor choices have you made? What consequences are you living with because of the poor choice?

Has it taught you to seek the Lord the next time?

Lord, you alone are wise.  Help us to seek you in all things and not depend on our own understanding. May we make godly decisions aligned with your will. Thank you for your mercy and forgiveness to free us from our past mistakes. We are eternally grateful.  In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

©Elizabeth Marks has led small group Bible studies for almost a decade.  Author of ThinkOnItBibleDevotions.com and BeingWomenOfInfluence.com websites she has a heart for encouraging others with God’s Word.

Repeated Pattern

Read Joshua 8

To fully appreciate what’s happening in chapter 8 you might need to revisit chapters 6 and 7.  Here’s a quick recap.

Chapter 6 – The children of Israel took Jericho following God’s strange instructions.  Everything was to be burned except the silver, gold and iron items were for the Lord’s treasury.  But one man kept some beautiful garments, silver and gold for himself.

Chapter 7 – The children of Israel came to Ai and decided to spy it out like they did in the past.  The spies said it would be easy and only needed a few men to take the city.  Joshua listened to men, without consulting the Lord. They were defeated.  Joshua cries out to the Lord.  But God says get up the people sinned. Sanctify them.  So they had to deal with the sin by putting to death those that sinned.

Chapter 8 – The Lord gives Joshua the plan.  They get to keep the spoil this time.  The Lord is with Joshua every step of the way.  Following God’s instructions they take Ai and the booty.  Joshua builds an alter to the Lord and writes God’s Law on the stones.  He also reads the whole law to the people.

As you read these chapters over several days, and reread them, you might discover as I did a process emerge.  Obedience, false confidence, failure, obedience pattern is repeated through out the Bible.  It’s not just these three chapters.  Take David for example he’s known as a man after God’s own heart, yet he committed murder and adultery.  Take Peter, so sure he was ready to die for the Lord, yet moments later he finds himself denying the Lord three times.  Take Saul as another example, he was overly zealous as a Pharisee that he persecuted Jesus’ followers, until he was knocked off his horse by the Lord.  We see it again and again.

Have you noticed this pattern happens in your own life? We can become secure and confident in our relationship with the Lord, we may start to think we know the way.  We slowly start doing things on our power rather than consulting the Lord.  Sadly, that leads us back into bondage of sin and failure.

How do we break that pattern?  By remembering who we are and what Jesus Christ has done for us.  We need to examine our thoughts and motives and make them obedient to Christ.  If you’re not able to spot sin in your life, it might be time to ask the Lord to help you see the truth.  For if we say we are without sin, we make God out to be a liar.  For the Good Word tells us “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

Lord Jesus, thank you for saving us from our sin and paying the penalty for us.  Help us to stay on track with you and accept your truth. You are faithful and just to cleanse us from all unrighteousness when we confess our sins to you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

©Elizabeth Marks has led small group Bible studies for almost a decade.  Author of ThinkOnItBibleDevotions.com and BeingWomenOfInfluence.com websites she has a heart for encouraging others with God’s Word.

Hidden Sin

Read Joshua 7

The children of Israel had just taken Jericho by the mighty hand of God.  They were not supposed to take anything for themselves.  All the gold, silver and iron things would be put into the Lord’s treasury.  Everything else was to be burned.  However, one man decided to take some beautiful garments, gold and silver for himself.  He didn’t think anyone would notice.  He was wrong.  God saw.

Fast forward, the children of Israel come to the next city they were to take.  Joshua does what he did before; he sent spies into the city.  The spies returned saying it would be easy the enemy has few men.  So they sent only a few of their own men to take over, but they were defeated.

Joshua cries out to the Lord, but God tells him “Why do you cry out?  Get up! The people have sinned against me.”   The Bible tells us all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).  The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).  A little leaven, affects the whole lump (Galatians 5:9). Sin must be dealt with promptly or it will affect everyone.

After the victory of Jericho, Joshua became complacent.  He knew the Lord was with him.  When he came to the next city to overthrow, he thought about what he had done in a previous situation.  He approached this new situation using tools from a previous situation.  In other words, he thought he knew how to handle this one in his own power.  The Bible doesn’t say whether Joshua consulted the Lord on how to take this city.  It only mentions, they sent spies, and Joshua listened to the spies’ advice.

The Lord handles each situation uniquely.  While two situations may seem like they could be handled the same way, the details show otherwise.  Joshua assumed they would victorious by repeating what worked before.  However, something was different.  Israel sinned.  They transgressed the Lord’s covenant.  As a result, they were defeated shamefully.  Until sin is dealt with, no success will follow.

We, too, can get out of sync with the Lord by trying what we’ve done before.  What are you trying to handle on your own apart from God?  What sin is still in your life that you haven’t given up to the Lord?  The Bible tells us “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us” (1 John 1:8-10).

Lord, thank you for being faithful and just to forgive our sin when we confess it.  Open our eyes to places in our hearts, our attitudes and our behavior that are displeasing to you, that we may confess them and forsake them.  Give us the courage to deal with our sin that we may be forgiven and cleansed from all unrighteousness.  In Jesus’ precious name we come. Amen.

©Elizabeth Marks has led small group Bible studies for almost a decade.  Author of ThinkOnItBibleDevotions.com and BeingWomenOfInfluence.com websites she has a heart for encouraging others with God’s Word.

Strange Directions

Read Joshua 6

Joshua had been visited by the Commander of the Lord’s army who gave him some pretty ridiculous sounding directions for taking the city of Jericho.  But Joshua did not laugh at the instructions.  Instead he followed them exactly.

You probably heard this story before.  Joshua was told to take seven priests blowing trumpets, the Ark of the Covenant and all the children of Israel and march around the city once on the first day.  They were to do that for six days straight.  On the seventh day, they were to march around the city seven times, shout a loud shout at the sound of one long blast from the trumpets.  Then the walls of Jericho would fall.  Sounds silly doesn’t it?

God gave these instructions to Joshua.  He could have said, “No way, that’s ridiculous”, but he didn’t.  He obeyed the strange instructions, gathering the people and gave them the message from the Lord.  Joshua also made sure the people followed the instructions as well.  He led them.  They followed him.  In this the people were obedient.

We can trust God too.  When He says He will do something, you can rest assured He will do it.  Joshua understood this.  When the Lord says all you have to do is march around the city and the walls will fall, it happened just as He said it would.  God enables us to do what He desires, but we still have to choose to follow Him.  Like the people choose to follow Joshua.

Joshua saw what God could do.  He heard what God would do.  He aligned his will to God’s plan.  He acted on it.  God showed up in a mighty way.

What has God done for you already? What has God spoken to you? What have you put off that you know God told you to do?

Nothing is impossible with God.  All things are possible with God.  God has a plan.  We are part of it if we choose to be.  God speaks to His children, if they choose to hear Him.  God moves in His children’s lives if they choose to let Him.

Lord, thank you for being a God of your Word.  You are trustworthy.  Thank you for showing up and doing exactly what you said you would do.  Help us to trust you more with each day.  Enable us to align our will with your plan.  In Jesus’ name Amen.

©Elizabeth Marks has led small group Bible studies for almost a decade.  Author of ThinkOnItBibleDevotions.com and BeingWomenOfInfluence.com websites she has a heart for encouraging others with God’s Word.

Supreme Authority

Read Joshua 5

There is much going on in chapter 5 of Joshua.  God goes before the children of Israel and causes their enemies to melt with fear.  The children of Israel recommit themselves to the Lord through outward expression of circumcision.  God’s provision continues through the fruit of the land He had given them, so the heavenly manna stops.  Joshua gets a visit from the Commander of the Lord’s army.

When the Lord appeared to Joshua as the Commander of the Lord’s army, He told Joshua to take off his sandal for this is holy ground.  This seems similar to what Moses experienced at the burning bush.  Where the Lord is, it is holy.

God appeared as Commander of the Lord’s army at the time when the children of Israel were getting ready to take Jericho.  Joshua sees a man with a drawn sword.  He asks are you for us or against us?  The Lord says no and doesn’t answer Joshua’s question.  Instead He says He is the Commander of the Lord’s army.  Immediately, Joshua knew his place, in subjection to the Commanding Officer.  He knew the authority this Commander had.  He humbled himself and waited for direction.  He recognized the Commander as the Lord, fell to the ground in worship, and offered himself as a servant.

When the Lord visits you know it is Him.  Where the Lord is it is holy ground.

Have you come to the place of recognizing the Lord Almighty’s authority in your life?  Are there any areas of your life that are off limits for the Lord?  Are you willing to submit yourself to the supreme authority and Lord?  The Word says “Humble yourself before the Lord and He will lift you up” (James 4:10).

Lord you reign on heaven, on earth and in our hearts.  You have supreme authority over us and in us.  Help us come to the place of humble submission to you.  We are your servants.  In Jesus’ name Amen.

©Elizabeth Marks has led small group Bible studies for almost a decade.  Author of ThinkOnItBibleDevotions.com and BeingWomenOfInfluence.com websites she has a heart for encouraging others with God’s Word.