Category: “Listening to God” Devotional

Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Joshua+016

 

Joshua Chapter 16 (ESV)

The Allotment for Ephraim and Manasseh

¹ The allotment of the people of Joseph went from the Jordan by Jericho, east of the waters of Jericho, into the wilderness, going up from Jericho into the hill country to Bethel.² Then going from Bethel to Luz, it passes along to Ataroth, the territory of the Archites. ³ Then it goes down westward to the territory of the Japhletites, as far as the territory of Lower Beth-horon, then to Gezer, and it ends at the sea.

⁴ The people of Joseph, Manasseh and Ephraim, received their inheritance.

⁵ The territory of the people of Ephraim by their clans was as follows: the boundary of their inheritance on the east was Ataroth-addar as far as Upper Beth-horon, ⁶ and the boundary goes from there to the sea. On the north is Michmethath. Then on the east the boundary turns around toward Taanath-shiloh and passes along beyond it on the east to Janoah, ⁷ then it goes down from Janoah to Ataroth and to Naarah, and touches Jericho, ending at the Jordan. ⁸ From Tappuah the boundary goes westward to the brook Kanah and ends at the sea. Such is the inheritance of the tribe of the people of Ephraim by their clans, ⁹ together with the towns that were set apart for the people of Ephraim within the inheritance of the Manassites, all those towns with their villages.¹⁰ However, they did not drive out the Canaanites who lived in Gezer, so the Canaanites have lived in the midst of Ephraim to this day but have been made to do forced labor.

 

REFLECTION:

• God has commanded the Israelites to drive out all Canaanites when they capture the cities, and they must not let Canaanites live among them. However out of convenience and for their own personal benefit, the Ephraims are already disobeying God’s order. At the time it may appeared to be trivial, but as we will find out, this causes big problem for the Ephraims and all of Israel down the road.
• Were there times when out of your own interest or simply for your own convenience, you disobeyed what the Lord has commanded you? Do you also overlook ‘trivial’ things and choose to disobey God?
• Repent and confess the times when you rebelled and disobeyed God. Ask for God’s forgiveness.

 

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, I pray that You examine me and know my thoughts, test me and know my intentions. Look within me and reveal if there are any wicked ways. I ask for Your guidance to walk on the path of eternal life. I often find myself, like the Israelites of the tribe of Ephraim, rebelling and opposing You in seemingly insignificant matters, driven by personal convenience and self-interest. Today, I sincerely repent before You and seek Your forgiveness for my sins. Illuminate me, so that I may remember the lesson that even a thousand-mile dike can collapse due to ant holes. I deeply understand that You have chosen me to be holy and blameless in Your presence. I pray that You brighten my eyes, fixing them only on the heavenly glory that belongs to You. May my ears be attentive, hearing Your call amidst the noise of the world. Cleanse my soul, so that my thoughts and intentions may be as pure as lilies in a secluded valley, peacefully blooming before You. Grant me deeper wisdom to recognize Your marvelous works in the passing of time. Give me a steadfast, loving, and obedient heart so that in both small and great matters, I may remain faithful to You. Whether it is on Sundays in the church or on weekdays at home or in the workplace, may I live out Your holiness, shining like a light, and manifesting the path of Your life. Amen!

 

HYMN:

Search Me, O God – youtu.be/k-6eh1fpYfg

 

Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Joshua+015

 

Joshua Chapter 15 (ESV)

The Allotment for Judah

¹The allotment for the tribe of the people of Judah according to their clans reached southward to the boundary of Edom, to the wilderness of Zin at the farthest south. ² And their south boundary ran from the end of the Salt Sea, from the bay that faces southward. ³ It goes out southward of the ascent of Akrabbim, passes along to Zin, and goes up south of Kadesh-barnea, along by Hezron, up to Addar, turns about to Karka, ⁴ passes along to Azmon, goes out by the Brook of Egypt, and comes to its end at the sea. This shall be your south boundary. ⁵ And the east boundary is the Salt Sea, to the mouth of the Jordan. And the boundary on the north side runs from the bay of the sea at the mouth of the Jordan. ⁶ And the boundary goes up to Beth-hoglah and passes along north of Beth-arabah. And the boundary goes up to the stone of Bohan the son of Reuben. ⁷ And the boundary goes up to Debir from the Valley of Achor, and so northward, turning toward Gilgal, which is opposite the ascent of Adummim, which is on the south side of the valley. And the boundary passes along to the waters of En-shemesh and ends at En-rogel. ⁸ Then the boundary goes up by the Valley of the Son of Hinnom at the southern shoulder of the Jebusite (that is, Jerusalem). And the boundary goes up to the top of the mountain that lies over against the Valley of Hinnom, on the west, at the northern end of the Valley of Rephaim. ⁹ Then the boundary extends from the top of the mountain to the spring of the waters of Nephtoah, and from there to the cities of Mount Ephron. Then the boundary bends around to Baalah (that is, Kiriath-jearim). ¹⁰ And the boundary circles west of Baalah to Mount Seir, passes along to the northern shoulder of Mount Jearim (that is, Chesalon), and goes down to Beth-shemesh and passes along by Timnah. ¹¹ The boundary goes out to the shoulder of the hill north of Ekron, then the boundary bends around to Shikkeron and passes along to Mount Baalah and goes out to Jabneel. Then the boundary comes to an end at the sea. ¹² And the west boundary was the Great Sea with its coastline. This is the boundary around the people of Judah according to their clans.

 

REFLECTION:

• Judah was the southernmost tribe west of the Jordan. Caleb’s family and the Simeonites lived within Judah’s territory. The boundaries of the whole tribal territory was recorded first. The description proceeds counter clockwise from south (vv. 2-4) to east (v. 5) to north (vv. 5-11) to west (v. 12).
• The multitudes of the Judah tribe living in this vast area would be responsible for cultivating, planting and irrigating in order to have grain, trees and orchard. Every area has its riches and its hardship. It is through their diligent cultivating and harvesting, that the Land of Milk and Honey will appear.
• For in faithfully obeying God’s commands to them, the Israelites will be blessed by God as He has promised.

 

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, I thank You for granting me a diverse and colorful life, enabling me to understand how to navigate poverty and abundance. I am grateful that You have taught me diligence through the history of the division of land among the tribe of Judah. The land they received was initially barren and unproductive, but through diligent cultivating, planting and irrigating, it eventually became a “land flowing with milk and honey.” Today, Your promise to us remains the same. You promise us an abundant life, but not necessarily a smooth and prosperous one. You want to ignite a spirit of perseverance within us through the difficulties and hardships we encounter. You want to cultivate resilience of character through our failures and setbacks, so that we may experience Your presence. Heavenly Father, I do not ask for a life of abundance and comfort, but I ask that You mold my life. I pray that You guard my heart and thoughts, so that in adversity, I will not lose my gratitude and reverence for You, and in times of smooth sailing, my heart will not be filled with pride and greed, causing me to forget Your commandments. Heavenly Father, I ask that You make me more diligent and courageous, and help me fulfill the responsibilities I have in this world. Whether it is in the church, the workplace, the family, or any other place, may I be a beautiful testimony for You. Amen!

 

HYMN:

Praise to the Lord the Almighty – youtu.be/G-a5OKFHpsA

 

Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Joshua+014

 

Joshua Chapter 14 (ESV)

Caleb’s Request and Inheritance

⁶ Then the people of Judah came to Joshua at Gilgal. And Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him, “You know what the Lord said to Moses the man of God in Kadesh-barnea concerning you and me. ⁷ I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadesh-barnea to spy out the land, and I brought him word again as it was in my heart. ⁸ But my brothers who went up with me made the heart of the people melt; yet I wholly followed the Lord my God. ⁹ And Moses swore on that day, saying, ‘Surely the land on which your foot has trodden shall be an inheritance for you and your children forever, because you have wholly followed the Lord my God.’ ¹⁰ And now, behold, the Lord has kept me alive, just as he said, these forty-five years since the time that the Lord spoke this word to Moses, while Israel walked in the wilderness. And now, behold, I am this day eighty-five years old. ¹¹ I am still as strong today as I was in the day that Moses sent me; my strength now is as my strength was then, for war and for going and coming. ¹² So now give me this hill country of which the Lord spoke on that day, for you heard on that day how the Anakim were there, with great fortified cities. It may be that the Lord will be with me, and I shall drive them out just as the Lord said.”

¹³ Then Joshua blessed him, and he gave Hebron to Caleb the son of Jephunneh for an inheritance. ¹⁴ Therefore Hebron became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite to this day, because he wholly followed the Lord, the God of Israel. ¹⁵ Now the name of Hebron formerly was Kiriath-arba. (Arba was the greatest man among the Anakim.) And the land had rest from war.

 

REFLECTION:

• Caleb was one of the 12 spies who had scouted Canaan some 45 years earlier (cf. Num 13-14). Only he and Joshua had urged Israel to trust God and invade Canaan then. Now, at 85, Caleb still actively trusted God. He asked for a parcel of land still occupied by an especially warlike people, the Anakites, and confidently said, “If God goes with me, I will drive them out, just as God said.” (v12, MSG)
• One of the gifts God gives to Christians today is the privilege of being in a church where the older folks were models of the kind of faith Caleb had. Too often we tend to segregate older believers from the young. Yet the young people in our church need to be exposed to godly older men and women.
• Caleb was still going strong at age 85. Will you be like him? What quality of his life do you want for yourself and your family? Are you or will you be a model for the younger Christians?

 

PRAYER:

Merciful Heavenly Father, I thank You for the special revelation You have given me today, helping me understand the honor of elderly believers in the church. They are precious gifts You have bestowed upon the church, possessing abundant life experiences and profound wisdom. Regardless of the length of time they have been Your people, they are recipients of Your great grace. Their lives resemble autumn flowers that bloom late or plum blossoms that bravely endure frost and snow, emitting a serene fragrance. Today, I specifically intercede on behalf of the elderly brothers and sisters in the church, asking for Your blessings upon each and every one of them. May they become strong and vibrant spiritual examples for the younger brothers and sisters. I also pray for greater wisdom to be granted to the church leaders, enabling them to create more opportunities and conditions within the church for the elderly brothers and sisters to fully exercise their gifts and talents, influencing the lives of more young individuals. Heavenly Father, I also thank You for allowing me to learn from the example of Caleb on how to grow old gracefully. Though my outward appearance and physical body may weaken, may my determination grow stronger each day. I am willing, like Caleb, to fight the good fight for You, even in old age. May You strengthen my body and spirit, and may you use me throughout my entire life. Amen!

 

HYMN:

Find Us Faithful – youtu.be/eERKnxzNzwg

 

Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Joshua+013

 

Joshua Chapter 13 (ESV)

Land Still to Be Conquered

¹ Now Joshua was old and advanced in years, and the Lord said to him, “You are old and advanced in years, and there remains yet very much land to possess. ² This is the land that yet remains: all the regions of the Philistines, and all those of the Geshurites ³ (from the Shihor, which is east of Egypt, northward to the boundary of Ekron, it is counted as Canaanite; there are five rulers of the Philistines, those of Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron), and those of the Avvim, ⁴ in the south, all the land of the Canaanites, and Mearah that belongs to the Sidonians, to Aphek, to the boundary of the Amorites, ⁵ and the land of the Gebalites, and all Lebanon, toward the sunrise, from Baal-gad below Mount Hermon to Lebo-hamath, ⁶ all the inhabitants of the hill country from Lebanon to Misrephoth-maim, even all the Sidonians. I myself will drive them out from before the people of Israel. Only allot the land to Israel for an inheritance, as I have commanded you. ⁷ Now therefore divide this land for an inheritance to the nine tribes and half the tribe of Manasseh.”

The Inheritance East of the Jordan

⁸ With the other half of the tribe of Manasseh the Reubenites and the Gadites received their inheritance, which Moses gave them, beyond the Jordan eastward, as Moses the servant of the Lord gave them: ⁹ from Aroer, which is on the edge of the Valley of the Arnon, and the city that is in the middle of the valley, and all the tableland of Medeba as far as Dibon; ¹⁰ and all the cities of Sihon king of the Amorites, who reigned in Heshbon, as far as the boundary of the Ammonites; ¹¹ and Gilead, and the region of the Geshurites and Maacathites, and all Mount Hermon, and all Bashan to Salecah; ¹² all the kingdom of Og in Bashan, who reigned in Ashtaroth and in Edrei (he alone was left of the remnant of the Rephaim); these Moses had struck and driven out. ¹³ Yet the people of Israel did not drive out the Geshurites or the Maacathites, but Geshur and Maacath dwell in the midst of Israel to this day.

¹⁴ To the tribe of Levi alone Moses gave no inheritance. The offerings by fire to the Lord God of Israel are their inheritance, as he said to him.

 

REFLECTION:

• The power of the Canaanites had been broken by the power of united Israel. But there were still pockets of resistance in each area allotted to the various tribes.
• The Israelites population was not large enough to fill the whole land. Each tribe was responsible to take additional land as its population grew.
• If you had been a Gadite or Reubenite, what would have been the first thing you do in your new land: Build a house to live in? Have a big feast? Check out the neighbors? Look for water? Gather for worship? Why?
• What have you received that you feel is a specific inheritance (gift) from the Lord? What have you done with it?

 

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, I thank You for granting me an inheritance and causing my cup of blessings to overflow. Everything I have received, You have preserved for me. The inheritance You have given me is not on earth but in heaven, my true and more beautiful home. There, there will be no more toil, sorrow, pain, sickness, or death. My brothers and sisters and I will be Your people, and You will be our God. You will wipe away all our tears and dwell with us forever and ever. Heavenly Father, You govern my life, and You are the source of all my blessings. Your gifts are abundant and delightful, and I offer You my whole being in thanksgiving. My life was created by You, and it was redeemed by my Lord Jesus Christ through His precious blood. I am willing to offer my life as a living sacrifice, to glorify Your name and bring You joy in this world. The inheritance I receive is not in the future, but it has already been given to me. Your eternal kingdom has come, not in the future, but it has already arrived. Your church is the image of Your future kingdom, and I desire to join my brothers and sisters in building Your church, expanding Your kingdom, and laying up treasures in heaven. I pray for Your strength to be added to us. Amen!

 

HYMN:

You Are My Inheritance, O Lord – youtu.be/b4y_WdZYCnA

 

Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Joshua+012

 

Joshua Chapter 12 (ESV)

Kings Defeated by Joshua

⁷ And these are the kings of the land whom Joshua and the people of Israel defeated on the west side of the Jordan, from Baal-gad in the Valley of Lebanon to Mount Halak, that rises toward Seir (and Joshua gave their land to the tribes of Israel as a possession according to their allotments, ⁸ in the hill country, in the lowland, in the Arabah, in the slopes, in the wilderness, and in the Negeb, the land of the Hittites, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites): ⁹ the king of Jericho, one; the king of Ai, which is beside Bethel, one; ¹⁰ the king of Jerusalem, one; the king of Hebron, one; ¹¹ the king of Jarmuth, one; the king of Lachish, one; ¹² the king of Eglon, one; the king of Gezer, one; ¹³ the king of Debir, one; the king of Geder, one; ¹⁴ the king of Hormah, one; the king of Arad, one;¹⁵ the king of Libnah, one; the king of Adullam, one; ¹⁶ the king of Makkedah, one; the king of Bethel, one; ¹⁷ the king of Tappuah, one; the king of Hepher, one; ¹⁸ the king of Aphek, one; the king of Lasharon, one; ¹⁹ the king of Madon, one; the king of Hazor, one; ²⁰ the king of Shimron-meron, one; the king of Achshaph, one; ²¹ the king of Taanach, one; the king of Megiddo, one; ²² the king of Kedesh, one; the king of Jokneam in Carmel, one; ²³ the king of Dor in Naphath-dor, one; the king of Goiim in Galilee, one; ²⁴ the king of Tirzah, one: in all, thirty-one kings.

 

REFLECTION:

• Read the names of these kings and see if you remember any of them from study of the previous chapters 1-11. This chapter is the conclusion of the first half of the book of Joshua.
• Most scholars believe that the Conquest described so graphically in these chapters, actually took about seven years to accomplish. When total victory had finally been won, Joshua carefully listed the 31 Canaanite city-states that were defeated. Israel could look back on this impressive list and be encouraged. God, who had promised victory, had kept His word. Surely God could be trusted for victory in battles yet to come.
• Has God helped in your life to conquer anything: Bad temper? Shyness? Certain phobia? Smoking? Serious illness? Addiction? Marriage problems? Obesity? Poor self-image? The list could go on. Pause and recall. Write down what comes to mind in your Spiritual Journal Book. If ready, share it with another Christian or in your cell.

 

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, I thank You because through the Lord who loves me, I am more than victorious in all things. For I firmly believe that neither death nor life, neither angels nor rulers, neither present nor future circumstances, neither powers nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate me from Your love, which is in my Lord Jesus Christ. Today, as I carefully consider Joshua’s seven-year-long battle, I recognize the immense challenges he faced, yet ultimately achieved great victory. Without Your mighty power and strength bestowed upon Joshua and the Israelites, how could they have conquered thirty-one cities and their kings? Heavenly Father, as I reflect on the journey of my own life, it resembles Joshua’s battle. Though I am far weaker than Joshua, I am able to avoid falling into the snares of the devil by placing my trust in You. For Your power is made perfect in my weakness, and by trusting in You, whenever I am weak, I am made strong. In the future, I will face countless battles, and I understand that overcoming my own heart is greater than conquering cities. I pray for Your presence to be with me, and may the Holy Spirit of truth guide me. May the love of our Lord Jesus Christ grant me infinite courage. Amen!

 

HYMN:

Nothing Ever Could Separate Us – youtu.be/pxx0vPDfv0Q

 

Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Joshua+011

 

Joshua Chapter 11 (ESV)

Conquests in Northern Canaan

¹ When Jabin, king of Hazor, heard of this, he sent to Jobab king of Madon, and to the king of Shimron, and to the king of Achshaph, ² and to the kings who were in the northern hill country, and in the Arabah south of Chinneroth, and in the lowland, and in Naphoth-dor on the west, ³ to the Canaanites in the east and the west, the Amorites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, and the Jebusites in the hill country, and the Hivites under Hermon in the land of Mizpah. ⁴ And they came out with all their troops, a great horde, in number like the sand that is on the seashore, with very many horses and chariots. ⁵ And all these kings joined their forces and came and encamped together at the waters of Merom to fight against Israel.

⁶ And the Lord said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid of them, for tomorrow at this time I will give over all of them, slain, to Israel. You shall hamstring their horses and burn their chariots with fire.” ⁷ So Joshua and all his warriors came suddenly against them by the waters of Merom and fell upon them. ⁸ And the Lord gave them into the hand of Israel, who struck them and chased them as far as Great Sidon and Misrephoth-maim, and eastward as far as the Valley of Mizpeh. And they struck them until he left none remaining. ⁹ And Joshua did to them just as the Lord said to him: he hamstrung their horses and burned their chariots with fire.

¹⁰ And Joshua turned back at that time and captured Hazor and struck its king with the sword, for Hazor formerly was the head of all those kingdoms. ¹¹ And they struck with the sword all who were in it, devoting them to destruction; there was none left that breathed. And he burned Hazor with fire. ¹² And all the cities of those kings, and all their kings, Joshua captured, and struck them with the edge of the sword, devoting them to destruction, just as Moses the servant of the Lord had commanded. ¹³ But none of the cities that stood on mounds did Israel burn, except Hazor alone; that Joshua burned. ¹⁴ And all the spoil of these cities and the livestock, the people of Israel took for their plunder. But every person they struck with the edge of the sword until they had destroyed them, and they did not leave any who breathed. ¹⁵ Just as the Lord had commanded Moses his servant, so Moses commanded Joshua, and so Joshua did. He left nothing undone of all that the Lord had commanded Moses.

²³ So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the Lord had spoken to Moses. And Joshua gave it for an inheritance to Israel according to their tribal allotments. And the land had rest from war.

 

REFLECTION:

• It is important to note while facing the greatest warfare, Joshua followed every detailed command by the Lord. ‘He (Joshua) left nothing undone of all that the Lord commanded Moses (v15)”. Joshua carried out fully the specific orders given by God. And “theLord gave them into the hand of Israel” (v8). We are to fight wisely and obediently, but the outcome of the battle is still entirely up to the Lord.
• Do you measure yourself or other people with achievements or accomplishments? Or the faithfulness and obedience to the Lord during the process?

 

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, today’s scripture is such a powerful reminder for me! I dedicate my finances, time, and energy to You. I busy myself in Your service day in and day out, finding joy and never growing weary. But how much of it is truly done according to Your will? How much of it is for the sake of pleasing You rather than seeking the approval of others? Heavenly Father, I pray that You shine Your light into my dark heart, so I can see my pride, disobedience, and stubbornness clearly. Help me discern the true motives behind my service. Where does the source of my strength truly come from? I deeply understand that obeying Your commands far surpasses my busy service, and being obedient to Your word is worth more than any monetary offering. The sin of disobedience is as grave as the sin of practicing sorcery, and stubbornness is as sinful as idolatry. If I reject Your commands and fail to obey your will, You will also reject all the service I offer. Heavenly Father, please forgive my proud and stubborn sins. Let me seek good examples from the life of Joshua and make my faithfulness and obedience to You the measure of success in all things. Examine me, accept me, just as the vast ocean embraces a tiny wave, for You are my strength and my portion in my heart, forever and ever. Amen!

 

HYMN:

Trust and Obey – youtu.be/KB4KcleYiWM

 

Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Joshua+010
 

Joshua Chapter 10 (ESV)

⁶ And the men of Gibeon sent to Joshua at the camp in Gilgal, saying, “Do not relax your hand from your servants. Come up to us quickly and save us and help us, for all the kings of the Amorites who dwell in the hill country are gathered against us.” ⁷ So Joshua went up from Gilgal, he and all the people of war with him, and all the mighty men of valor. ⁸ And the Lord said to Joshua, “Do not fear them, for I have given them into your hands. Not a man of them shall stand before you.” ⁹ So Joshua came upon them suddenly, having marched up all night from Gilgal. ¹⁰ And the Lord threw them into a panic before Israel, who struck them with a great blow at Gibeon and chased them by the way of the ascent of Beth-horon and struck them as far as Azekah and Makkedah. ¹¹ And as they fled before Israel, while they were going down the ascent of Beth-horon, the Lord threw down large stones from heaven on them as far as Azekah, and they died. There were more who died because of the hailstones than the sons of Israel killed with the sword.

¹² At that time Joshua spoke to the Lord in the day when the Lord gave the Amorites over to the sons of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel,

“Sun, stand still at Gibeon,
and moon, in the Valley of Aijalon.”
¹³ And the sun stood still, and the moon stopped,
until the nation took vengeance on their enemies.

Is this not written in the Book of Jashar? The sun stopped in the midst of heaven and did not hurry to set for about a whole day. ¹⁴ There has been no day like it before or since, when the Lord heeded the voice of a man, for the Lord fought for Israel.

¹⁵ So Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, to the camp at Gilgal.

 

REFLECTION:

• Joshua is fighting a coalition of five city-state kings in the south and God led him to great victories. God intervened for Israel in two circumstances: hailstones killed many of the enemy, and the “sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day” so the slaughter of the Amorites could be completed.
• At the crucial moment when the battle was reaching its climax, God intervened promptly and forcefully, enabling the Israeli army to muster its strength and annihilate the allied forces.
• Have you ever experienced God’s timely intervention in the most crucial moments of your life? Or do you sense it right now?

 

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, You are my rock, my fortress, my high tower, my shield, and my Savior. You are my God! You are deserving of the highest praise! I cry out to You, asking for Your salvation, to deliver me from the snare of my enemies, the bondage of the devil Satan. Grant me victory in the battle against the devil, as You aided Joshua. You are a God of righteousness, authority, and glory. You can send hailstones and fire, striking down and consuming the servants of the devil. You can cause the sun to stand still in the sky, and make mighty walls crumble, helping Your people achieve victory. Heavenly Father, although we may not be engaged in battles like those in the time of Joshua, the battles within our hearts are fierce! For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood enemies, but against spiritual forces of darkness that seek to destroy us. The miracles You perform for us today are the full armor You have given us. Let me stand firm as a rock and put on this complete armor: I will gird myself with truth around my waist, wear the breastplate of righteousness to guard my heart, and have my feet fitted with the readiness of the gospel of peace. Additionally, I will take up the shield of faith to extinguish all the fiery arrows of the wicked, put on the helmet of salvation, and wield the sword of the Spirit, which is Your Word. I will rely on the Holy Spirit, praying and supplicating at all times. By doing so, I will surely be victorious. Amen!

 

HYMN:

The Lord Is My Rock – youtu.be/Kab9oJJA0LU

 

Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Joshua+009

 

Joshua Chapter 9 (ESV)

³ But when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and to Ai, ⁴ they on their part acted with cunning and went and made ready provisions and took worn-out sacks for their donkeys, and wineskins, worn-out and torn and mended, ⁵ with worn-out, patched sandals on their feet, and worn-out clothes. And all their provisions were dry and crumbly. ⁶ And they went to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal and said to him and to the men of Israel, “We have come from a distant country, so now make a covenant with us.” ⁷ But the men of Israel said to the Hivites, “Perhaps you live among us; then how can we make a covenant with you?” ⁸ They said to Joshua, “We are your servants.” And Joshua said to them, “Who are you? And where do you come from?” ⁹ They said to him, “From a very distant country your servants have come, because of the name of the Lord your God. For we have heard a report of him, and all that he did in Egypt, ¹⁰ and all that he did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon the king of Heshbon, and to Og king of Bashan, who lived in Ashtaroth. ¹¹ So our elders and all the inhabitants of our country said to us, ‘Take provisions in your hand for the journey and go to meet them and say to them, “We are your servants. Come now, make a covenant with us.”’ ¹² Here is our bread. It was still warm when we took it from our houses as our food for the journey on the day we set out to come to you, but now, behold, it is dry and crumbly. ¹³ These wineskins were new when we filled them, and behold, they have burst. And these garments and sandals of ours are worn out from the very long journey.” ¹⁴ So the men took some of their provisions, but did not ask counsel from the Lord. ¹⁵ And Joshua made peace with them and made a covenant with them, to let them live, and the leaders of the congregation swore to them.

 

REFLECTION:

• When the people of Gibeon, who lived just a few miles from the Israelite camp, heard about Israel’s conquest of Jericho and Ai, they were afraid. The Gibeonites successfully tricked Joshua and the Israelites into a treaty by presenting moldy bread and sour wine as evidence that they lived outside of Canaan. The Israelites were fooled because they “did not inquire of the LORD” (v. 14).
• Deceit is Satan’s primary strategy. He often seduces us into believing that a lie is truth and evil is good.
• What tricks does Satan use to keep us from seeking God’s guidance? In what areas are we often tempted to make peace with the sinful world?

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, how dark and deceitful this fallen world is! I see the devil disguised as an angel of light, using various tricks to deceive people, making them believe that ugliness is beauty, lies are truth, and evil is goodness! I look up at the sky and discover impurity hidden within its pure blue. I walk upon the earth and am astonished to find deep chasms appearing on its seemingly flat plains. I admire a pristine lily, only to suddenly perceive cunning concealed within its grace. I am enchanted by the beauty of a rose, yet I can detect the scent of death amidst its delightful fragrance. The entire beautiful world that You have created, Father, has been contaminated by sin. As I further examine the human heart, I lament that I must confront even greater darkness and more deception! How much baseness is done in the name of nobility, how much betrayal is masked as loyalty, and how much hypocrisy is enacted in the guise of piety! The human heart is truly more deceitful than all things and exceedingly wicked! Heavenly Father, I thank You for sacrificing Your beloved Son, who cleansed all the filth and unrighteousness in this world with His precious blood! I implore Your mercy, forgive my sins, and keep me from losing the salvation found in Christ. Be with me, grant me wisdom to seek Your will, so that I may walk in Your holiness and light every day. Amen!

 

HYMN:

Be the Centre – youtu.be/pw6rIwmkV6E

 

Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Joshua+008

 

Joshua Chapter 8 (ESV)

¹⁸ Then the Lord said to Joshua, “Stretch out the javelin that is in your hand toward Ai, for I will give it into your hand.” And Joshua stretched out the javelin that was in his hand toward the city. ¹⁹ And the men in the ambush rose quickly out of their place, and as soon as he had stretched out his hand, they ran and entered the city and captured it. And they hurried to set the city on fire.

Joshua Renews the Covenant

³⁰ At that time Joshua built an altar to the Lord, the God of Israel, on Mount Ebal, ³¹ just as Moses the servant of the Lord had commanded the people of Israel, as it is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, “an altar of uncut stones, upon which no man has wielded an iron tool.” And they offered on it burnt offerings to the Lord and sacrificed peace offerings. ³² And there, in the presence of the people of Israel, he wrote on the stones a copy of the law of Moses, which he had written. ³³ And all Israel, sojourner as well as native born, with their elders and officers and their judges, stood on opposite sides of the ark before the Levitical priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord, half of them in front of Mount Gerizim and half of them in front of Mount Ebal, just as Moses the servant of the Lord had commanded at the first, to bless the people of Israel. ³⁴ And afterward he read all the words of the law, the blessing and the curse, according to all that is written in the Book of the Law. ³⁵ There was not a word of all that Moses commanded that Joshua did not read before all the assembly of Israel, and the women, and the little ones, and the sojourners who lived among them.

 

REFLECTION:

• After the great victory at Ai, Joshua fulfilled a command given by Moses (Deut 27). Joshua set the people on two opposing mountainsides, and after sacrificing to the Lord, he read all the words of the law, the blessing and the curse, according to all that is written in the Book of the Law (v34).
• This ceremony established Jehovah as “the God of Israel” (v. 30) in the sight of the Canaanites as well as the Israelites. The people offered burnt and peace offerings on Mt. Sinai when God first gave the Law to Israel. Their offering again here recalled that previous incident and showed that this ceremony constituted a covenant renewal.
• It is important for God’s people to declare their allegiance to His revealed will publicly among the unbelievers with whom we live. This helps them understand why we live as we do, and it brings glory to God when His people then proceed to live upright lives and demonstrate His supernatural power. A wedding ring similarly declares one’s commitment to their spouse publicly, and each one memorializes God’s leading and provision. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are likewise memorials for Christians.

 

PRAYER:

Loving Heavenly Father, today I solemnly reaffirm my commitment to You and dedicate my entire life to You. I ask for Your grace to help me wholeheartedly obey Your guidance. Through the precious blood of Jesus Christ, I have entered into a new covenant with You, and I desire to be a disciple of the Lord for the rest of my life, taking up my cross and following the Lord on the path to heaven. I am aware that this path is narrow, filled with thorns and flames, and it is extremely challenging to walk on. Few choose to walk on it, but it leads to eternal life, Your heavenly glory and blessings. On the other hand, there is a broad and easy path, adorned with flowers and applause, and many people walk on it. However, it ultimately leads to destruction and perdition. Dear Lord Jesus, I pray that You personally reach out to me with your nail-scarred hands, so that I may bear Your death in my body, and Your life may be revealed in me. At this very moment, I feel as if You are right beside me, smiling and greeting me with peace, just as You did to Your disciples after Your resurrection. I desire to have Your peace always. May Your gentleness, humility, and love be engraved upon my heart and marked upon my arm. May my life shine like a flame, displaying Your light and holiness, unquenchable by the waters and undrownable by the floods. Amen!

 

HYMN:

Lord I Offer My Life – youtu.be/T6ScZi7drBg

 

Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Joshua+007

 

Joshua Chapter 7 (ESV)

Israel Defeated at Ai

¹ But the people of Israel broke faith in regard to the devoted things, for Achan the son of Carmi, son of Zabdi, son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of the devoted things. And the anger of the Lord burned against the people of Israel.

² Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is near Beth-aven, east of Bethel, and said to them, “Go up and spy out the land.” And the men went up and spied out Ai. ³ And they returned to Joshua and said to him, “Do not have all the people go up, but let about two or three thousand men go up and attack Ai. Do not make the whole people toil up there, for they are few.” ⁴ So about three thousand men went up there from the people. And they fled before the men of Ai, ⁵ and the men of Ai killed about thirty-six of their men and chased them before the gate as far as Shebarim and struck them at the descent. And the hearts of the people melted and became as water.

⁶ Then Joshua tore his clothes and fell to the earth on his face before the ark of the Lord until the evening, he and the elders of Israel. And they put dust on their heads. ⁷ And Joshua said, “Alas, O Lord God, why have you brought this people over the Jordan at all, to give us into the hands of the Amorites, to destroy us? Would that we had been content to dwell beyond the Jordan! ⁸ O Lord, what can I say, when Israel has turned their backs before their enemies! ⁹ For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land will hear of it and will surround us and cut off our name from the earth. And what will you do for your great name?”

The Sin of Achan

¹⁰ The Lord said to Joshua, “Get up! Why have you fallen on your face? ¹¹ Israel has sinned; they have transgressed my covenant that I commanded them; they have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen and lied and put them among their own belongings. ¹² Therefore the people of Israel cannot stand before their enemies. They turn their backs before their enemies, because they have become devoted for destruction. I will be with you no more, unless you destroy the devoted things from among you. ¹³ Get up! Consecrate the people and say, ‘Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow; for thus says the Lord, God of Israel, “There are devoted things in your midst, O Israel. You cannot stand before your enemies until you take away the devoted things from among you.” ¹⁴ In the morning therefore you shall be brought near by your tribes. And the tribe that the Lord takes by lot shall come near by clans. And the clan that the Lord takes shall come near by households. And the household that the Lord takes shall come near man by man.¹⁵ And he who is taken with the devoted things shall be burned with fire, he and all that he has, because he has transgressed the covenant of the Lord, and because he has done an outrageous thing in Israel.’”

 

REFLECTION:

• When Israel was defeated at Ai, Joshua’s prayer (vv7-9) clearly revealed his panic and worry about what might lie ahead. God’s words to Joshua put a new perspective on the situation. “Israel has sinned”. Joshua was not to worry about possible consequences of defeat, but to look for the cause of defeat. Why Israel lost the battle was far more important than what the loss might mean in terms of enemy morale.
• When we experience a setback, it’s better for us too to look for the cause than to worry about consequences. If we examine ourselves and find no known sin, then we can advance with confidence. If we do find sin, even unintentional sin, we need to deal with it immediately.
• Are you aware of the sins you have committed? Is there any secret sins you harbor? Sit silently and invite the Holy Spirit to illumine you. If so, honestly admit them to God and ask humbly for God’s gracious forgiveness.

 

PRAYER:

Merciful and glorious Heavenly Father, Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light on my path, preventing me from slipping and losing my way in the darkness. Your word is sharper than any double-edged sword, so alive and powerful that it can divide my soul and spirit, laying bare the deepest shadows in my life. Heavenly Father, I pray that You would examine me, know my thoughts, test me, and know my intentions. See if there is any wickedness within me and forgive all my hidden sins. Guide me on the path of eternal life. Purify my life like refined gold, making it radiant and shining. Sharpen my determination, making it firm and as precious as jade. Cultivate my soul, making it holy and fresh like a lily in a secluded valley, emitting the fragrance of heaven. Heavenly Father, grant me abundant wisdom so that I do not worry about the consequences of failure, but repent for the reasons behind it. Keep me dwelling in Your presence all the days of my life, not following the plans of the wicked, not walking in the path of sinners, and not sitting in the seat of mockers. May I be like a fruitful tree planted by streams of water, bearing fruit in season, and my leaves never wither. May everything I do prosper according to Your will. Amen!

 

HYMN:

Lead Me in the Way Everlasting – youtu.be/_Q-sPK286W8