Month: March 2016

Re:Verse reading–Joshua 2 (day four)

Rahab was a woman of good character. Yes…she is identified as a harlot, but she also demonstrated some excellent character qualities. First, there was integrity…she was true to her word. She was compassionate toward the Israeli spies and unselfish in desiring to save her entire family and not just herself. She demonstrated great faith as attested to in Hebrews 11:31…the ‘hall of faith’ chapter in Scripture. Character is a heritage passed down through family lines.

Rahab married Salmon after Israel conquered Jericho…they had a son named Boaz. Boaz, whose story we learn in the book of Ruth, was a man of integrity, compassion, unselfish concern for family, and faith. All of these character qualities came together in his care and treatment of Ruth and Naomi. What are the character qualities that you are passing on? What do your children see in your life? Are you demonstrating Christ-like character or worldly character? Who will have lasting impact for the kingdom of God because they have developed Godly character through your example?

 

Re:Verse reading–Joshua 2 (day three)

“Now then, please swear to me by the Lord.” Some people hear of the Lord, and they recoil in fear. They loathe the thought of turning their allegiance to anyone higher than themselves, but the sweat runs cold when they consider that the Lord might be powerful enough to call them to account for the way they live. Anyone so inclined is doomed, as the Bible clearly communicates. Other people hear of the Lord, and they sigh with relief. They finally see that the universe has a solid ground on which they can rest their lives. The Lord is now the reference point for everything they see, think, and do. Anyone so inclined is saved, as Rahab testifies: “God is God in heaven and on the earth below.” Do you recoil in fear, or sigh with relief?

 

Re:Verse reading–Joshua 2 (day two) “…for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on earth below.” vs. 11

“They entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there.” vs. 1

If you were to look at Rahab’s past would you think that there would be anything in her life that prepared her to be such an ambassador for the Lord? Hers is the kind of life that is often used as an illustration of sin and destruction. But doesn’t it also illustrate that God can change a heart of corruption into a vessel of service and love? The idea that we have to come from purity into purity is folly. We are broken, ugly, and involved in lifestyles that if brought to light would be our undoing, but if we are witness to God’s redeeming love, like Rahab, we too can experience his forgiveness, his power, and his promise. Stop looking backwards, look outside those walls of Jericho.

 

Re:Verse reading–Joshua 2 (day one) “So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there.”–v 1.

Pure motives.  They went to her house because they didn’t want to be noticed.  Men were in and out of that house frequently.

What the spies didn’t expect was to encounter a prepared heart.  Someone in whom the Lord’s Spirit was at work.  Like the woman at the well (John 4), Rahab (Joshua 2) was waking up, spiritually.  She had heard the stories of Jehovah.  His judgements on Sihon and Og.  His powerful deliverance of His people from slavery.  Hearing, she was ready to act to save herself and her family.

Remarkable story.  Sinful past.  Conviction of sin.  Mercy of God.  Genuine faith. New Life.  Noble heritage. Woman of faith.  Great-grandmother of King David.  Ancestor of Christ.

“By FAITH Rahab the harlot did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she welcomed the spies in peace.”–Hebrews 12:31.

Re:Verse reading–Joshua 1 (day seven) “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous!”–v 9.

“Bran thought about it. ‘Can a man be brave if he’s afraid?’ ‘That’s the only time a man can be brave’, his father told him.”–George R. R. Martin (Game of Thrones)

We live in an age that portrays people as helpless.  Victims of our circumstances and feelings.  Unable to control our actions or choose a higher path.

God’s word paints a different picture.  Courage is a choice, one of many that can and must be made by those who believe.

God commanded Joshua to be courageous.  To focus his heart on the promises of God and not his fears.  To get up early and pray and find sufficient certainty for a day of strength. To exercise a self-discipline that did not allow his “heart to be troubled” (see John 14)

Our generation says that we are victims.  God says courage is a choice.

Re:Verse reading–Joshua 1 (day five)

Caught up with a recent college grad from our church this week. When they left for college they contacted me with an unusual request. “Can you give me 10 Bibles to hand out as I head off to college?” I remember thinking that this was an ambitious task for a soft-spoken and meek freshman headed to a new environment that may or may not be completely open to the Gospel and a biblical worldview. There was only one stipulation placed on this task. “I’m not gonna offer them, they have to ask me for one.” My first question was, “How will that happen?” I will never forget the response. “Because I will talk about the scripture, I will quote scripture, I will live according to its guidelines, and I will always have a Bible with me to show where my beliefs, convictions, and joy come from.”  All those bibles were handed out.

Was reminded of Joshua 1:7-8.

Now out of college, I asked this week if they were still handing out Bibles. With a big smile, they answered, “Yes!”

Re:Verse reading–Joshua 1 (day four)

His name was Amos…he was a good dog. He did not have a large kingdom, but he watched over our backyard with diligence. Early one morning, we were awakened by his barking…he had cornered a possum. He was content to just bark…until I arrived beside him. Emboldened by my presence, he rushed in for the fight.

Joshua and Israel were poised on the banks of the Jordan River. They were emboldened to move, on the command of the Lord. He promised to be with them and had already given them the land. He promised His presence! All they had to do was to be strong and courageous.

What has God promised to you? What has He already given to you if you will only follow His commands? “Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

(BTW: Amos won…with a little help.)

Re:Verse reading–Joshua 1 (day three)

“Moses my servant is dead.” The question for Israel was this: How would they go on now? As gifted as Joshua was, no amount of passion, reason, talent, skill, principle, vision, or sense of history can bear the weight of the future without one crucial element: love. Moses made the point: Love arises only when a person places his heart, soul, mind, and strength at God’s disposal, and then radiates that character towards all others. Paul elaborated on that point: Without love, my skill set won’t matter in the long run. When a leadership era ends in a nation, in a movement, or in a family, these groups often disintegrate when they depend on vision alone, or principle alone, or passion alone. Without love, none of these traits will generate an eternal kind of life. Learn love, and build to last.

Re:Verse reading–Joshua 1 (day two)

“This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.” vs. 8

New leader, new land – if there were ever a time for some continuity for a nation, this would be it. The Israelites were now stepping foot into the promise, their dreams were coming true, but it all meant change. Even when things are going well change can be difficult. God knows this. Perhaps this is why in the span of ten verses he says be strong and courageous four different times. He also helps them see that amidst great change there was also the comforting assurance of his constancy. New leader, new land, same God, same Word. The promises that we are walking are simply the fulfillment of what he has assured us of all along. No matter the circumstance, God will remain true. Now is not the time to forget this.