Victory in Christ

The book of Joshua begins with the Lord preparing a leader to replace Moses.  Two times in the first chapter God tells Joshua to be strong and courageous (vs. 6, 9) and a third time He tells him to be strong and very courageous (v. 7).  In between those admonitions He speaks to Joshua the words recorded in verse 8, “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” These words were spoken to Joshua for his encouragement and they were preserved by our Heavenly Father for our encouragement as well. 

Today’s reading: Joshua 1-4

Many times in scripture God is described as a rock.  “The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he.” (Deuteronomy 32:4)  Hannah included the comparison in her prayer.  “There is none holy like the LORD: for there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God.” (1 Samuel 2:2)  David had a song about God saving him from his enemies that included a rock.  “And he said, The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence.” (2 Samuel 22:2)  Just like the Psalmist spoke of, God is our rock and refuge if we will just go to Him.  “Be to me a rock of refuge, to which I may continually come; you have given the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.” (Psalm 71:3)

Today’s reading: Deuteronomy 32-34; Psalm 91

God sent His words to the people thru Moses.  “These are the words of the covenant that the LORD commanded Moses to make with the people of Israel in the land of Moab, besides the covenant that he had made with them at Horeb.” (Deuteronomy 29:1)  He told them that anything they needed to know He would share with them, but some things only God knows.  “The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.” (Deuteronomy 29:29)  He also let them know that His Word was readily available to them if they would just put forth the effort.  “For this commandment that I command you today is not too hard for you, neither is it far off. It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will ascend to heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ But the word is very near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it.” (Deuteronomy 30:11-14)  The old law was abolished with our Savior’s sacrifice and His New Covenant is close to us today if we will just put forth the effort to study it.  “For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them. But the righteousness based on faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) “or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim);” (Romans 10:5-8)

Today’s reading: Deuteronomy 30-31

As they were given the Promised Land, God also gave the people commands of what he expected of them.  “And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.” (Deuteronomy 28:1-2)  Like the Israelites, we will be judged based on our response to His Word.  “He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury.” (Romans 2:6-8)

Today’s reading: Deuteronomy 27-29

In this section of scripture we read very specific laws from God.  These Old Testament laws were made obsolete by our Savior on the cross.  “And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.” (Colossians 2:13-14)  In the verses immediately prior to these we see how we can be joined with Him in His burial and resurrection.  “In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.” (Colossians 2:11-12)

Today’s reading: Deuteronomy 24-26

When His people went to battle and were doing His will, God was with them.  “And when you draw near to the battle, the priest shall come forward and speak to the people and shall say to them, ‘Hear, O Israel, today you are drawing near for battle against your enemies: let not your heart faint. Do not fear or panic or be in dread of them, for the LORD your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.’” (Deuteronomy 20:2-4)  If we, like the Israelites, follow His commands God continues to be here for us every day no matter what happens.  “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah” (Psalm 46:1-3)

Today’s reading: Deuteronomy 21-23

God allowed His people to appoint a king like the nations around them, but He gave specific instructions for the king to follow.  Part of those instructions involved how to handle God’s words.  “And when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, he shall write for himself in a book a copy of this law, approved by the Levitical priests. And it shall be with him, and he shall read in it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the LORD his God by keeping all the words of this law and these statutes, and doing them, that his heart may not be lifted up above his brothers, and that he may not turn aside from the commandment, either to the right hand or to the left, so that he may continue long in his kingdom, he and his children, in Israel.” (Deuteronomy 17:18-20)  Our Heavenly Father may not speak to us today in miraculous form, but His Written Word is just as powerful.  “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)  It is up to us to use His Word to direct our lives like He commanded those kings to do.

Today’s reading: Deuteronomy 17-20

Part of God’s command to the Israelite people was how they would handle those who were less fortunate.  “For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.’” (Deuteronomy 15:11)  We can read some Proverbs that also let us know God’s feeling toward those who share their blessings.  “Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will repay him for his deed.” (Proverbs 19:17)  “He who has a generous eye will be blessed, For he gives of his bread to the poor.” (Proverbs 22:9)  According to Jesus, any help given to those in need is help given to our Savior himself.  “Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” (Matthew 25:37-40)

Today’s reading: Deuteronomy 14-16

God gave specific instructions that He wanted His people to follow.  “These are the statutes and rules that you shall be careful to do in the land that the LORD, the God of your fathers, has given you to possess, all the days that you live on the earth.” (Deuteronomy 12:1)  At the end of those instructions being told, it was reiterated that He was serious about them following His instructions.  “Everything that I command you, you shall be careful to do. You shall not add to it or take from it.” (Deuteronomy 12:32)  The need for animal sacrifices ended with the one true sacrifice of our Savior, but God’s words have been preserved for a purpose.  “For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” (Romans 15:4)

Today’s reading: Deuteronomy 11-13

God has always made clear the requirements of His people. “And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments of the LORD and His statutes which I command you today for your good?” (Deuteronomy 10:12-13) Jesus spoke similar words when asked what is the greatest commandment. “Jesus said to him, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:37-40) It is up to us to obey these commandments if we are to be children of His.

Today’s reading: Deuteronomy 9-10