“Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.” (Judges 6:15) I've got a whole list of reasons for why God shouldn't use me. I talk too much. I'm a hypocrite. I care too much about myself. I don't exemplify a servant's heart. I have too many opinions. The list goes on an ... [Continue Reading]
What Will it Take? (Judges 3-4)
Because [Jabin, the king of Canaan,] had nine hundred chariots fitted with iron and had cruelly oppressed the Israelites for twenty years, they cried to the Lord for help. (Judges 4:3) Twenty years of oppression is what it took for Israel to turn back to God? Seriously? Twenty years? It's remarkable to me that it took so long for the nation to realize that it was ... [Continue Reading]
One Generation (Judges 1-2)
After that whole generation had been gathered to their ancestors, another generation grew up who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel. (Judges 2:10) All it takes is one generation to make a difference. One generation has the power to be a force of positive change, and it also has the power to drive a nation to its knees. There was a generation in ... [Continue Reading]
Inclusive Exclusivism (Joshua 23-24)
Do not associate with these nations that remain among you; do not invoke the names of their gods or swear by them. You must not serve them or bow down to them. But you are to hold fast to the Lord your God, as you have until now. (Joshua 23:7-8) There are several paradoxes within the Christian faith, and one of those is inclusive exclusivism. Early on in the days of ... [Continue Reading]
Though None Goes With Me… (Joshua 11, 14:6-15)
I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadesh Barnea to explore the land. And I brought him back a report according to my convictions, but my fellow Israelites who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt in fear. I, however, followed the Lord my God wholeheartedly. (Joshua 14:7-8) There's something special about a person who is ... [Continue Reading]
Making Good Decisions (Joshua 9-10)
The Israelites sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the Lord. Then Joshua made a treaty of peace with them to let them live, and the leaders of the assembly ratified it by oath. (Joshua 9:14-15) Not all wisdom is created equal. There is a difference between wisdom that comes from man and wisdom that comes from God. One of the dangers of gaining wisdom is ... [Continue Reading]
What’s the Big Deal? (Joshua 7-8)
But the Israelites were unfaithful in regard to the devoted things; Achan son of Karmi, the son of Zimri, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of them. So the Lord’s anger burned against Israel. (Joshua 7:1) I think some of the biggest obstacles to faith are the rules surrounding it. Particularly, I think it's easy to misunderstand rules and think that ... [Continue Reading]
Picking Teams (Joshua 5-6)
Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, “Are you for us or for our enemies?” “Neither,” he replied, “but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.” (Joshua 5:13-14) Do you remember picking teams in elementary school? There was really only one place ... [Continue Reading]
Beyond the First Step (Joshua 3-4)
Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest. Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, the water from upstream stopped flowing. (Joshua 3:15-16a) I want to be a person who lives in the space that's created beyond taking the first step. Here's what I mean by that. Until we take a first step, we ... [Continue Reading]
Under the Shadow (Psalm 91)
“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” (Psalm 91:14-16) When we choose to follow God and love Him, we choose to live under the shadow ... [Continue Reading]
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