Daily Bible Devotionals

“Jeroboam said to himself, ‘The way things are going now, the kingdom might return to the house of David. If these people regularly go to offer sacrifices in the Lord’s temple in Jerusalem, the heart of these people will return to their Lord, Rehoboam, king of Judah. They will murder me and go back to the king of Judah. So the king sought advice. Then he made two gold calves, and he said to the people, ‘Going to Jerusalem is too difficult for you. Israel, here is your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt.’” 1 Kings 12:26-28 (HCSB)

Whether apostasy offends the masses depends on how it is pitched. In the 1930s, a horse liniment named Absorbine was plummeting in sales. An advertising man named Obie Winters had the liniment lab tested, and they found that it would work on ringworm of the foot. Nobody wanted to admit they had ringworm on their feet, so, with a stroke of genius, Winters made up a whole new name for such ringworm – “athlete’s foot.”

There is such a difference in the way a condition is marketed! Who would want to admit they had ringworm, even if there were a cure? But “athlete’s” foot? One would almost be disappointed if one did suffer from it periodically. It proves we’re athletic!

That was, tragically, Jeroboam’s genius. He was a great advertising man! Linking his new cult with the bull worship at Sinai seems to have cast a mantle of legitimacy over his innovation. Can’t you just hear him now? “The problem with Israel’s past bull worship was not its apostasy; the problem was in its lack of diversity: Now, we have TWO bulls! Plus, bull worship has roots in our nation’s history. It harkens back to our ancient independent, pioneering spirit!” As any politician will tell you, people seldom care about the truth, and political success depends on how you spin the story.

The more successful false religions major in the subtle spin instead of declaring blatant heresy. Cults use terms like redemptive, reconciling, atoning, relevant, etc., to promote positive emotive values without their proper Biblical context. Mormons won’t approach you directly, alleging that Jesus was born from sexual relations between God and Mary, that he is Lucifer’s spirit brother, or that Jesus Himself celebrated His own marriage to both Mary and Martha. No, they will run cute commercials on your local radio station, urging fathers to spend more quality time with their families. False religion always wants to appear both congenial and justifiable.

That is why our daily pursuit of God’s Word (the Bible) is so important. It is hard to dupe the Biblically literate! Mormons and Jehovah’s Witness are pretty easy to spot. But there are even more subtle heresies within the church, all promising to make your worship easier, more culturally relevant, or personally engaging. Remember: the 1st step away from God’s Word is the 1st step toward apostasy. (Psalm 1:1-2)

“After he (the old prophet) had buried him (the young prophet), he said to his sons, ‘When I die, you must bury me in the grave where the man of God is buried; lay my bones beside his bones, for the word that he cried out by a revelation from the Lord against the altar in Bethel and against all the shrines of the high places in the cities of Samaria is certain to happen.’ After all this Jeroboam did not repent of his evil way but again set up priests for the high places from every class of people. He ordained whoever so desired it, and they became priests of the high places. This was the sin that caused the house of Jeroboam to be wiped out and annihilated from the face of the earth.” 1 Kings 13:31-34 (HCSB)

Many questions arise in this chapter. All three main characters are richly intriguing, yet there is not much detail as to the motives behind their actions. One thing we can be certain of is that today’s chapter is about the Word of God.

Let’s consider each main character asking ourselves whether we view God’s Word as they did.

Jeroboam: The Word of God was his MERCY – and he despised it. (v.v. 1-10, 33-34) The Lord does not change; therefore, He has not changed since the days of Jeroboam. God does not hesitate to come barging right at you, straight into the middle of your idolatries. He will throw roadblocks in your path. Sometimes He will send reasonably obnoxious servants to you as well. Guys like me, perhaps! But it is good news that He will do almost anything to pry us loose from our “golden calves.” His mercy makes waves before His judgment arrives. What about Jeroboam? He simply repaired the altar and went on worshipping there.

The Man of God from Judah (Young Prophet): The Word of God was his SAFETY – and he abandoned it. (v.v 11-24) Today’s chapter warns us that the ministry of proclaiming the Word does not exempt us from the duty of obeying that Word. That lifeless form alongside the road to Bethel (like Uzzah’s in 2 Samuel 6:6-8) bears silent witness that it is never safe to venture outside the shelter of the Lord’s explicit Word.

The Old Prophet: The Word of God was his PROFESSION – and he abused it. (v.v. 18-32) The Old Prophet sports an alarming combination: he speaks the truth of God and destroys the servant of God. He has orthodoxy without sanctification. Jesus told us there would be folks like the Old Prophet. (Matthew 7:21-23) In fact, He said that “many” will surrender to Him their ministries of pulpit and power on the last day, ones whom He will address as “those working lawlessness.” We should be terrified if we have the truth, yet the truth does not grip, control, and transform us. For the Old Prophet, the truth seemed to be more of a gig (a job) than a love. “I, too, am a prophet.” The Word of God was his profession – and he abused it.

“In the fifth year of King Rehoboam, Shishak king of Egypt went to war against Jerusalem. He seized the treasuries of the Lord’s Temple and the treasuries of the royal palace. He took everything. He took all the gold shields that Solomon had made. King Rehoboam made bronze shields in their place and committed them to the care of the captains of the royal escorts who guarded the entrance to the king’s palace. Whenever the king entered the Lord’s Temple, the royal escorts would carry the shields, then they would take them back to the royal escorts’ armory.” 1 Kings 14:25-28 (HCSB)

In 1973, a church in North Hollywood, California, became highly concerned about end-times scenarios. The church had 2000 members and a property estimated at around $1.5 million. This church held the “pre-tribulation” opinion of Jesus’ second coming. That is, they believed the first “installment” of the Messiah’s return consists of Jesus taking His people out of this world (aka the rapture) before the prophesied period of “great tribulation” begins. Nothing wrong with that, but then it got weird.

The leadership of the church (pastors, officers) assumed that most/all of their group would be raptured but apparently did not entertain such high hopes for others. They worried about how the remaining members would keep the property going should the rapture occur. Solution: They changed the church bylaws to allow those “left behind” to elect a temporary chairman, who would then call a church council to elect new corporate officers. I know it is bizarre, but it’s also absurd. Keep a church going without any believers? Maintain an empty image while there remains no substantial reality?

That sounds something like a kingdom where soldiers strut around with bronze shields but have abandoned faithful worship. Rehoboam’s reign, then, foreshadows the judgment that will come upon Judah.

The “divided kingdom” is a depressing story from the very start. Verses 22-24 tell it all:

“Judah did what was evil in the Lord’s eyes. They provoked Him to jealous anger more than all that their ancestors had done with the sins they committed. They also built for themselves high places, sacred pillars, and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree; there were even male cult prostitutes in the land. They imitated all the detestable practices of the nations of the Lord had dispossessed before the Israelites.”

1 Kings 14:22-24

Immediately after these three depressing verses, Shishak, king of Egypt, marched against Jerusalem. It may be that Shishak did not actually assault Jerusalem but that Rehoboam bought him off with all their valuables. In any case, it hurts seeing all the glittery glory of the previous era being carted off to Egypt.

Lesson: You can shun the Lord if you like, but you must remember that no matter how important and powerful you may feel today, God has “Egyptian Pharaohs” – and a whole slew of other subordinates – at His beck and call. The Giver can also take away. (Job 1:21)

“And also the word of the Lord came by the prophet Jehu the son of Hanani against Baasha and his house, because of all the evil that he did in the sight of the Lord in provoking Him to anger with the work of his hands, in being like the house of Jeroboam, and because he killed them.” 1 Kings 16:7 (NKJV)

“Thus Zimri destroyed all the household of Baasha, according to the word of the Lord, which He spoke against Baasha by Jehu the prophet, for all the sins of Elah his son, by which they had sinned and by which they had made Israel sin, in provoking the Lord God of Israel to anger with their idols.” 1 Kings 16:12-13 (NKJV)

“And it happened, when Zimri saw that the city was taken, that he went into the citadel of the king’s house and burned the king’s house down upon himself with fire, and died, because of the sins which he had committed in doing evil in the sight of the Lord, in walking in the way of Jeroboam, and in his sin which he had committed to make Israel sin.” 1 Kings 16:18-19 (NKJV)

“Omri did evil in the eyes of the Lord, and did worse than all who were before him. For he walked in all the ways of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and in his sin by which he had made Israel sin, provoking the Lord God of Israel to anger with their idols.” 1 Kings 16:25-26 (NKJV)

“Now Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the Lord, more than all who were before him.” 1 Kings 16:30

Instability. It is the sign of a nation without a moral compass. If we focus too much on the narrative of each king’s reign, we will conclude that their instability is caused by 1) Choosing the wrong Cabinet Members, 2) Drunken Diversions, 3) Short-Sightedness, 4) the Folly of Trivial Pursuits, 5) the Downside of Diplomatic Alliances.

But the message that God is blaring through His prophetic megaphone is that instability is caused by IDOLATRY. And Idolatry, by the way, is simply stepping away from God’s Word and trusting in another source to provide guidance and establish stability.

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night.” Psalm 1:1-2 (NKJV)

Any nation who trusts in the Word of the Lord will find stability, but even nations founded on the Word of the Lord will lose their stability if they depart. So, let’s break it down to the pedestrian level because a nation is the sum of its individual citizens. If we want to see our nation return to stability, we must personally return to the Lord, praying and seeking His Word. And we must plead with others to join us! Revival will not be leveraged from a stage or platform. Revival begins with you and me pursuing the written Word and sharing the Living Word, Jesus. (John 1:1-14)

“Then the word of the Lord came to him: ‘Get up, go to Zarephath that belongs to Sidon and stay there. Look, I have commanded a woman who is a widow to provide for you there.’” 1 Kings 17:8-9 (HCSB)

The judge who presided over landlord-tenant cases in Fairfax County, Virginia, had a rather boring, business-as-usual job. But one Friday, something made him pause. A middle-aged deaf couple before him faced eviction for falling $250 behind in their rent. The landlord was insisting on a judgment against the couple. At that demand for justice, the judge abruptly left the courtroom, returning momentarily with two crisp $100 bills and a $50 bill in his hands. “Consider it paid,” he said as he leaned over the bench and handed his own money to the landlord’s shocked attorney. Who could have guessed that help would have come from, of all people, the judge?

Careful Bible readers should not be so surprised. We have seen that what is exceptional for a human judge can be typical for the Lord. He is not above using widows, ravens, and other unlikely agents to sustain His people, according to His Word.

In today’s passage, we see Elijah being sent by God to a widow. What is fascinating is her mailing address: “Get up, go to Zarephath that belongs to Sidon…” (v.9). Zarephath sat about 8 miles south of Sidon and thirteen miles north of Tyre. It was in the home of Jezebel’s father, Ethbaal.

Do you see the big picture? Elijah is headed for “Baalsville,” capital of “Gentileland”! Here, one of Baal’s subjects will learn to trust in the Lord’s Word, and she will find that the Lord will sustain her, even though Baal has left her hopeless and on the verge of death. The Lord will press her into service for the benefit of His prophet, yet in the process, He will give her far more than He demands of her.

Here is a Gentile woman basking in God’s mercy; here is grace that moves beyond the boundaries of the Jewish people and embraces one of Baal’s most hopeless pawns. This came at a time when Israel was rejecting God’s Word (along with the benefits of following it).

Jesus provoked the crowd of His hometown synagogue to want to kill Him by bringing today’s passage of Scripture up one Shabbat morning in Nazareth:

“But I say to you, there were certainly many widows in Israel in Elijah’s days, when the sky was shut up for three years and six months while a great famine came over all the land.” Luke 4:25-26 (HCSB)

The people wanted to stone Jesus, but we rejoice in His message. Why? He told the world that salvation is for ALL who, by faith, leave their pagan ways and follow Him. The exclusivity of the Messiah’s salvation is offered liberally to all who will take hold of it.

“In the eighteenth year of Israel’s King Jeroboam, son of Nebat, Abijam became king over Judah and reigned three years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Maacah daughter of Abishalom. Abijam walked in all the sins his father before him had committed, and he was not completely devoted to the Lord his God as his ancestor David had been.” 1 Kings 15:1-3 (HCSB)

Nothing good is said about Abijam. In fact, hardly anything is said about him. People hardly consider Abijam in Israel’s history, but when they do, they generally view him through one of two lenses: Rehoboam or David. That is, they either consider him no worse than Rehoboam or much worse than David. How you consider Abijam may reveal how you view and weigh the severity of your own sin.

Today, we will focus on Abijam’s “heart condition.” Abijam’s heart was aligned with the sins of his father. Now, to avoid confusion, it is important to point out that Abijam had TWO fathers, for both Rehoboam and David are technically his “father.” One is his immediate father, and the other is his forefather. These respective “fathers” constitute two models; sadly, Abijam chose Rehoboam as his pattern rather than David.

Big Question: If Abijam holds to the half-heartedness of Solomon and maintains the perversions of Rehoboam, why is there still a kingdom in Judah? Why doesn’t God say, “Enough!” to the line of David?

“But because of David, the Lord his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem to raise up his son after him and to establish Jerusalem. For David did what was right in the Lord’s eyes, and he did not turn aside from anything He had commanded him all the days of his life, except in the matter of Uriah the Hittite.” 1 Kings 15:4-5 (HCSB)

So, why is there still a kingdom in Judah? Because of David. Because of his faithfulness, but more than that – because of the LORD’s faithfulness to David. The Lord made a promise, and in that very promise, He seemed to recognize that David’s descendants might well be scoundrels. (2 Samuel 7:14b) But the kingdom remains – not because man obeys, but because God has decided.

Why don’t the kingdom and people of God vanish into the mists of history? Because God will not permit it. He has decided that His kingdom WILL come. Grace is not only greater but also more stubborn than our sins!

Followers of Jesus have a choice as to the extent of their obedience. If you choose to follow in the steps of your human forefathers, then, predictably, you will not fully enjoy the blessings of your salvation. If you choose to follow the pattern set forth by your Heavenly Father, the blessings remain and resound.

“Now the weight of the gold earrings that he [Gideon] requested was one thousand seven hundred shekels of gold, besides the crescent ornaments, pendants and purple robes which were on the kings of Midian, and besides the chains that were around the camel's necks.  Then Gideon made it into an ephod and set it up in his city, Ophrah.  And all Israel played the harlot with it there.  It became a snare to Gideon and to his house.  Thus Midian was subdued before the children of Israel, so that they lifted up their heads no more.  And the country was quiet for forty years in the days of Gideon.”  Judges 8:26-28 (NKJV)

I have been in the music business for all of my adult life.  While I no longer earn the bulk of my living as a touring musician, there was a time (in my mid-late 20s) when my band, Big Tent Revival, was very successful.  Every time we had a #1 radio song, the record company would give me a plaque commemorating the success. Every time I was nominated for a GRAMMY or Dove award - another plaque.  Pretty soon, the entire front room in my home was devoted to my success in the music business.  But eventually, it became a source of pride, a distraction in my own home.  It was as if my success, and the display thereof, had become an idol.  How?  Because it put too much focus on my past, to the point where it kept me from making faith steps into the future for fear of jeopardizing my coveted legend.

Gideon, the former coward-turned-military-hero, had an idea.  He did not want to set up a political dynasty, but he definitely wanted to be remembered as a hero.  So, he made a monument to his military conquests: A golden ephod made from spoils of the military campaigns he led.  And whose gold did he take?  The Ishmaelites.  

“Then he said to them, “Let me make a request of you: Everyone give me an earring from his plunder.” Now the enemy had gold earrings because they were Ishmaelites.” Judges 8:24 (HCSB)

Remember Ishmael, Abraham’s son, with Hagar, Sarah’s Egyptian slave?

“Then the Angel of the Lord said to her [Hagar]: You have conceived and will have a son. You will name him Ishmael, for the Lord has heard your cry of affliction.  This man will be like a wild donkey.  His hand will be against everyone, and everyone’s hand will be against him; he will live at odds with all his brothers.” Genesis 16:11-12 (HCSB)

Once Gideon’s golden ephod (to be worn by a priest) was installed on permanent display, the people of Israel saw it as a “good luck” charm and idol of past victories they could worship, as opposed to trusting God for future victory.

Eventually, I took most of those music business plaques off the walls of my home.  Some went to storage, and others made it to my office.  Being successful is not a sin; it just can’t dominate our lives.  We tend to worship the success the Lord brings instead of worshipping God, who has brought our success.

“The Angel of the Lord came, and He sat under the oak that was in Ophrah, which belonged to Joash, the Abiezrite. His son Gideon was threshing wheat in the wine vat in order to hide it from the Midianites. Then the Angel of the Lord appeared to him and said: ‘The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.’” Judges 6:11-12 (HCSB)

Most believers in Jesus have a favorite Biblical hero of the faith. We’d all love to be more like Jesus, but we generally choose guys like the apostle Paul or King David to identify. Ladies may choose Ruth or Esther.

Personally, I can identify with Gideon. He never considered himself a hero. He was just trying to get by. When we first meet Gideon, the Midianites raided Israel during harvest time. Gideon was secretly threshing his grain indoors because he was afraid of the Midianite raiders.

I identify with Gideon because he had no idea he was about to become a leader. As a matter of fact, he just wanted to be left alone. Gideon wished he were invisible, yet God was about to thrust him into the spotlight.

Because Gideon’s faith was low, he couldn’t visualize himself as a leader. So when the Angel of the Lord visited Gideon, He first pronounced Gideon as God created him: “Mighty Warrior.” God was letting Gideon know He desired to lead Israel through Gideon. God would be Gideon’s strength; therefore, an otherwise weak and low-esteemed individual was about to be at the center of God’s miraculous deliverance!

How do you view yourself? Are you a leader? More importantly, are you willing to let God lead you? If so, be prepared for the Lord to visit you during times of great trauma and stress. In a moment when you feel all hope is lost, perhaps, God may call you to act in a courageously faithful manner so that you can experience the victory, which is reserved for those who trust the Lord.

Are you willing to follow Him anywhere, anytime? Then the Lord is with you, mighty warrior!

“On that day Deborah and Barak son of Abinoam sang: When the leaders lead in Israel, when the people volunteer, praise the Lord. Listen kings! Pay attention princes! I will sing to the Lord; I will sing praise to the Lord God of Israel.” Judges 5:1-3 (HCSB)

Judges 5 is a song written on the heels of Israel’s defeat of Jabin, king of Canaan, and most notably, Sisera, his commander. It is one of the oldest songs in the Bible, which piques my interest, for I am a songwriter.

The song of Deborah is at once a historic retelling, rebuke, and exhortation.

As a historic text, it fills-in information not included in the battle’s original telling in Judges 4. For instance, the reader gains knowledge of which tribes fought and which ones ignored the call to battle. In the historic telling, all who hear the song are reminded of the faithful, the faithless, the lazy, the self-absorbed, and the fearful. Reuben had a searching of heart, Gilead ignored the call and chose to remain beyond the Jordan, Dan lingered at its ships, and Asher stayed in the safety of its harbors.

None of us is perfect, so we all have varied opinions on accountability. Generally, people would rather hold others accountable, yet they become overly sensitive the closer the accounting comes to their personal issues!

People are generally afraid and embarrassed about being called into account. It helps us to understand that the purpose of accountability is not to keep people “down.” Accountability exposes the root sin in our hearts, which is behind our destructive behaviors, attitudes, or thoughts. Once sin can be identified, it can be overcome. Accountability lifts us.

“…even if our conscience condemns us, that God is greater than our conscience, and He knows all things.” 1 John 3:20 (HCSB)

“…because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4b (HCSB)

Deborah was exposing the sin of the tribes who failed to fight to exhort and encourage them into following the Lord henceforth.

Deborah’s exhortation is one of cause and effect: When Israel’s leaders chose new gods, war came to its gates, and there was not a shield or spear to be found among 40,000 men. When its leaders led by trusting the Lord, people volunteered, and their faith ignited a chain reaction and encouraged a nation, resulting in victory. Let’s choose to fight!

“The Israelites again did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, after Ehud had died. So the Lord sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor. The commander of his forces was Sisera who lived in Harosheth of the Nations. Then the Israelites cried out to the Lord, because Jabin had 900 iron chariots, and he harshly oppressed them 20 years.” Judges 4:1-3 (HCSB)

Judges 4 is a story of salvation, and today’s passage underscores Israel’s need for salvation: “The Israelites again did what was evil in the sight of the Lord.” So the Lord “sold” them to another “master,” Jabin, and Jabin assigned them to his taskmaster, Sisera, who, with his force of 900 iron chariots, crushed Israel very efficiently. Israel is, again, in need of both physical deliverance (from Jabin and Sisera) and spiritual deliverance (their bondage to sin).

We should take note of the cycle of Israel’s sin: “again did what was evil.” (Evil = Baal worship; see 2:11). You see, it is difficult to be creative in sin. There is a certain monotony about sin because most of it has been done before, so we are doomed to repeat the same sins over and over. Sin is boring and routine (as are all habits), void of fresh excitement. The fast lane quickly becomes an old rut after a few laps. Evil never lends itself to originality; hence, there are two problems: Slavery and Staleness.

These verses allude to the pressurized piety of Israel: “after Ehud had died.” It was after Ehud died that Israel again did evil. This is a sample of what 2:19 was talking about. Take away the external restraint, and Israel displays her true character. There is something wrong with religion when its degree of fidelity depends solely on outside pressures, influences, and leadership. Thus, we are “Christian” only because of our surroundings or because of the expectations of believers around us. That scenario of forced piety/morality indicates a lack of a genuine internal work of God.

I once saw a T-shirt in a New Orleans souvenir shop that read: Jesus is coming. Everyone, look busy! That pretty much defines the “faith” of many people attending churches today. True faith is displayed by how you act and think when nobody is watching, knowing all the while that we are never hidden from the watchful eye of the Father, Son, and Spirit.

All that being said, when the influence Ehud exerted was taken away, Israel showed her real colors again. That is why genuine salvation consists not of giving glowing testimonies (like deliverance from Moab in chapter 3) but in departing from evil (2 Timothy 2:19). Not in relating glorious experiences with God but in living a consistent life (1 John 2:3-5, 3:9).

“These are the nations the Lord left in order to test Israel, since the Israelites had fought none of these in any of the wars with Canaan. This was to teach the future generations of the Israelites how to fight in battle, especially those who had not fought before.” Judges 3:1-2 (HCSB)

Make no doubt about it. The Lord was not pleased with Israel at this moment. Israel had sinned against Him by failing to drive out the former inhabitants of Canaan. Adonai had promised to ensure victory for each tribe who fought faithfully and boldly. So, what are we to make of this statement that God left some nations in Canaan to teach future generations of Israelites how to fight?

I am glad to know that God is not just the God of the “second chance.” (I used up my second chance years ago.) Rather, I rejoice in knowing that God is the God of “another chance.” Do you remember what Paul told the Church in Rome?

“We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those are called, according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28 (HCSB)

God will accomplish His purposes, regardless of our decisions. If we choose to obey and follow Him, He elects to go before us and bless us. If we choose to disregard the Lord, He will still accomplish His purposes while rebuking us. His will is not bound by our decisions, but our peace with Him is.

God had (and still has today) great purposes for Israel. (Romans 11) In Judges 3, Israel had settled among the Canaanites. Instead of driving them out, Israel had chosen to take Canaanite daughters as wives for themselves, give their own daughters to their sons, and worship their gods.

Israel’s choice of “inter-national” compromise ensured inevitable future warfare with those nations. This was not God’s desire for Israel. But His gracious mercy toward Israel was that He parlayed their bad faith decisions into a teaching scenario.

The Israelites needed rebuke because they had forsaken the Lord. On the other hand, they also needed to be preserved as a nation because God was raising up Messiah Jesus through their bloodline. All things worked together for the greater good of God’s purpose.

Ask yourself: Do you want God’s purpose for your life to be advanced by His GRACE through your faithful obedience or by His REBUKE to spite your rebellion?

“So be very diligent to love the Lord your God for your own well being. For if you turn away and cling to the rest of these nations remaining among you, and if you intermarry or associate with them and they with you, know for certain that the Lord your God will not continue to drive these nations out before you. They will become a snare and a trap for you, a scourge for your sides and thorns in your eyes until you disappear from this good land the Lord your God has given you.” Joshua 23:11-13 (HCSB)

You may have heard it said that Jesus paid the penalty for the sin of the World. We are all spiritually bankrupt, yet Jesus willfully chose to pay off our balance. In addition, He has promised to fill our accounts with His unending righteousness if we would, by faith, receive it by turning from our sin and following Him.

“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NKJV)

When reading that verse, “He made Him,” you may interpret it as saying that God made Jesus do something He would not otherwise have chosen, but Scripture clearly says that Jesus willingly laid down His own life because of His love for sinful mankind.

“This is why the Father loves Me, because I am laying down My life so I may take it up again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down on My own. I have the right to lay it down, and I have the right to take it up again. I have received this command from My Father.” John 10:17-18 (HCSB)

“But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ (Messiah) died for us.” Romans 5:8 (HCSB)

Joshua told Israel what the consequences of their sin would be, if they turned away from God. Their judgment would be a process of spiritual and national decline: God would cease driving away their enemies, and they would become ensnared by their enemies, trapped, scourged, and thorns would blind them until they disappeared from the land of Canaan.

Consider how Jesus paid Israel’s sin penalty compared to Joshua’s (above) exhortation. Messiah truly has borne the penalty for Israel’s turning away from God!

“So then Pilate took Jesus and scourged Him. And the soldiers twisted a crown of thorns and put it on His head, and they put on Him a purple robe. Then they said, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’ And they struck Him with their hands.” John 19:1-3 (NKJV)

Jesus has done the same for you and me. Moreover, by virtue of His resurrection, He is alive today and offers us eternal life if we repent and follow Him.

“The people worshiped the Lord throughout Joshua’s lifetime and during the lifetimes of the elders who outlived Joshua. They had seen all the Lord’s great works He had done for Israel. Joshua son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died at the age of 110. They buried him in the territory of his inheritance, in Timnath-heres, in the hill country of Ephraim, north of Mount Gaash. That whole generation was also gathered to their ancestors. After them another generation rose up who did not know the Lord or the works He had done in Israel.” Judges 2:7-10 (HCSB)

The generation that entered the land of Canaan with Joshua had seen the great works of the Lord! This was especially true for the eldest of that generation. As children, they had experienced God’s redemption from Egypt, His provision in the desert as young adults, and His deliverance into Canaan as old men. They had known the Lord’s great Grace because of His promise to their forefathers and His abundant mercy despite their sin.

One thing that the “deliverance generation” had failed to do was to communicate all their lessons to their children. They had failed to transfer the value of following God to the point where the next generation did not even know the Lord or the works He had done in Israel.

Their attitude towards building up the next generation was in direct disregard for the Lord’s command:

“Listen Israel, and be careful to follow them (the Lord’s commandments), so that you may prosper and multiply greatly, because the Lord, the God of your fathers, has promised you a land flowing with milk and honey. Listen, Israel: The Lord your God, the Lord is One. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart. Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Bind them as a sign on your hand and let them be a symbol on your forehead. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” Deuteronomy 6:3-9 (HCSB)

I have experienced both great grace and abundant mercy from the Lord. Allow me to encourage you to continue walking life’s path with me! Indulge me to retell my story in bite-sized daily installments and to impart Scripture lessons so that you will know the Lord and His works. This is so that you will be prepared to be 1) leaders in your generation and 2) impassioned to equip the next.

“The descendants of the Kenite, Moses’ father-in-law, had gone up with the men of Judah from the City of Palms to the Wilderness of Judah, which was in the Negev of Arad. They went to live among the people.” Judges 1:16 (NCSB)

The term “to go up” in the Jewish mindset denotes more than a person’s direction of travel. The Hebrew word is “aliyah” (ah-lee-‘yah). Aliyah is representative of “going up” to Jerusalem to worship.

Because modern Israel is a Jewish state, its government recognizes the birthright of all Jews throughout the world to immigrate. This process of repatriation is called “making aliyah.” In essence, by allowing Jews to immigrate, the State of Israel provides Jews the opportunity to “go up” and worship the Lord in Jerusalem.

When the Bible makes the point of including Moses’ “non-Jewish” relatives settling in the land as “going up,” it sends a powerful message. That is, Gentiles WERE allowed to settle in the land, and God considered them quite different from the Canaanites who fought against Israel. Moses’ in-laws had a legitimate, God-honoring place among God’s people.

There is no Old Testament Biblical record of the Lord denying any Gentile who honestly seeks to know and follow Him. On the other hand, He will rebuke and chastise His own children who turn away from Him.

The hope of this passage is that God wants for ALL men to come unto repentance, and He always has wanted it that way. He chose for the Kenites to be included alongside the Israelites as legitimate settlers. At the risk of being redundant, it is important for us to remember that God has always allowed Gentiles to believe in Him. Furthermore, He has always accepted those Gentiles (who converted from idolatry to Him) to be included alongside His own people. For example, Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba (the wife of the Hittite) were all Gentile women; yet we find them listed in the Davidic/Messianic genealogy of Matthew 1. Consider the words of the prophet Isaiah:

“No foreigner who has joined (converted) himself to the Lord should say, ‘The Lord will exclude me from His people.’” Isaiah 56:3a (HCSB)

These days (since the resurrection of Jesus), our spiritual identity is also not determined by our genetic bloodline; it is Messiah’s blood that counts! The test of a true follower of God is not, “Who’s your daddy?” Rather, it is, “Who’s your Father?”

“‘But take careful heed to do the commandment and the law which Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, to walk in all His ways, to keep His commandments, to hold fast to Him, and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul.’ So Joshua blessed them and sent them away, and they went to their tents.” Joshua 22:5-6 (NKJV)

There is a myriad of churches trying to connect with an unreached generation. I believe that most pastors have nothing but good motives and hearts to reach the lost and dying. But their methods of outreach vary to the extent that they are (at times) opposed to one another. So, what approach to ministry does God endorse? The simplest yet most difficult way: Read the Bible and do what it says.

You may laugh at that notion. You are not alone. Over the years, I have overheard people saying, “Surely, ministry is not that easy!” “Surely, we should be more sensitive towards people’s feelings than to preach the Word as written!” “Surely, you cannot tell people there is a Hell and a coming judgment for socially-acceptable sin!” “Surely, we should give more to the poor and preach and pray less!”

The God of all creation, the One not bound by cultural eras, has laid out a plan that is effective throughout the generations and extends for all eternity. Today’s passage of Scripture points out 5 things about God and our relationship with Him.

1) LOVE the Lord your God

2) WALK in His ways

3) KEEP His commandments

4) HOLD FAST to Him

5) SERVE Him with all your heart and soul

Consider these familiar verses in light of today’s passage:

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For by me (Wisdom) your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to you. If you are wise, you are wise for yourself (your own benefit); and if you scoff (mock), you (along) will bear the consequences.” Proverbs 9:10-12 (NKJV)

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right paths. Don’t consider yourself to be wise; fear the Lord and turn away from evil.” Proverbs 3:5-7 (HCSB)

“Jesus answered, ‘If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word. My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.’” John 14:23 (HCSB)

“But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not just hearers who deceive themselves.” James 1:22 (NASB)

“So the Lord gave Israel all the land He had sworn to give their fathers, and they took possession of it and dwelt in it. The Lord gave them rest all around, according to all He has sworn to their fathers. And not a man of all their enemies stood against them; the Lord delivered all their enemies into their hand. Not a word failed of any good thing which the Lord had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass.” Joshua 21:43-45 (NKJV)

How did Israel possess the land? The Bible says the Lord gave Canaan to Israel on the condition that Israel was willing to fight for it faithfully. Yes, Israel fought for the land, but their success was not proportional to their efforts. God went before them. Put bluntly, without God, Israel would have been completely wiped out the day they left Egypt, pre-Red Sea.

Joshua wanted to make the point of “God’s victory” abundantly clear. The inheritance of Canaan originated from and was fully established by: God. Israel’s “Shabbat” (rest) from their enemies was the result of God’s grace, not Israel’s righteousness or Joshua’s leadership.

This is a point Israel seemed to have forgotten in later years because the writer of the New Testament book of Hebrews noted:

“For if Joshua had given them rest, then He (Messiah) would not afterward have spoken of another day. There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.” Hebrews 4:8-11 (NKJV)

Jesus said, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 (NKJV)

Why was Israel allowed to inherit the land? It was because God is faithful to fulfill His promise.

“For every one of God’s promises is 'Yes' in Him (Messiah Jesus). Therefore, the 'Amen!' is also spoken through Him by God’s glory.” 2 Corinthians 1:20 (HCSB)

“Amen” means the affirmation of truth.

Do you want to be saved from the consequences of your sin? Salvation is affirmed in Messiah. Are you looking for rest from “the enemy”? Rest is found in Him. Do you desire the hope of God’s promise to never leave or forsake His children? Fulfillment is found in Jesus.

True “Shabbat Shalom,” the peace of God’s rest, is offered to all who would faithfully seize it! (Luke 16:16) Now, that is something worth saying “AMEN!” about!

“These are the cities appointed for all the Israelites and foreigners among them, so that anyone who kills a person unintentionally may flee there and not die at the hand of the avenger of blood until he stands before the assembly.” Joshua 20:9 (HCSB)

It is good to know that Satan is not our judge. He could never be fit to judge us because his only motive is to pervert justice. Yet, the Devil would love for us to believe that our cases have already been decided and we are simply awaiting God’s eternal punishment.

Good news: Our trial is not over. In fact, it hasn’t even begun.

“And just as it is appointed for people to die once – and after this, judgment.” Hebrews 9:27 (HCSB)

Good news: We have an advocate (defense attorney) in Jesus.

“For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” 1 Timothy 2:5 (NKJV)

Not only is Jesus our advocate, but His salvation is our refuge. Let’s look at the names of these cities of refuge listed in Joshua 20. Through these cities’ names, the Lord is painting a picture of Messiah.

Kadesh signifies “Holy,” and our refuge is Jesus’ holiness. Shechem means “A shoulder;” the government is upon His shoulder. Hebron is “Fellowship,” and believers are called into the fellowship of Messiah, our Lord. Bezer means “Fortification,” and Jesus is a stronghold to all who trust Him. Golan is “Joy and exultation,” for in Him, all believers are justified and will worship Him with great joy!

Many of us know the verse John 3:16. But do we know the verse that follows it?

“For God did not send His Son into the World that He might condemn the World; but that the World through Him might be saved.” John 3:17 (NKJV)

Have you received the refuge that Jesus freely offers? There will be a day of judgment, and a righteous Judge (the Lord God) will preside. Knowing this day is coming, how could we reject our only source of salvation? (Hebrews 2:3)

“These were the portions that Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun, and the heads of the families distributed to the Israelite tribes by lot at Shiloh in the Lord’s presence at the entrance to the tent of meeting. So they finished dividing up the land.” Joshua 19:51 (HCSB)

Under Joshua’s leadership, every Israelite was a co-inheritor of God’s promise concerning the land of Canaan. This meant that every tribe and every family was given a portion. Not every tribe and family were of equal proportion, but each received the inheritance God determined. Most importantly, each received an inheritance explicitly chosen for them by God, Himself.

In a similar way, the Bible tells us that followers of Jesus are “co-inheritors with Messiah.” And who is allowed to follow Jesus? John 3:16 states, “…that WHOSOEVER believes will not perish, but have eternal life.” In short, anyone.

To ensure a peaceful life in their inheritance, there were three requirements of the Israelite: 1) They had to receive it. 2) They had to drive out its former inhabitants, believing God’s promise of victory. 3) They had to continue to honor the Lord.

I want to make it clear that salvation is by God’s grace, through faith. Salvation is not the end result of an accumulation of “good works” we may accomplish. Ephesians 2:8-9

That said, faith without works is dead. There is a difference between “works” that lead to salvation and “works” that are the result of salvation. If you want to have peace as a believer - not necessarily the absence of conflict, but rather the presence of peace in the midst of conflict - you have to believe the Lord’s promise and fight to drive out those “former inhabitants.” If you trust Him, He will go before you and accomplish all you could not achieve without Him.

To maintain the peace and joy of our salvation, it is not enough to simply “receive” our inheritance through Messiah and then live as if nothing ever happened. Salvation is not about a single moment; it is a moment that results in movement. We must become disciples: followers who discipline themselves to continually seek the Lord’s direction and faithfully follow it.

“Now to Caleb the son of Jephunneh he (Joshua) gave a share among the children of Judah, according to the commandment of the Lord to Joshua, namely, Kirjath Arba, which is Hebron (Arba was the father of Anak) Caleb drove out the three sons of Anak from there: Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai, the children of Anak. Then he went up from there to the inhabitants of Debir (formerly the name of Debir was Kirjath Sepher). And Caleb said, “He who attacks Kirjath Sepher and takes it, to him I will give Achsah my daughter as wife.” Joshua 15:13-16 (NKJV)

Modern-day Hebron is a very troublesome place to live. Just watch the nightly news, and it is sure to come up. Hebron is the second largest (second only to Gaza) city in the so-called “Palestinian” territories. It is the fourth most holy site for Islam. It is also the second most holy city for Jews (second to Jerusalem) because it hosts the tomb of the patriarchs and matriarchs.

Historically, David reigned as king in Hebron for seven years, and Hebron was where Absalom declared his kingship. Samson took the gates of Gaza and carried them to Hebron. Throughout history, Hebron has been a difficult place. Of course, God would choose Caleb to take possession of it!

Caleb actually had a history with Hebron about 40 years earlier. When the 12 spies were sent out by Moses to survey the Promised land, 10 of the spies gave a negative report about Hebron, where the Anakim (sons of Anak) resided.

“Nevertheless the people who dwell in the land are strong; the cities are fortified and very large; moreover, we saw the descendants of Anak there. The Amalekites dwell in the land of the South; the Hittites, the Jebusites, and the Amorites dwell in the mountains; and the Canaanites dwell by the sea and along the banks of the Jordan.” Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.” Numbers 13:28-30 (NKJV)

Forty years have gone by, and almost nothing has changed with respect to the harshness of the land (hill country) or its people (Anakim – GIANTS). But more importantly, nothing had changed in Caleb’s faithfulness. Friends, we must fight to fully lay hold of what we have been endowed by grace. Yes, Jesus had paid the fullness of the penalty for our sin. Yes, we are saved by grace and not by works. But once we have received His atonement, we are given the charge to drive out those “former inhabitants,” old sin patterns. It is God’s command that we fight those former inhabitants, and by employing His Spirit, our victory is guaranteed.

The foe is no smaller (or greater) in our generation than it was in Caleb’s. Faithfulness among God’s people in our day is as rare as it was in Joshua and Caleb’s. Let’s be a generation that asks for the high and rocky land, one that does not fear in the presence of giants who are dwarfed by our mighty God!

“This was the inheritance of the tribe of the descendants of Ephraim by their clans, together with the cities set apart for the descendants of Ephraim within the inheritance of the descendants of Manasseh – all these cities with their villages. But, they did not drive out the Canaanites who lived in Gezer. So the Canaanites live in Ephraim to this day, but they are forced laborers.” Joshua 16:10 (HCSB)

Today’s passage continues the notion that Israel’s deliverance into Canaan is also a metaphor for our deliverance through Jesus. Once the major enemies had been destroyed, the individual Israelite tribes were tasked with driving out the rest of the land’s inhabitants.

This is a metaphor for us because, while Jesus has conquered sin and death, we are charged with the task of subduing our fleshly desires, our “former masters,” so to speak.

The apostle Paul said, “…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God who is working in you, enabling you both to desire and to work out His good purpose.” Philippians 2:12b-13 (HCSB)

Paul wasn’t telling the Philippians to work in order to earn their salvation. We are saved by ‘grace through faith,’ not of good works. (Ephesians 2:8-9) What Paul was saying is that Christians must work hard to drive out the “old self” in order to enjoy the fullness of our salvation, which was given to us from God by His grace. If we will fight, God will go before us, even giving us the will to fight if we choose to follow His leading.

In the same way, Israel was delivered into Canaan by God’s grace. But they would never enjoy the land until they removed the remaining insurgents. Think of the recent Middle East warring. The U.S.-led Coalition forces eliminated Iraq and Afghanistan’s ability to wage full-scale war years ago. Still, there will never be peace until all the terrorist insurgents are completely removed, either through death or complete surrender.

The tribe of Ephraim puts a new twist on “failure to dispossess.” Consider how some of the Judean family tribes (who believed they could not drive out the Jebusites) allowed some of the Jebusites to remain neighbors. Ephraim chose to make the remnant of Gezer their slaves.

Please, don’t rest until you have driven out ALL the “former inhabitants” of your land. You cannot be “neighbors” with your old sin nature, nor can you make it your “slave.” It will not be mastered because its nature is to master YOU! So, determine to kill the old self and deny its advances whenever it surfaces with a plan to negotiate you away from God’s great design for your life.

“As you see, the Lord has kept me (Caleb) alive these 45 years as He promised, since the Lord spoke this word to Moses while Israel was journeying in the wilderness. Here I am today, 85 years old. I am still as strong today as I was the day Moses sent me out. My strength for battle and for going out and coming in is now as it was then.” Joshua 14:10-11 (HCSB)

How long would you wait on the Lord? Five years? Five months? Five minutes? I believe we wait on God in direct proportion to our understanding of His promise.

Caleb and Joshua believed God’s promise. So when they returned from scouting the land, what they observed in Canaan was arbitrary to the fact that God promised they would take the land. The bad news for their generation was that almost everyone believed the faithless reports - everyone except Joshua and Caleb. This should be a lesson to us all: Live faithlessly, and reap the fruits of faithlessness. Live faithfully and experience unseen things miraculously realized.

Caleb was 40 years old when he and Joshua scouted the Promised Land. At the age of 85, he was given the opportunity to take the land again. He could have complained or blamed his fear on his old age, but Caleb was energized by the opportunity. How so?

Caleb understood faith. Faith says, “I can’t, but God can.” As a young man, he didn’t trust his youthful strength. And when he was an old man, he wasn’t deterred by his physical limitations. Was Caleb endowed with supernatural strength? I don’t believe so. Caleb had faith.

If God promises victory, it really has nothing to do with your strength. God is your strength. You simply have to believe and work as hard as you can. He will supply what we lack. I say, “simply believe,” but the resolve to fight is more than intellectual assent. It is faith-in-action. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God, the Bible.

Putting God’s Word into action is your decision. God has already decided to give you victory if you faithfully follow Him.

Whether you’re 18 or 80, have faith and courage. God will be your strength!

“Now Joshua was old, advanced in years. And the Lord said to him: ‘You are old, advanced in years, and there remains very much land yet to be possessed. This is the land that yet remains…’” Joshua 13:1-2a (NKJV)

In chapters 13 and 14, the Lord quickly turned Israel’s focus from past victories to unconquered land. The first thing the Lord does is strengthen Israel’s leader, Joshua. Aging warriors are more pitied than remembered. At a point where Joshua may have “felt” unable to fight, God declares him “able.”

Personally, I love how God begins by acknowledging Joshua’s obvious physical limitations. “You’re old, advanced in years.” I’ve heard it said that you’re only as young as you feel. God was letting Joshua know He was aware of his advanced years. But more important than Joshua’s age was God’s promise of victory!

“Don’t stop!” Those were the words of my college Cross Country coach, Jay Flannigan. I had been resting an injury for a week when it came time for our meet at Murray State University. Because I didn’t feel able to run, my coach convinced me to run the first 2 miles of a six-mile race. At the end of 2 miles, I was in 1st place, so coach yelled out, “Don’t stop! I’ll see you at the next mile marker!” I yelled out, “I’m hurting! He responded, “You’re winning!”

For the next 4 miles, Coach Flannigan and I had the same discussion at each mile marker. I wanted to quit at the end of every mile, and Coach kept saying, “You can’t quit while you’re in 1st place!” That day, not only did I win the race, but I set a course record.

Perhaps, you’re tired of running the race of “Faith.” Maybe you feel like you’re too old or too young to rise to whatever occasion the Lord is calling you. Keep running! Keep on believing! It’s the only way to win.

God will go before us when we invest our faith in action. We have faith because we have a promise. We gain understanding of His promise when we commit to study His word. Then, when we pray, “How should I employ Your Word in my life?” He gives us a plan, HIS PLAN, which guarantees success in what He has called us.

True success is not a matter of age or lack thereof. Success, in God’s eyes, is when His people move out in faith. He provides the calling and equipping, but we must respond in obedience before He will provide the increase.

“Moses the Lord’s servant and the Israelites struck them down. And Moses the Lord’s servant gave their land as an inheritance to the Reubenites, Gadites, and half tribe of Manasseh. Joshua and the Israelites struck down the following kings of the land beyond the Jordan to the west, from Baal-gad in the valley of Lebanon to Mount Halak, which ascends toward Seir (Joshua gave their land as an inheritance to the tribes of Israel according to their allotments)” Joshua 12:6-7 (HCSB)

Under the leadership of Moses, the Lord delivered Israel from the bondage of Egypt and led them to the edge of the Jordan. Under Joshua’s leadership, the Lord allowed Israel to cross the Jordan and conquer the major kingdoms in Canaan. Between Moses and Joshua, 31 kings were killed.

The Exodus was long past, and the major obstacles in Canaan were completely destroyed. Now, it only remained for the individual Israelite tribes to dispossess the remaining inhabitants and claim their tribal allotments.

In what may seem like a simple transitional chapter, I believe there is a profound message here that is relevant to us: Finish the work! By now, you are familiar with the idea that Israel’s deliverance is also a metaphor for our deliverance through Messiah, Jesus. Moses represents the Law, and Joshua is a messiah figure, so now the story focuses on our part.

When we share the gospel, the first thing we convey is that all men are sinners. God’s standard (as articulated in the Bible) exposes man’s sin by laying out God’s character and His standard. The law cannot save us, but it can draw us out from the world, seeking the God Who sets the standard. Likewise, Moses led Israel out of Egypt, following the Lord, but Moses could not deliver them into the “promised land.”

Joshua led Israel across the Jordan and defeated all the major enemies in the land. The land was Israel’s. But then, each tribe had the challenge of driving out the remaining inhabitants. Israel’s success in the land was dependent upon their willingness to trust God to go before them, not as a nation, but as individual tribes. God’s relationship with Israel became increasingly personal: A “mixed multitude” leaves Egypt; Israel takes its national inheritance; independent tribes pursue their personal allotments.

Similarly, Jesus defeated the major enemies of mankind: death and sin. Salvation is completely by Grace through Faith in Jesus. Yet enemies remain in the form of our “former inhabitants,” aka our lingering sin nature. It is our challenge to drive out the remaining “inhabitants” so that we may fully thrive in our deliverance by God’s grace when we faithfully place our trust in Jesus. Of course, God gives us the same encouragement He gave Israel. He will gracefully go before us, and we will defeat those “former inhabitants” if we will trust His Word and fight by faith!

“At that time, Joshua proceeded to exterminate the Anakim from the hill country – Hebron, Debir, Anab – all the hill country of Judah and Israel. Joshua completely destroyed them with their cities. No Anakim were left in the land of the Israelites, except for some remaining in Gaza, Gath and Ashdod. So Joshua took the entire land, in keeping with all that the Lord had told Moses. Joshua then gave it as an inheritance to Israel according to their tribal allotments. After this, the land had rest from war.” Joshua 11:21-23 (HCSB)

Who were the Anakim? They were the “giants in the land.” Remember the negative report concerning Canaan, which 10-of-the-12 spies gave to Moses?

“They reported to Moses: “We went into the land where you sent us. Indeed it is flowing with milk and honey, and here is some of its fruit. However, the people living in the land are strong, and the cities are large and fortified. We also saw descendants of Anak there.” Numbers 13:27-28 (HCSB)

Were there actual “giants” in Canaan? Yes. But should that have stopped Israel from trusting the Lord’s promise, “You will defeat them”? Obviously not! We all face spiritual opposition, and some of our battles are against spiritual “giants.” It would be utterly impossible for us to defeat them unless God were with us. And He is.

People generally don’t trust God because they don’t know Him well. They may know things about Him, but they don’t spend quality time with Him on a regular basis. I say it often, but Trust = Character/Time.

The best way to build your trust with the Lord is by experiencing His character through spending time in His Word, the Bible. In the Bible, we experience the triumphs and trials of people just like us. You experience God’s love and great promises but also His rebuke and judgment.

Israel is truly a nation of priests. It is through their story, the recount of their faithful choices (and faithless-ness), that we experience God’s character and interaction with people. Their story spans throughout history yet is condensed into a collection of relatively short books. Simply turn on the network news, and you can join their ongoing “narrative” in our generation, but you will never get the full story in its proper context until you personally and consistently seek God’s Word, the Bible. God’s Word should be the filter through which you view the World.

That being said, we will never defeat the “Giants” in our lives until we do as Joshua did:

“So Joshua took the entire land, in keeping with ALL that the Lord had told Moses.” Where do we learn all that the Lord commands, concerning defeating giants? And from what source do we muster the confidence to obey His commands? His revealed Word, the Bible. (Romans 10:17)