The world exists in a state uninhibited lust where people seek to satisfy all their desires through a plethora of ways. Does your life of devotion to God seem a meager fare that doesn’t meet your inner desires. Do you wonder why people who seek out the desires of their flesh prosper? Where do we turn for encouragement and strength to press on in this wicked world? If you have questioned wether a life of devotion to God is of greater worth than the lusts of the world you are not alone. In Psalm 73 Asaph, a leader of a temple choir, expresses his distress over the prospering wickedness all around him, “But as for me, my feet came close to stumbling, my steps had almost slipped. For I was envious of the arrogant as I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For there are no pains in their death, and their body is fat.” Psalm 73:2-4 Be on guard against the lies that seek to convince you that the ways of the world are greater than the way of God, “Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure and washed my hands in innocence; for I have been stricken all day long and chastened every morning.” Psalm 73:13,14 Continue Reading…
To rise above the torrent of uninhibited lust: Psalm 73
Delightful nourishment found in God alone: Psalm 1
Where is delight found? How are we to live in the midst of this sinful world as followers of Jesus Christ? Psalms 1 offers truths all believers need to understand. These six verses contrasts the lives of believers and sinners. What truths are gleaned from this Psalm? Don’t follow the advice of the sinners who tout their wisdom as greater than the wisdom of God. Don’t dwell and abide with sinners because their ways will become your ways. Find your delight in God alone by dwelling unceasingly on the things of God. Why should we care or even desire to meditate on the things of God? Continue Reading…
Cast aside and cling: a call to fast
This is a post I wrote for my churches August Fast. I pray that you will be challenged to consider fasting as you grow closer to God.
As we in unity gather to fast this August what is happening in our lives? What is the purpose of this fast? I have been entrenched in a multi-year project to blog through the Bible. What is the overwhelming theme and constant thought throughout the Old Testament? In Joshua chapter 23 the people of Israel are encouraged by Joshua to “cling to the Lord your God, as you have done to this day.” (Joshua 23:8) and to not “cling to the rest of [the] nations, these which remain among you” (Joshua 23:12). How does this relate to our August fast? Continue Reading…
God’s faithfulness evident in destruction and death: 1 Kings 15 and 16
I am continually amazed at how profitable the Bible is even when I initially think the chapters I am reading will be boring. 1 Kings 15 and 16 comes across as a prelude to the book of 2 Chronicles because you are given very quick snippets of the kings who reigned over Judah and Israel making it a little boring to read about all of the kings, sons, and their complete depravity without getting more details. Why was I initially bored with these two chapters in 1 Kings? The pattern displayed by these kings of Judah and Israel has been continually repeated throughout the Old Testament where men fall away from God and I was desensitized from all the repetition. What is the question that I could have been asking about these chapters? Why is God consistently repeating the how unfaithful men are and driving home the insufficiency in the ability of man? When we are faced with our limitation and inability we start to look at our lives and actions in a different way and we start looking for the true way to make it through life. All the repetition that is given throughout the Old Testament is a signpost to the all sufficiency of Jesus Christ. Continue Reading…
Disobedience kindles God’s anger towards Israel: Judges 1 and 2
In Judges 1 we see the first key to the falling away of the Israelites which was mentioned in Joshua. The Israelites conquered many areas of the promised land and drove out many inhabitants. Why did some of the sons of Israel not drive out all the inhabitants of the lands of their inheritance? The people did not follow God’s command to drive out the inhabitants of the land. What stands out to me is how both Moses and Joshua told the Israelites that this would be a problem for them. Continue Reading…
Falling away from God leads to your own demise: Joshua Summary
The book of Joshua is a stands in stark contrast to the books of Liviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. The writing of the book is in a narrative form which lends for easier reading. I found that the narrative was a great switch from the books detailing the law but it became too easy to miss important truths. The story of Joshua is a time of promises being fulfilled to the Israelites. Under the leadership of Joshua the Israelites were able to conquer the promised land and enter into a time of peace but there is a great warning woven throughout the book that is of the utmost importance to the people of Israel and myself. Continue Reading…
Cling to the Lord your God, not to this world: Joshua 23 and 24
What do you cling to? In the midst of the joyful, abundant, and peaceful times of your life what do you cling to? When you are faced with tribulation, trials, and death what do you cling to? The end of Joshua’s life has come and he is imparting final words of encouragement to the people of Israel. These words are centered on the the simple question of what will you cling to in the years to come. What will they choose to cling to?
As I read Joshua 23 I am filled with amazement at the last words of this leader of Israel. At the age of one hundred and ten Joshua knows that it is time for him to impart his closing words exhorting the sons of Israel just as Moses did throughout Deuteronomy. What can you tell a nation so that they will not fall away from the God that has brought them peace and prosperity? Continue Reading…
God’s faithfulness proved in fulfillment of promise: Joshua 21 and 22
I am stunned today during my time reading in Joshua chapters 21 and 22. The words seemed to come to life as I read them. It can be easy to just read through the Bible just to finish a particular book or chapter. It was encouraging to see how scripture is fulfill which God promised and proclaimed to the Israelites. God is faithful to complete all that He promises us and that is a great encouragement. The Levites receiving cities to dwell in and the tribes of Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh returning home after the other tribes were at rest testifies to the faithfulness of God. Continue Reading…
Stumbling blocks, careful you don’t fall: Joshua 19 and 20
The sons of Simeon, Zebulun, Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and Dan were given their inheritance by lot from Joshua and Eleazar in Joshua 19. I continue to find it interesting how all these tribes are laid out throughout the promised land. It is easy to just read these chapters and not see anything that stands out because I have no knowledge of the region or cities. In the midst of these verses describing the dividing of the land the sons of Simeon and Dan inheritances stood out. Continue Reading…
Strong spiritual leadership a catalyst for success: Joshua 17 and 18
Dividing the inheritance of each tribe is continuing in Joshua chapters 17 and 18. It was easy for me to think that the division of land was a simple task that would be accomplished quickly and easily. I forgot that there were many thousands of people within each tribe that needed to move all their families, livestock, and belongings into the lands of their inheritance. That would be a major undertaking. What did people think then they moved to take their inheritance? As the tribes moved to the land they inherited was there a sense of loss as they left the camp around the Tabernacle? I would think that this time was bitter sweet because they were inheriting the promised land but everyone encamping around the Tabernacle was ending. Continue Reading…
