Listening to the Word

Judges 1-3; 1 Corinthians 12   “But when they cried out to the Lord, he raised up for them a deliverer, Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother, who saved them. The Spirit of the Lord came upon him, so that he became Israel’s judge and went to war. The Lord gave Cushan-Rishathaim king of Aram into the hands of Othniel, who overpowered him. So the land had peace for forty years…” Judges 3:9-11 The Lord “sold” Israel into the hands of the Arameans because of their prostitution to idols and other gods. The way of deliverance began with Israel crying out to the Lord. It was God who then anointed Othniel with his Holy Spirit to lead Israel in deliverance. It was God who then gave the Aramean king into the hands of Othniel, who overpowered him. It was Israel’s relationship with God which was the key to their bondage and their deliverance. How do we respond when we, too, are enslaved by powers too strong for us? Do we try to fight the powers, addictions, and enslaving habits, or do ...

Joshua 23-24; Psalms 44; 1 Corinthians 11   “Then you crossed the Jordan and came to Jericho…but I gave them into your hands. I sent the hornet ahead of you, which drove them out before you – also the two Amorite kings. You did not do it with your own sword and bow. So I gave you a land on which you did not toil and cities you did not build…” Joshua 24:11-13 At the close of Joshua’s life and leadership-journey, he wanted to make it very clear to Israel that it was the presence of God that had provided their inheritance in Canaan. We, too, can forget who has given us our health, wealth, family, and opportunities for meaningful service. It was not Israel’s sword or bow which won the battles; it was the hand of God. Do we value the presence of God in our lives, or do we take this for granted? Are we fond of telling our stories, or God’s stories? Israel lived in cities they did not build and ate fruit from trees they did not plant. We, too, have been given an inheritance of faith and p...

Joshua 21-22; Psalms 47; 1 Corinthians 10   “God reigns over the nations; God is seated on his holy throne. The nobles of the nations assemble as the people of the God of Abraham, for the kings of the earth belong to God; he is greatly exalted…He chose our inheritance for us…” Psalm 47:8, 9, 4 The Lord chose to give life to each one of us. Our life comes from him and will return to him. The Lord reigns over the nations, even those who have chosen to rebel against him and serve fallen powers. The Lord has determined the times and places in which we live so we would seek him and find him (Acts 17:26). The Lord has chosen our inheritance in his kingdom. This inheritance includes our salvation from sin, but also our best contributions to his kingdom-mission through good works which he prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10). All of this must cause us to worship God. As we offer our lives to him again today, let’s thank God for the nation we are called to reach with the gospel...

Joshua 18-20; 1 Corinthians 9 “The seventh lot came out for the tribe of Dan clan by clan. The territory of their inheritance included: Zorah, Eshtaol…Timnah, Ekron…Gath… (But the Danites had difficulty taking possession of their territory, so they went up and attacked Leshem, took it, put it to the sword and occupied it.)” Joshua 19:40, 45, 47 Just because the tribe of Dan was assigned an inheritance by the Lord, this didn’t mean they would possess it. The Philistine giants who occupied Gath and the coastal cities wouldn’t give up their territory without a fight. There is no record of the Danites ever engaging in that fight. Later it was Samson who engaged the Philistines at Timnah, and David who defeated Goliath from Gath and his four brothers. What promises, assignments, and inheritance has the Lord give to us? Are we contending in prayer, by faith, for that inheritance? What is opposing our inheritance in the kingdom of God? Have we identified the spiritual giants? Are we resisting...

Joshua 15-17; 1 Corinthians 8   “…Manasseh also had Beth Shan, Ibleam and the people of Dor, Endor, Taanach and Megiddo…Yet the Manassites were not able to occupy these towns, for the Canaanites were determined to live in that region.” Joshua 17:11, 12 The tribe of Manasseh wanted more land as their inheritance, but they were unwilling to engage the Canaanites in battle. The Canaanites of that region were determined to occupy their cities and defend them. This was the land of the Perizzites and Rephaites, the giants that had intimidated Israel. By not confronting these enemies, the Israelites sowed the seeds for future defeats. Israel’s first king, Saul, was publicly displayed on the walls of Beth Shan following his death in battle. It was from Endor that a witch was found to summon the spirit of Samuel and provide counsel to Saul in his final hours. When we allow strongholds of fear, lust, anger, and greed to live in our lives, they will try to destroy the life of Christ within us...

Joshua 12-14; 1 Corinthians 7 “What I mean, brothers, is that the time is short…those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away…but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 7:29, 31, 35 Paul’s ethical teaching on marriage and sexual behavior was guided by a sense of urgency concerning the return of Jesus. Paul’s accountability to Jesus and his mission meant that civilian affairs had to be put in their proper place. Becoming “engrossed” in the things of this world can easily replace our first love for Jesus and his mission. For Paul, this even extended to his understanding of marriage. He chose to remain single in order to serve Christ.   If we were to ask those close to us what they think we are devoted to, what would they say? Do we live with a sense of urgency related to Christ’s mission-call on our lives and the imminence of Christ’s return? “Lord Jesus, all I am and ...