Listening to the Word

Judges 6-7; Psalms 52; 1 Corinthians 14   “The Lord turned to him and said, ‘Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?’” Judges 6:14 Gideon’s acknowledged weakness and fear were not barriers to God using him. If Gideon had denied that he was weak and afraid, that would have presented a greater problem. The angel’s simple command to Gideon was to go in the strength that he had, and the Lord was with him. In our weakness, God’s strength and sufficiency are made perfect (2 Corinthians 12:9). God’s grace is enough for us. When Jesus says, “Go and make disciples of all nations”, he also says, “and I will be with you, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:19, 20). Later, Gideon, being filled with the Holy Spirit, blew a trumpet mobilizing the tribes of Israel. Yet too many Israelites responded to the mobilization call and the Lord had to reduce their numbers.   Why? …because pride is our greatest enemy, even greater than fear. It was i...

Judges 4-5; Psalms 39,41; 1 Corinthians 13   “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude [does not dishonor others], it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails…” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 In the midst of the Church’s fascination with signs and wonders, well executed strategy, and leadership impact, it is love that never fails. Love that is patient and kind requires us to slow down and pay attention to people around us. When there is conflict, we don’t dishonor others, are not easily angered, and keep no record of wrongs. That kind of practical love in conflict is costly. The kind of strong, agape, covenant love Paul spoke about always protects, trusts, hopes, and perseveres in relationships. This is more than an emotion; it becomes a way of being. Our j...

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...