SOAP 03/22/2014 Joshua 12:7

Today's reading: Joshua 12, 13, 14; 1 Corinthians 7


S) "⁷ Now these are the kings of the land whom Joshua and the sons of Israel defeated beyond the Jordan toward the west, from Baal-gad in the valley of Lebanon even as far as Mount Halak, which rises toward Seir; and Joshua gave it to the tribes of Israel as a possession according to their divisions,"

Joshua 12:7  (NASB)

O) In all, Joshua goes on to list 31 separate kings that the Israelites defeated. Somehow, that number had escaped me in the past. I knew that the peoples they defeated, included several different people groups, but I didn't realize they had split it up so much. Granted, given the history of this area, these 31 kings were more like governors of city-states, but still! It's also incredible to consider, that the Israelites filled this void with a single nation of people! God's plans are so much bigger than we can know from the start of our journey.

A) The victories we have in the LORD are truly endless. It doesn't matter how many nations, or how many kings, or how many armies or tall walls we face. When God leads, when He commands, victory and favor belong to Him and are His to give. I want to be faithful to be used for the victories He lays before me. I should also get around to chronicling my own victories in Jesus...

P) Father, I don't know how many "nations" and "kings" I have before me, but I trust in Your name and Your power to deliver me into victory. I know You have a plan and You will fight for me. I know I have a part to play, but I want to do it in obedience, with You going before me, and preparing my way. Let me be faithful and obedient, while You are faithful and victorious. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 03/21/2014 Joshua 9:14

Today's reading: Joshua 9, 10, 11; 1 Corinthians 6


S) "¹⁴ So the men of Israel took some of their provisions, and did not ask for the counsel of the Lord."

Joshua 9:14  (NASB)

O) Israel was fooled into believing that the Gibeonites were from a far-off land. Not thinking them to be inhabitants of the Promised Land, they agreed to make a treaty with them, and not destroy them. They relied on their own wisdom and understanding, believing the evidence before them was proof.

A) The truth of the matter, is that, even when I have good reason to believe what I see, that doesn't mean what I see is truth. I might believe the evidence before me is telling me something - even something seemingly obvious - but if I am not inquiring of the LORD, then I don't truly know.

P) Father, open my eyes to see things as You see them. Show me the truth of the evidence I see. Reveal to me when I am being deceived, to know when and where there is risk, when I am unaware. I cannot see clearly, and You can. I cannot know fully, and You do. Guide me and correct me, LORD, even before I am deceived. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 03/20/2014 Joshua 7:13

Today's reading: Joshua 7, 8; Psalm 69; 1 Corinthians 5

S) "¹³ Rise up! Consecrate the people and say, 'Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, for thus the Lord, the God of Israel, has said, "There are things under the ban in your midst, O Israel. You cannot stand before your enemies until you have removed the things under the ban from your midst."'"

Joshua 7:13  (NASB)

O) Israel was recently defeated (vv.1-5), so Joshua comes facedown before the LORD (v.6) until evening, when he then prays to God. He's quite confused and discouraged (vv.7-9), when God gives His reply. The above verse (taken from vv.10-15), really seems to sum up the whole story with several points of emphasis.
1) God is a King of kings. He wants us to rise! We must be humble, but we should have His confidence.
2) God is holy, so we should be holy. There can be no sin among God's people.
3) We cannot fight to overcome the consequences of sin.
4) Victory only comes after sin is removed.

A) Sometimes I feel (and even react) exactly like Joshua. I realize a mistake has, or will, cost me. Then, my instinct is to fruitlessly speculate about what I should or should not have done. This is not the same as repentence, though. In the above verse, God reveals the root of the problem, then follows it with a command to purify the camp again. God doesn't want me to wallow in the messes I've created. I need to rise up, acknowledge my sin, humbly submit to His sovereignty, and repent. Then, God willing, I can recover what I was meant to have or do (like Joshua, going up against Ai).

P) Father, forgive me for my sins. I can see clearly some of my transgressions, but reveal to me any hidden sin in my heart and life. You are my holy God, and I want to be Your holy servant. I know that I cannot overcome the consequences of my sins on my own. I repent of my sins. Take them from me, and cleanse me, and let me be sanctified again. According to Your will, please restore whatever could be lost. Command me to go where You will, and do what You declare. Thank You for mercy and grace. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 03/19/2014 Joshua 3:4

Today's reading: Joshua 3, 4, 5, 6; 1 Corinthians 4

S) "⁴ However, there shall be between you and it a distance of about 2,000 cubits by measure. Do not come near it, that you may know the way by which you shall go, for you have not passed this way before."

Joshua 3:4  (NASB)

O) This verse is a little disjointed, I think because of the literal translation of the NASB, making the punctuation a little bit choppy. In more dynamic translations, it makes a little more sense. For example, in NIV, the same verse says,
"⁴ Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before. But keep a distance of about two thousand cubits between you and the ark; do not go near it."
What comes across are two major points. First, God is holy. He is holy, and perfect, and dangerous, and pure, and powerful, and we cannot approach Him in our sinfulness, even though we might strive to follow Him. Even though we are looking for Him to direct our paths, we can only follow at a distance. Second, God is adventurous. I've endeavored to explore unknown parts a few times over the years. Sometimes afoot in the woods, sometimes in a car in a city. It can be a little dangerous, and stressful, but ultimately exciting. There are usually calculated risks involved, but the element of risk is crucial to making it an adventure. I have, on many more occasions, followed someone else into an unknown area. This, to me, is the best kind of adventure - the kind with a guide. There's the excitement of the unknown, but there is the comfort of the leader being at hand. I don't know what I'm doing, but He does.

A) I want to take two roles here, as a follower and a leader. I want to follow God into adventures. Over and over, throughout the whole of the Bible, the LORD calls men into adventures of unknown regions, where He leads on ahead of them. He calls to them from within the adventure. I want to answer that call again and again, willing to take the risks He's presenting because I have the comfort of knowing that He will guide me through parts unknown. And I also want to lead my family on adventures. Physical adventures are fun, but I really mean spiritual, eternally-impactful adventures. I want to be the first to jump, and show them that it's safe because we're following where the LORD is going before us.

P) Father, embolden me to follow and lead. I want to rediscover an adventure. I don't know how that looks, but I know that I want it. Where You go, I want to go. The wife You've given me, Father, she is exceedingly good. I know, because she's proven it, that she is willing to follow where I lead, when she knows You're leading me. And my kids, help me to raise them, even at their current age, to trust and do the same. To realize that there is no better life than one that chases after You with reckless abandon. That's what I want to exemplify to them, that's what I want them to experience growing up into adulthood. Reveal the path to me, LORD. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 03/18/2014 Psalm 37:23-24

Today's reading: Joshua 1, 2; Psalm 37; 1 Corinthians 3

S) "²³ The steps of a man are established by the Lord,
And He delights in his way.
²⁴ When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong,
Because the Lord is the One who holds his hand."

Psalm 37:23-24  (NASB)

O) This such a wonderful picture of a loving father. I can't even tell you how many times I've held the hand of one of my children as they were toddling along, and they stumbled along the way. Because I was holding their hand, at times even anticipating their fall, I was able to save their knees from scrapes and their cheeks from tears. The really telling thing, is that there were countless times when my children didn't want to hold my hand. I knew very well that it was for their own safety, but they still resisted. Even without any real threat, I love holding the hands of my children, keeping them close, spending time with them.

A) Putting myself into the shoes of the toddler, it is an incredible comfort to know the LORD wants to be the One who holds my hand. However, everything rests on the first line of verse 23. My steps must be established by the LORD. I can only hold my child's hand, if my child is walking by my side. In the same way, I can only expect God to delight in my ways, to hold my hand, to prevent my fall; if my steps are first established by the LORD. I need to remember two things: 1) holding His hand is for my safety. 2) He desires to hold my hand, even if the way is not particularly dangerous.

P) Father, I long to walk in Your ways, only. On my own I am hopelessly lost. I know that when I wander around without You, it's only a matter of time before I am going to stumble. The only assurance I have of Your saving and holding hand, is if I am walking along the way that You establish, LORD. Let me be eager to seek Your ways in earnst. Give me comfort and confidence in Your sustaining hand. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 03/17/2014 Deuteronomy 34:7

Today's reading: Deuteronomy 32, 33, 34; 1 Corinthians 2

S) "⁷ Although Moses was one hundred and twenty years old when he died, his eye was not dim, nor his vigor abated."

Deuteronomy 34:7  (NASB)

O) I have great eyesight. Growing up, I constantly heard people tell me that my eyes are great while I'm young, but don't expect it to last forever. Even now, people tell me about how great their sight was until such-and-such years old, and how everyone needs glasses eventually. The thing is, in light of the above verse, that is biblically false! Even with other, current examples, clearly not every old person needs glasses. While I cannot reasonably expect to have the same grace Moses had in these regards, I also have no reason to doubt. God gave Moses an unfailing vigor and eyesight, for His purpose, so why can't He do the same through me?

A) For a long time, I took pride in my eyesight. I mean, my eyes aren't like, super-hero status, but it was sort of a parlor trick. People would hear I had good eyesight, and they would sort of test me. Then I'd take the opportunity to try and impress them by reading some sign from very far away. It sort of became a piece of my identity. Since then, over the years, God has humbled my heart, to realize every gift is given in grace, and should be used for His glory. I don't know that my eyesight will ever be used in biblical proportions, but I know my wife finds it helpful from time to time. The main point is to be sure I am humble and willing about it, giving credit and availability to God. In the meantime, I'll look to Moses as another example of God breaking down our ideas of what should happen "naturally." Maybe I'll live to be 120 years old. Maybe I'll have perfect eyesight and vigor until the very day I die. There's no reason to believe otherwise.

P) Father, thank You for the eyes You have given me. In humility, I ask that my eyes always see, both physically and spiritually. Let me, and every ability You've given me, be used by You, for Your glory Lord. Continue to build my faith about how You can use me, in both great and small ways. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 03/16/2014 Deuteronomy 31:19

Today's reading: Deuteronomy 30, 31; Psalm 40, 1 Corinthians 1


S) "¹⁹ Now therefore, write this song for yourselves, and teach it to the sons of Israel; put it on their lips, so that this song may be a witness for Me against the sons of Israel."

Deuteronomy 31:19  (NASB)

O) The song mentioned here is given in Deuteronomy 32:1-43. Not all songs qualify as Scripture, obviously (although, there is an entire book of them in the Psalms!), but often enough, a song is a wonderful way to remember important things. Beyond that, the part of this verse that really stood out, what the fact that this song was to, "be a witness... against the sons of Israel." Granted, again, this particular song was included in the Holy Bible. So, obviously, it carries with it the power to convict our hearts, since it is indeed, part of the Word. Still, there have been many songs over the years that have served the same purpose for me.

A) Allowing myself to be taught goes against my own sinful nature. By nature, I am quite arrogant and offended at the thought someone would teach me anything. By the grace of God, I have become (at least by comparison to my old self), much more teachable. I need to continue to humble my heart, to receive instruction, and allow for the Holy Spirit to convict me through the songs of others, as often as He wants. As a musician (or at least, a drummer), and a bit of an audiophile, it can be hard to hear some songs - not because of a poor message, but because of (what I perceive, at least) poor craftsmanship. Again, though, humility is key. So what if the song is pop and meant to appeal to my daughter? If the artist has a message that glorifies my God, then I need to be humble enough to hear that message. It could very well be that the lyrics of that song are serving as a witness against me.

P) Father, forgive my arrogance. Continue to open my ears to receive what You are calling for me. Use whatever media You see fit, God, to get a message to me. Shape me, mold me, break away the hardness of my heart, and unplug my ears. Let me hear Your words through any person, in any form. Make me sensitive to know what You're saying. Let me hear. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.