SOAP 04/24/2015; Joshua 14:14

Today's reading: Joshua 14

S) " ¹⁴ Therefore, Hebron became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite until this day, because he followed the Lord God of Israel fully."

Joshua 14:14  (NASB)

O) The Israelites had come into their Promised Land, and Caleb had now approached Joshua about the specifics of his own promised land. When he and Joshua spied out the Promised Land for Moses, they were the only two men (of the twelve that went), who believed that the LORD would deliver the Land into their hands. Because of that faith, that trust in the word and power of God, Caleb was promised that the land where he stepped would be his. But, that time he spent spying out the Land, and the promise he received because of his expressed faith in the face of obvious danger and also peer pressure, was only a sliver of his life and attitude toward God. The verse above reveals so much more than that. Hebron was not given to Caleb simply because he was a faithful spy. Caleb was blessed because he followed the LORD God of Israel fully.

A) Caleb is one of my favorite people in the Bible. The story of Joshua and him spying out the Land, and being the only two to bring back a favorable report, had been one of my favorite Old Testament stories as a child (although, somehow I'd always had the impression that he was much younger at that time. He was actually 40, which we learn in v.7). I love that he held onto his promise for 45 years, seeing that God was faithful to keep him alive throughout that time (see v.10). All of that time, he had been preparing himself to take hold of the promise God had for him. He was just as strong at 85 years old as he was at 40 years old. But, his tenacity, his strength, his focus, all of that comes secondary to his faithfulness in following the LORD his God fully. It is important for me to remember the promises I have in God. It is important for me to remain ready to act upon God's commands (and the leading of the Holy Spirit). It is important for me to be in good physical shape. But, none of this is as important as me following the LORD God fully.

P) Father, You are faithful to accomplish everything You say that You will. You are sovereign, to promise and do whatever You will. And, You are full of compassion and lovingkindness, blessing Your servant in grace and mercy. I have every reason to believe Your every word. I have every reason to follow You with all of my mind, soul, and strength. I confess that I am weak, and I fail to follow You fully. As I sit here, in the truth of Your scriptures, I am sobered by this fact. I want to follow You fully, Lord God. I want every part of me to be devoted to You. Everything You ask of me, it is Yours, Father. When I am 85 years old (if I am blessed to be so old), I pray that I am as healthy as I may be at 40 years old. But, when I am dead from this world, called to Your glory, I pray that it can be said of me that I was blessed because I followed You fully. Let Your will be done in, and with, my life. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 04/23/2015; Joshua 13:1

Today's reading: Joshua 13

S) "¹ Now Joshua was old and advanced in years when the Lord said to him, 'You are old and advanced in years, and very much of the land remains to be possessed.'"

Joshua 13:1  (NASB)

O) Backing up a little bit, we need to read this verse in a little bit of longer context. Moses led these Israelites through their great Exodus, showing them who the LORD really is. He showed them that the LORD is great, mighty, to be feared and worshiped. He showed them that the LORD loved them, and would protect them, provide for their needs, fight for them. All the while, he was preparing them to come into the land promised to them since their forefathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had served and worshiped and feared their God. But, Moses sinned. Moses was barred from the promise. He was disallowed entrance into the place they'd sought for forty years. Then, Joshua was told to take the place of Moses, leading the people of God. Those were very large shoes to fill. But, here he was filling them! The Israelites had come into their Promised Land, and Joshua led them in quite a few notable, miraculous victories while the LORD delivered kingdom after kingdom into their hands. But, even though Joshua hadn't committed any barring sin. He hadn't done anything to cause the LORD to exclude him from promises, but here he was advanced in years, with the promise still not finished, still not fulfilled. This is because these promises superseded Moses. These promises were bigger than Joshua. In truth, these promises were bigger than the people who had come into the land. These promises were not really about them, but about God Himself. These promises were about accomplishing God's will, revealing His glory. These promises were about blessing all nations through the seed of Abraham to the praise of the LORD. Moses was not going to fulfill the promises of God. Joshua was not going to fulfill them either. In fact, it would be almost 1500 years before God's promise would truly be fulfilled (in Christ).

A) Now, Joshua had left nothing undone by the will of God (see Joshua 11:15). He was obedient in accomplishing his missions as God laid them before him. But still, God told him he was nearing his end, with much work to be left beyond him. This was confirmation of a truth I must also accept: Joshua was not making anything happen. I am not making anything happen. God's will is beyond me. His plans are greater than my sphere of influence. I can do everything right, but that does not mean everything gets done. Sometimes I feel a pressure to get everything right. I must raise my kids right. I must evangelize my unsaved family. I must counsel everyone with perfect biblical wisdom. The truth is, though, that I may very well never see the fruit of my work. I might never see the end results. Yes, God gives me tasks. Yes, I have responsibilities and I must take them seriously. But, I can do everything right in raising my children, and when I am ready to die they might very well have a lot of life to live. I can share the gospel, give my testimony, answer every question, and give perfect biblical and godly counsel, yet never actually see any of it make an effect. This does not, however, mean that I have failed. This does not mean that I have left anything undone. I want to obey well. I want to do God's will. When my life is done, it is my hope that God, my Father says, "Well done, good and faithful servant; enter into the joy of your Master." (see Matthew 25:14:23). But, I cannot begin to think that I am going to make anything happen. I must find my satisfaction, not in the results, but in the obedience itself. My satisfaction must be found in my relationship to God, not in what I accomplish for Him. Joshua might very well have looked around near his death, and felt defeated emotionally. He might have looked at all of the land not yet possessed and thought he had messed things up. But, he hadn't. He did everything he was asked to do, but the fulfillment of promise was bigger than him. He could not make anything happen. I cannot make anything happen. I can only obey, and find satisfaction in my relationship with the LORD my God.

P) Father, I want to do. You are worthy of praise and worship. You are worthy of loyalty, obedience, and greatly to be feared. I want to do this for You, Lord. I want to make people know. I want to make my children have a right relationship with You. I want to make people accept the gospel. I want to make people take biblical, wise, godly counsel. But I cannot. I cannot make them. I cannot force the accomplishment of Your promises. I pray for Your will to be done. I pray that I am obedient in the call You have placed in my life. As a husband, father, relative, and friend, I want to do what You are calling me to do. But, I confess that even in my obedience, I cannot make anything happen. It still must be You, who fulfills the promises. Father God, I pray desperately, I pray solemnly, let Your will be done! Draw my wife into close relationship with You. Draw my children to authentic, right relationships with You. Soften their hearts, and the hearts of my relatives, to accept the truth and grace and mercy of the gospel. Let them be changed by the power of the gospel. Open the eyes and ears of my friends, and certainly guide my mind and words, so they hear and accept wisdom that is actually Yours, from You in truth. Help me to rest in Your overwhelming will, God. Your will is beyond me to accomplish. Your will, Your promises, go on beyond me. I am incapable of doing it, because I am only man, and You alone are God. Let Your will be done, Lord. When I am at the end of my days (I don't know when, but You know Lord), let Your will be done beyond my life. Strengthen me, and give me focus, to be obedient while I can. While there is still day, while strength is still in me, let me be obedient. And let Your will be done. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 04/22/2015; Joshua 11:15

Today's reading: Joshua 11

S) "¹⁵ Just as the Lord had commanded Moses his servant, so Moses commanded Joshua, and so Joshua did; he left nothing undone of all that the Lord had commanded Moses."

Joshua 11:15  (NASB)

O) There are a couple of interesting elements at work in this verse. Joshua and his armies were going through northern Palestine, here. They faced another coalition of kings, and the LORD delivered them all into the hands of the Israelites, because He is forever faithful. God was accomplishing, with Joshua, all of the things He commanded him to do. What is interesting about the verse above, though, is that it points out the commands Joshua had, at least in their initiation, were actually from Moses. God certainly spoke to Joshua too, giving him clarifying directions (as with ambushes, encouragements, etc.), but the original commands to come into the Promised Land and conquer it, these were given to Moses and translated to Joshua, and that is an important distinction. The other thing I noticed about this verse, was the phrase, "he left nothing undone," because it's almost a double-negative type of statement. It reminds me of 2 Corinthians 2:11, which tells us that we are "not ignorant," or some translations say, "not unaware." There is significance in using this type of language, because it actually addresses something a little differently. For example, if the passage simply said, "he did everything..." it's taken almost matter-of-factly. It almost dismisses Joshua's decisive role in obedience. But, by saying, "he left nothing undone..." it emphasizes the possibility of incomplete tasks. It highlights the progressive nature of his obedience, that he was accomplishing the will of God incrementally, and he did not stop until nothing was left undone.

A) With the first point, it's important for me to remember that the Bible was written to a different generation, but it is no less meant for me. The holy scriptures are translateable commands to me, just as the command to Joshua was translated through Moses. The Great Commission from the end of the gospels, commands to holiness, righteousness, good works... all of this is meant for me as well, as a follower of Jesus. If I am a disciple of Christ, then I will follow the examples of the first Christians, the first disciples, as they also followed Christ directly. Along with the written scriptures, the indwelling Holy Spirit leads me in direct discipleship to Christ as well. None of this is particularly new to me, per se. The second point gleened from Joshua's example is a little more fresh to me, though. It challenges my natural struggle with laziness, to examine my life in terms of tasks undone. When I am doing one thing for God, even well, I can have a tendency to feel like it compensates for another area of actual neglect. In very real terms, right now I am volunteering at the church with the Son Life group (4th and 5th grade kids). I have let my participation in that create a false-sense of "doing for God" while I have neglected my work towards counseling certification. At times I have been a good husband, resting in that status, while neglecting to become a godly husband. It can seem exhausting or overwhelming to consider that there are so many tasks undone, until I remember how much joy and satisfaction comes from fully pursuing God's will. Furthermore, I can never forget how faithful God is, to sustain and strengthen me when I am fully chasing after His will. I need to start seriously considering (and pursuing to do) what tasks I have been leaving undone.

P) Father, You are so faithful and good to Your servant. It is humbling to consider the grace at work in ability to do Your will, and in the effects You have put in place within me when I am accomplishing Your will! You didn't have to make it satisfying or joyful, but You did! You didn't have to strengthen me, but You do! Forgive me for my neglect, Lord. I repent for leaving things undone, for ignoring some of the things You have called me to do. Help me manage my time, create new habits, and do whatever else it takes to do Your will. I don't want to stop until there is nothing left undone. Let Your will be done. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 04/21/2015; Joshua 10:42

Today's reading: Joshua 10

S) " ⁴² Joshua captured all these kings and their lands at one time, because the Lord, the God of Israel, fought for Israel. "

Joshua 10:42  (NASB)

O) This chapter shows us the conquest of Joshua somewhat brief fashion, but he swept through half a dozen cities in what looks like a matter of days. The king of Jerusalem (which was not yet the capital of Israel) united himself with four other kings against Joshua and God's people. If anything, this served the purpose of the LORD even more directly, because it allowed Joshua to capture all five kings at once, expediting the defeat of their armies and cities. When the above verse says, "fought for Israel," there are a few different examples we have in this very chapter. We see God confounded their enemies (v.10), we see God dropped large (hail)stones from heaven (v.11), and God extended the day for Joshua to continue to fight (vv.12-14). So, when we read that the LORD fought for Israel, this is not some feel-good emotional hope. This is not an ethereal or mystical fighting. God actively, in a very real and tangible way, fought for Israel. This type of physical intervention is prevalent throughout the Bible, but it is on display in various ways in just this one chapter. On their own, even the most formidable army would be hard pressed to conquer six kings and at least as many cities in such a short time. But, the verse above reminds us why we can believe when God says all things are possible through Him, when we believe.

A) I don't do a lot of fighting, these days. I would if I needed to fight, but I just don't see that in my future. Paul taught us that the weapons of our warfare are not of this world. My real enemies are not physical, but spiritual (see Ephesians 6). But, if anything, these facts make the above verse even more important! God is fighting for me, when I am fighting to accomplish His will. I should have all of the faith I need, when I remember how strongly He responded for the people of Israel, fighting for them to see His will done. In v.11 of the above chapter, we see that at one point the hailstones killed more of their enemies than the Israelite warriors did! God accomplishes most of the heavy lifting in the work I do for Him! I should have no trouble believing He will do what He says He will do, when I am obediently fighting for Him on my knees in prayer.

P) Father, I know that I do not fight against flesh and blood. Just as Paul taught in Ephesians, mine is a spiritual war. There are many, many fronts to fight in this war, Lord, and my vision is limited. Point me in the right direction, Lord, show me where to aim. Even so directed, I know that I am a limited being, fighting with limited skills and weapons. But, I also know that I do not fight alone. Not only are the brothers and sisters who fight alongside me an encouragement, but I also know that You fight for us all. So Father God, I ask for open eyes to see the battles that must be fought. I ask for strength and courage to persevere and fight where You lead me. Help me be faithful in my position, and increase my faith believing that You have already won this war. Let Your will be done. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 04/20/2015; Joshua 8:34-35

Today's reading: Joshua 8

S) "³⁴ Then afterward he read all the words of the law, the blessing and the curse, according to all that is written in the book of the law. ³⁵ There was not a word of all that Moses had commanded which Joshua did not read before all the assembly of Israel with the women and the little ones and the strangers who were living among them."

Joshua 8:34-35  (NASB)

O) Joshua and the Israelites won the day over the city of Ai, as the LORD had again delivered the city into their hands. God devised an ambush, where Joshua and his people feigned defeat. While they fled from the front of the city, the inhabitants were drawn out to pursue them, and another contingent of Israelite warriors came from behind the city to set it on fire. This was sophisticated warfare for such an ancient day. The LORD guided them through all of it. After taking from the city, only what God told them, and after building an alter to God and sacrificing various sacrifices on it, Joshua copies the law at the alter. Then, as we see above, he read the law to the people. Notably, he read both the blessing and the curse. He did not allow the emotions of their victory to distract from their calling and God's purpose. He didn't focus only on the blessings, since God had just given them a great victory. He read the law in its entirety, blessing and curse, so the people would remember what was at stake.

A) There is a tendency I have (although I'm sure I'm not alone), that when things are going well I have a temptation to "ease up" in my pursuit of God. Relating it to a race as the apostle Paul did, if I am running hard while times are rough, pursuing God because I feel my need of Him, then when things are going well I'm tempted to slow down, get distracted, "rest," or something like that. I need to follow the example that Joshua gives here, though. When God is giving me great victory in something, perhaps answering a prayer of great need, I need to press on with the same focus and commitment I had up until that point. If running hard got me there, what makes me think that running hard is not exactly what I should keep doing? I am not saved by works, don't get me wrong, but if devotion, commitment, focus, and earnestly seeking the Lord blesses me, then why should I be content to do anything else but seek Him earnestly, with focus, commitment, and devotion? When God blesses me while I am obediently following Him, actively pursuing Him, then I must be careful to not become content in that momentary blessing, at the expense of obedient, active discipleship to Christ.

P) Father, Your blessings are great and marvelous, and full of Your grace. No matter how well I might follow You, no matter how well I might obey or do good works, I acknowledge that none of that happens outside of Your grace. It is only the Holy Spirit working within me that even empowers me to this kind of obedience, faith, and work. I confess that I have a tendency toward being lazy, though. I have a temptation to pursue my own selfish desires after You have given me victories in areas of my life. When I think of this soberly, Lord, I am truly ashamed. Forgive me for this laziness, selfishness, and conceit. The blessings You give me should prompt me toward more obedience, more devotion, more pursuit of You. Change my heart in this area, God. Change my desires, and show me - remind me - that I will find satisfaction, joy, peace, and love through You. Be the greatest desire in my heart, Father God. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 04/19/2015; Joshua 6:1-2

Today's reading: Joshua 6

S) " ¹ Now Jericho was tightly shut because of the sons of Israel; no one went out and no one came in. ² The Lord said to Joshua, 'See, I have given Jericho into your hand, with its king and the valiant warriors.'"

Joshua 6:1-2  (NASB)

O) The walls of Jericho fell before Joshua, at the trumpet blasts on the seventh circle around the city, which took place on the seventh day. But, that was not the reality facing Joshua the day that the LORD spoke those words. On that day, Jericho was one of the most formidable cities known. On that day, those high walls were tightly shut. On that day, they had no element of surprise, no war machines, and no real plan. But, Joshua knew that the LORD was with them. The evidence he had at hand showed them that Jericho was anything but in his hand. But, Joshua knew that the LORD held everything in His hands. The task, the mission, the upcoming war that Joshua would fight would have seemed like a longshot to a seasoned general. It would have seemed like a long endeavor. It would have been a huge military conquest that would be very costly. But, on the day that the LORD spoke to Joshua, all of that didn't matter. It didn't matter what his eyes saw, it mattered what the LORD said.

A) To any Sunday school graduate, the story of Joshua and Jericho might seem like a classic, simple, run of the mill Old Testament story. I remember learning about it in my youth. But, this is one of those stories that had become so familiar that I honestly don't think about it much as an adult. It seemed like such a simple lesson. I mean, even reading this chapter today, I was searching for some "deeper" lesson to see. The truth is, the lesson of a formidable wall being no match for God, is a lesson that I still need to learn. To the God I serve, there is no impenetrable fortress. There is no expense to great to pay. There is no crisis to chaotic to settle. There is no relationship too broken to mend.  It doesn't matter what my eyes see, it only matters what my God says.

P) Father, there are a few walls in my life right now I think I've been ignoring, or else they've just been worrisome. I have no way to scale these walls, let alone tear them down. My relationship with my dad continues to feel like a wall I cannot break through. My financial stresses still seem like a permanent wall I can never seem to conquer. I don't want to see these obstacles with my own eyes anymore, God. I'm tired. I'm tired of scheming, and worrying, and measuring, and banging my head against them, in the hopes of finding some small crack. I can't do it anymore. Open my ears, LORD. I need to hear Your words. Open my eyes to see what You say about these things. Let me find what Scripture says about these things, and reveal to me how to relate Your words to my life. Lead me, and let me follow the Holy Spirit faithfully. I set my heart to obey You fearfully, setting my hope on Your words, not my eyes. Let Your will be done. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.