Jesus taught that all scripture testifies about him so that in him we might have life (John 5v39-40). King David taught that it is only by living according to God's word that we're kept on the right path (Psalm 119v9). What then could be better than reading the entire Bible? Click the menu to read about the program, choose a month or Bible book - or just work through the blog posts day by day.
BEGIN WITH PRAYER
"Lord open my eyes and my heart."
Read slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God, thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for you, your family, your church and the world.
Wisdom to chew on
Understanding to grow in
The themes here are clear: In destroying the Canaanite peoples Joshua did everything as the LORD had commanded through Moses. Because of that, the LORD fought for Israel giving the land as their inheritance. And because of that, Israel were wholly victorious. God's instructions can be found in Deuteronomy 7-9 where it is stressed the reason for such complete destruction is because of the "wickedness of these nations" (Deut 9v5). Their depravity and evil, including child sacrifice, is well documented by archaeology. And we should note that Israel are not instructed to destroy nations that are further afield. So there is no justification here for waging war in the name of Christ. Rather, our battle is against the principalities and powers (Eph 6v12) as we face attack from the various hardships, persecutions and temptations that might lead us from Christ and so from the inheritance we have in him. Yet here, if we love and so obey Christ through faith, we can say "if God is for us, who can be against us?" His absolute defeat of the Canaanite armies only proves his mighty power, displayed in Christ, to defeat and judge all evil, and protect his people so that they remain spiritually secure (Rom 8v31-39). In his strength and armour we can stand against the devil schemes.Joshua 10:29-12:24
Finish this reading by pausing to ask yourself:
1) What’s the main thing it teaches me about God or his purposes in Christ? Then praise him for this.
2) What’s the main thing it teaches me about his will for me or the world? Then pray that home.
Devotion to offer up
You could read this aloud and perhaps as a springboard to further prayer.