Today’s reading: Judg 2:11–3:31, Phil 1:12–18, Ps 63:1–64:10

Today’s theme: The Gospel is central

Today we learn that the Gospel and our faith devotion to God should be the center of our lives in the same way the sun is central and affective to all that surrounds it.

Judges 2:11–3:31

Do not whore away from God

Yet they did not listen to their judges, for they whored after other gods and bowed down to them. They soon turned aside from the way in which their fathers had walked, who had obeyed the commandments of the LORD, and they did not do so. Judges 2:17 (ESV)

The children of Israel went from small compromises and a lack of faith to full blown apostasy. They abandoned the Lord and served Baal (idol of the surrounding people). This unfaithfulness is described as whoring because they were in a love based, covenant relationship with God, like a husband and wife in marriage.

What spurred this unfaithfulness and break of allegiance?

Baal was primarily a storm god, which led to his worship as a fertility god. Fertility cults had concerns with acquiring prosperity for the worshiper in terms of family, flocks, herds and crops.

Today we face this same idol in the form of the prosperity “Health and Wealth” gospel which is spreading like wildfire across the globe, exalting materialism, greed and covetousness.

We must guard against the allure of this false teaching and hold steadfastly to our husband (Jesus), knowing the tempting call of material wealth is a false hope and trap for the unfaithful heart. See Luke 12:15, and Hebrews 13:5.

Be faithful to God

But when the people of Israel cried out to the LORD, the LORD raised up a deliverer for the people of Israel, who saved them, Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother. Judges 3:9 (ESV)

Boldness and faithfulness to God seem to run in Caleb’s family.

Philippians 1:12–18

The Gospel is central

I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. Philippians 1:12–13 (ESV)

Because of Paul’s lifelong desire to see the gospel proclaimed, his mind and life was ordered so that every circumstance he found himself in would lead to the advance of the Gospel…. even prison.

If this is the central vocation of our lives, no matter what happens to us in life it will revolve around the proclamation of the gospel.

The gospel should be the big object our lives revolve around. It should have the same, strong pull of gravity that the sun exercises over the earth. In this context it should affect everything in our lives and be the centre of our lives. It should affect everything and every situation (like the sun’s affect and importance to the earth).

The proclamation of the Gospel should be central and our consuming passion. In that way it’s message will affect everything in both word and action.

Psalm 63:1–64:10

Jesus satisfies

My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips, Psalm 63:5 (ESV)

True satisfaction comes from the Lord alone, He provides living water to the thirsty. God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him (not materialism). See Ephesians 5:5 and Colossians 3:5.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

Desiring God on Philippians 1

Today’s reading: Judges 1:1–2:10, Phil 1:1–11, Ps 61:1–62:12

Today’s theme: The command of devotion

Today we learn about the law of devotion. We must be fully devoted to the Lord and devote sin to destruction in our lives. We can take confidence in the eternal security that God so graciously provides as we grow in love, knowledge and discernment.

We start two new books today, reading the summary of these books in your Bible will help you to read it in context.

Judges 1:1–2:10

The command of devotion

And Judah went with Simeon his brother, and they defeated the Canaanites who inhabited Zephath and devoted it to destruction. So the name of the city was called Hormah. Judges 1:17 (ESV)

The command of devotion was that all inhabitants of the land were destroyed, without compromise. In Hebrew the word is Haram (Herem) and understanding it will help give context to today’s passage.

ḥāram: A verb meaning to destroy, to doom, to devote. This word is most commonly associated with the Israelites destroying the Canaanites upon their entry into the Promised Land (Deut. 7:2; Josh. 11:20)

Single hearted obedience to God

And the LORD was with Judah, and he took possession of the hill country, but he could not drive out the inhabitants of the plain because they had chariots of iron. Judges 1:19 (ESV)

After the death of Joshua we begin to see promise in the people’s devotion to the Lord as they seek Him about who should go first. God tells the people that Judah shall go first because God has given His territory into his hand. Judah means praise, this is where we get the idea of praise going up first and being like a weapon of war.

However Judah immediately starts to deviate from God’s plan by inviting his brother Simeon. Now we see a lack of faith in the “God who was with them” and had promised them the land. This resulted in the inhabitants of the plain remaining. Iron chariots are no match for God.

This begins to give us an insight into Israel’s eroding faith in God and their failure to fulfil Gods command of devotion (Haram). Our lesson is to put our trust in God’s word and so fulfil Christ’s command for single hearted obedience to God (Luke 10:27) and the killing of sin, leaving no room for compromise (Luke 9:23).

Avoid compromise

When Israel grew strong, they put the Canaanites to forced labor, but did not drive them out completely. Judges 1:28 (ESV)

Again we see more compromise in fulfilling the law of devotion. A compromise is made putting the enemy to forced Labour. God gave the law of devotion (Haram) for a reason. It was not because the culture of the people was necessarily evil but that their religions and spiritual practices were evil and would cause God’s people to compromise their faith.

We need to be mindful of this today, we are in the world but not of the world. We still have the command of devotion on us. It is twofold, we should be devoted wholly to the Lord and we should devote sin to utter destruction in our lives.

Putting the enemy to forced labour speaks of both compromise and the subtle bondage of legalism. Where sin is not eradicated by submission to the grace and power of God, but instead is kept in check with legalistic behaviour (which only serves to bottle up the sin); we are lead in to further bondage and frustration when the temporary reforms of man give way to the power of sin. See Romans 6:14 and Galatians 3:3.

Sin brings bondage

So now I say, I will not drive them out before you, but they shall become thorns in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare to you.” Judges 2:3 (ESV)

If we do not wholly follow and cleave to the Lord, being totally devoted to His service and devoting His enemies (sin) to destruction, then we will live lives marked by bondage and struggles with sin and compromise.

Sin brings bondage, God desires that we be free (John 8:36) so we should not hold back in our devotion to Him. We should not be lukewarm (Revelation 3:16), we should love Him with all our hearts, trusting Him to drive out the enemy before us.

As Philippians 2:12-13 reminds us we should work out our salvation with fear and trembling. It is God who is at work in us and has energised us to fulfil His good pleasure.

Pass on the baton

And all that generation also were gathered to their fathers. And there arose another generation after them who did not know the LORD or the work that he had done for Israel. Judges 2:10 (ESV)

It is crucial for every generation of God’s people to pass the baton on to the next generation.

Philippians 1:1–11

Eternal security

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6 (ESV)

We do not have a faith dependant on good works like Islam who do not know what Allah will do with them or “Jehovah Witnesses” who need to do works to make it to paradise.

We have confidence in the eternal security God promises us in His word, knowing as Paul reminds the church that He who began the good work of salvation in us will bring it to completion. We can take joy, comfort and hope in that sure promise. Thank God for the amazing promise of future grace.

Love, knowledge and discernment

And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, Philippians 1:9 (ESV)

Love, knowledge and discernment are often pitched against each other as opposing forces, but Paul prays that all three will grow together. It is worth noting that love is mentioned first.

Psalm 61:1–62:12

God is our Rock

Put no trust in extortion; set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches increase, set not your heart on them. Psalm 62:10 (ESV)

God is our rock, not the riches of this world.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition  on Philippians 1

Today’s reading: Josh 22:10–24:33, 2 Cor 13:11–14, Ps 60:1–12

Today’s theme: Cling to the Lord

Today we learn that we should not be driven by fear but should choose to cling to the Lord and be careful to love the Lord. We should recognise His graciousness in our lives as we trust in Him. Note the five admonitions in our New Testament reading.

Joshua 22:10–24:33

Do not be driven by fear

No, but we did it from fear that in time to come your children might say to our children, ‘What have you to do with the LORD, the God of Israel? For the LORD has made the Jordan a boundary between us and you, you people of Reuben and people of Gad. You have no portion in the LORD.’ So your children might make our children cease to worship the LORD. Joshua 22:24–25 (ESV)

The tribes living across the Jordan did not build the altar in rebellion against God as the rest of Israel had feared. Israel expressed their fear of this based on their recent experience of corporate responsibility. This meant that all members of the community suffered when just one broke faith. A concept we have forgotten in the west.

The tribes explained that they were innocent before God as the structure was built as a witness. However the reason they built it was out of fear. They feared being cut off in future generations and that as a result their children would not fear the Lord.

So fear has a large part to play. They acted out of fear in building the witness. Israel reacted in fear and went to do battle and both parties did this because they feared the Lord. The missing element in all of this was faith. All the tribes should put their trust in God’s covenant keeping love and not be driven by fear.

Let us act out of faith and love, not in fear. See 2 Corinthians 5:7 and 1 John 4:18-21.

Cling to the Lord

but you shall cling to the LORD your God just as you have done to this day. Joshua 23:8 (ESV)

We too must cling to the Lord. Looking at the word “cling” in this context and in the original Hebrew will be help us meditate on what it means to cling to the Lord.

In Hebrew the word is dābaq. Cling is used in this sense, to cling to. It is a verb meaning to hold firmly or tenaciously, usually with one’s hands.

The word is defined in Hebrew as the following: to stick to; cling, cleave to; cling to, stick to; hold to, overtake; cause to stick to; pursue closely; keep close; to adhere, to be glued; join; follow; hold onto; fasten; catch up with; follow hard; joined fast; be made to cleave; stay close; be united; be associated; to stay with.

If we do not cling to the Lord we will cling to something else. Luke 16:13

Careful love

Be very careful, therefore, to love the LORD your God. Joshua 23:11 (ESV)

This would almost seem strange with our modern concepts of love. We would not think to use careful and love in the same context but love is in fact a very thoughtful and deliberate thing. It involves our volition more than we often acknowledge. As we are reminded in 1 John 3:18 ‘Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth’.

God’s grace

I gave you a land on which you had not labored and cities that you had not built, and you dwell in them. You eat the fruit of vineyards and olive orchards that you did not plant.’ Joshua 24:13 (ESV)

This is a picture of God’s grace which should encourage us to serve the Lord with gladness. Jesus alludes to this in John 4:36–38.

Choose a master

And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:15 (ESV)

In today’s society “choice” has been exalted as an idol and has become the rationale of the people for all manner of sin and abomination (abortion, same sex marriage etc).

God did not give us the ability to choose to abuse ourselves or dishonour Him. Choice should not be our God. Joshua turns the worship of choice around by saying he takes the power he has to choose to choose to serve the Lord.

The choices we are presented with are often false options. The fact is that whoever we submit ourselves to we are servants / slaves to obey, so choose your master.

This is illustrated well in Romans 6:16 which states “Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?”.

Lets choose to serve the Lord today!

2 Corinthians 13:11–14

Five admonitions

Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. 2 Corinthians 13:11 (ESV)

The assurance, “And the God of love and peace will be with you,” is dependent on each of the five admonitions made earlier about joy, restoration, submission, unity, and peace.

We have this promise today too as we actively seek to do God’s will. He will impart to us His love and peace. Let’s meditate on these five admonitions today.

Psalm 60:1–12

Man’s salvation is vain

Oh, grant us help against the foe, for vain is the salvation of man! With God we shall do valiantly; it is he who will tread down our foes. Psalm 60:11–12 (ESV)

The salvation provided by man is vain. We need to trust in God as we fight the spiritual battles around us today.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on 2 Corinthians 13

Today’s reading: Josh 21:1–22:9, 2 Cor 13:1–10, Ps 59:1–17

Today’s theme: Examine yourself

We are called to examine ourselves and should be encouraged in the good fight of faith as we seek to enter God’s rest.

Joshua 21:1–22:9

Rest from God

And the LORD gave them rest on every side just as he had sworn to their fathers. Not one of all their enemies had withstood them, for the LORD had given all their enemies into their hands. Not one word of all the good promises that the LORD had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass. Joshua 21:44–45 (ESV)

God gave His people rest and fulfilled every one of His promises. This should fill us with hope and joy. If God had the power, desire and ability to actively bring His word to pass for the children of Israel entering the promised land, then we can have confidence that God will bring His promises to pass for us and has a rest for us to enter into as well.

There was a correlation between all the enemies being defeated and entering rest. Although we can have rest and peace in this life through Jesus Christ (John 14:27), we will enter into true rest in the promised land of Heaven (Hebrews 4:1-11). This is when the final enemy death will be defeated (1 Corinthians 15:26).

2 Corinthians 13:1–10

Examine yourself

Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test! 2 Corinthians 13:5 (ESV)

Paul challenges the Corinthians to examine themselves to confirm whether they are continuing in the faith in terms of both belief and conduct. Paul has mentioned elsewhere that the Corinthians themselves are the proof of his ministry, so he tells the Corinthians to look at themselves. Knowing that they are true fruit is the ultimate approval of Paul’s ministry.

We can learn from this that we need to examine ourselves too. Not with self loathing and doubt but to affirm and encourage ourselves as we grow in the Lord. We are also called to this type of self examination every time we observe communion.

We should not be afraid to measure our obedience and belief against God’s word. If we fail to meet the test then we need to seek restoration. In some cases this self examination will prove we were never saved and need to submit to God’s word (for example those in cults).

Psalm 59:1–17

God of covenant keeping love

But I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress. Psalm 59:16 (ESV)

We can trust in our God of covenant keeping love. He will keep us and be a fortress and refuge in times of distress. We should sing of God’s love and protection for us.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on 2 Corinthians 13

Today’s reading: Josh 19:10–20:9, 2 Cor 12:11–21, Ps 57:1–58:11

Today’s theme: Stand in faith

We learn today that we should not lose ground to the enemy by not standing in faith on God’s promises. Be encouraged that God will bring his purposes to pass in and through your lives as you trust in him.

Joshua 19:10–20:9

Just stand in faith

When the territory of the people of Dan was lost to them, the people of Dan went up and fought against Leshem. After capturing it and striking it with the sword they took possession of it and settled in it, calling Leshem, Dan, after the name of Dan their ancestor. Joshua 19:47 (ESV).

The full account of the tribe of Dan’s taking of the city of Leshem is found in Judges 18. Although it seems good that they did not settle for being run out of their allotted land and so moved to the far north and took the city they named Dan. The reality is that they should have stood their ground in their own allotted inheritance and should not have lost the ground to the enemy.

The problem is that the people of Dan did not hold onto their inheritance because it was not held in faith, they did not truly put their trust in God.

We can learn from this today that we should not lose our inheritance and end up setting ourselves up in some halfway house of compromise because we do not have the guts and faith to fight the enemy. No, we should stand and fight and having done all we can just stand in faith as mentioned in Ephesians 6:13-17.

2 Corinthians 12:11–21

Willing to be spent

Here for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be a burden, for I seek not what is yours but you. For children are not obligated to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less? 2 Corinthians 12:14–15 (ESV)

In a day where the perverted prosperity gospel is spreading across the world with it’s focus on paying for breakthroughs and millionaire preachers. It is refreshing to read Paul’s appeal to the Corinthians, he is not seeking their possessions but seeking them, their very souls and allegiance for the sake of Christ.

Paul also says he is willing to be spent in full for them. We should have this same attitude as we serve the body of Christ today to the glory of God.

Psalm 57:1–58:11

God fulfils his purposes

I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me. Psalm 57:2 (ESV)

We can boldly put our trust in God. He will see his purposes fulfilled in us Philippians 2:13.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition OR Desiring God on 2 Corinthians 12