Today’s reading: Josh 9:1–10:15, 2 Cor 10:9–18, Ps 50:1–23

Today’s theme: Look to God, not men

Today we learn that we should look to God and seek Him in the way He has prescribed in His word. We should not compare ourselves against mere men or judge with human judgement, we should measure ourselves against God’s holy standard and word.

Joshua 9:1–10:15

Seek God in God’s way

So the men took some of their provisions, but did not ask counsel from the LORD. Joshua 9:14 (ESV)

Israel’s sin in this chapter is not them being deceived, but their failure to seek the Lord for His guidance on whether these men were telling the truth, instead they relied on their own seemingly practical way of deciding whether the story was true. God had told all Israel how they should seek His guidance, in Numbers 27:21, but this was not followed.

It is easy to fall into the trap of measuring a situation using only our natural senses, but we need to walk in the Spirit and be led by the Spirit in line with God’s Word. We must seek God, especially when a decision will bind us to a person or group in a relationship, as was the case with the Gibeonites. See John 16:13, Romans 8:4, 2 Corinthians 5:7, Galatians 5:18, 25 and 1 John 4:6

5 Kings

So Adoni-zedek king of Jerusalem sent to Hoham king of Hebron, to Piram king of Jarmuth, to Japhia king of Lachish, and to Debir king of Eglon, saying, Joshua 10:3 (ESV)

Pastor Dennis preached a message about the significance of these 5 kings, copies are available from our church bookstore if you do not have a copy. It has some excellent life application and prayer points for every believer.

The long day

And the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, until the nation took vengeance on their enemies. Is this not written in the Book of Jashar? The sun stopped in the midst of heaven and did not hurry to set for about a whole day. Joshua 10:13 (ESV)

This is one miracle that sceptics like to point to when debating the truthfulness of biblical accounts. The bible does not say that the earth stopped rotating or that the sun just stopped moving, in verse 13 it says the sun “did not hurry to set for about a whole day”. Modern researchers including Harry Rimmer, point to evidence from early Egyptian, Chinese and Hindu sources, that there was a long day in history and that “Pickering of the Harvard Observatory traced this missing day back to the time of Joshua; likewise has Totten of Yale” [Details adapted from Archer, G. L. (1982). New International Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.]

Documentary evidence supporting these findings is not all available – in any case, we believe that God is able to do anything and can if He wishes, suspend the laws of nature for His own purposes. God is the Lord and Creator of both time and space.

2 Corinthians 10:9–18

Avoid foolish comparisons

Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding. 2 Corinthians 10:12 (ESV)

Like we saw in our earlier reading regarding the Gibeonites, we should not judge using only our natural senses. This principle also applies when we measure our lives and conduct before the Lord, we should not measure ourselves against each other, this only leads to pride and self deception. God calls us to measure ourselves by the holy standard of His word and the perfect example of Jesus Christ.

Psalm 50:1–23

God is not a force to be tapped into

But to the wicked God says: “What right have you to recite my statutes or take my covenant on your lips? Psalm 50:16 (ESV)

Despite the claims on popular “Christian” TV, it is not possible for the ungodly to “tap into God’s blessings” by following some 3 step principle. No, God is not a force to be tapped into, He is a person and all His promises are for His people who put their trust in Him and are in relationship with Him.

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 10

Today’s reading: Josh 7:1–8:35, 2 Cor 10:1–8, Ps 49:1–20

Today’s theme: The battle for the mind

Today we learn about the battle for the minds of men. We must not allow our mind to be taken captive by the enemy, we are called to live transparent and honest lives before God, shunning compromise and confessing our sins before God, to the glory of God.

Like Paul we are called to tear down the mental strongholds that keep people in bondage and hostility toward God.

Joshua 7:1–8:35

For Your great name

For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land will hear of it and will surround us and cut off our name from the earth. And what will you do for your great name?” Joshua 7:9 (ESV)

Like the intercessory prayers of Moses, Joshua appeals to God’s desire to be glorified in the earth, and for His great fame to be spread across the earth, (see Moses’ prayers in Exodus 32:11–13 and here Numbers 14:15–16).

Israel was God’s chosen nation as a means to being glorified in the earth, through the fame of His name and great acts among them being spread throughout the nations. It is through God’s covenants and dealings with His people that we start to get a glimpse of who He is.

We can learn from this way of praying, that we too should appeal to God’s zeal for His own glory and fame.

Simply repent

The LORD said to Joshua, “Get up! Why have you fallen on your face? Joshua 7:10 (ESV)

When there is sin and compromise to be dealt with, there is really nothing to pray (ask) about, we need to repent (turn away from the sin) and get rid of the contaminating compromise. God does not need to be sought concerning sin, His word is clear, He calls on all men everywhere to repent. So repent! See Acts 17:30

Compromise affects everyone

Therefore the people of Israel cannot stand before their enemies. They turn their backs before their enemies, because they have become devoted for destruction. I will be with you no more, unless you destroy the devoted things from among you. Joshua 7:12 (ESV)

When we allow compromise into our lives, we will fall under God’s judgement and discipline. It is important that we do not compromise with sin or bring any cursed objects into our home. Paul picks up on this with sin and compromise in the church having a negative affect on the whole body, in 1 Corinthians 5:6 and Galatians 5:9. Compromise in this way not only marks us for destruction, but causes harm and danger to those around us.

Confess sin to God

Then Joshua said to Achan, “My son, give glory to the LORD God of Israel and give praise to him. And tell me now what you have done; do not hide it from me.” Joshua 7:19 (ESV)

Openly admitting and confessing our sin before God, acknowledging that we have sinned against God and are without excuse, brings glory to God. We must seek to be honest and transparent.

We must be humble as followers of Christ and one element  of this which will keep our conscience healthy before God, is to give God glory by confessing our sin. See Acts 19:18-19, James 5:16 and 1 John 1:9

Do not covet

And you shall do to Ai and its king as you did to Jericho and its king. Only its spoil and its livestock you shall take as plunder for yourselves. Lay an ambush against the city, behind it.” Joshua 8:2 (ESV)

There was no need for Achan to covet in the earlier chapter, here we see God would in this instance, provide goods for the people. Achan’s coveting showed not only short sighted greed but a fundamental lack of faith.

Coveting at its root shows that the one coveting does not trust God for guidance and provision and is instead driven by their own desires and will harm themselves and those around them to get what they want. We must learn to be content and trust God for provision. See Philippians 4:11 and 2 Corinthians 9:8-11

God honours obedient faith

Then the LORD said to Joshua, “Stretch out the javelin that is in your hand toward Ai, for I will give it into your hand.” And Joshua stretched out the javelin that was in his hand toward the city. Joshua 8:18 (ESV)

In our human reasoning it may seem strange that Joshua should hold out the Javelin / Sword to Ai until it had been destroyed, however this was a command directly from the Lord and so on Joshua’s part, this was an act of faith. It was also a sign of decisive leadership from Joshua and his confident faith in the Lord, who would win the day for them.

Moses did a similar symbolic act of faith at the Lord’s command when Joshua was fighting in the trenches against the Amelikites, in Exodus 17.

We can learn from this that we should act on God’s word in faith, even when it seems strange or illogical, God will honour our faith as we honour Him in obedience. See Hebrews 11:6

The bible, central for all society

There was not a word of all that Moses commanded that Joshua did not read before all the assembly of Israel, and the women, and the little ones, and the sojourners who lived among them. Joshua 8:35 (ESV)

The renewal of the covenant was centred around God’s written word, for all members of society. If we want to see renewal in our own lives, families, church or wider society, it must be centred around God’s revealed and written word which can only be found in the bible.

2 Corinthians 10:1–8

The battle for the mind

For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete. 2 Corinthians 10:4–6 (ESV)

The battle is for the minds of men. The fleshy way of fighting for men’s hearts and minds, is to use human reasoning and underhanded tactics to manipulate the targets. Paul does not fight in this way, he fights with God’s weapons and so fights in God’s way.

The imagery Paul is using is of a full siege which has three stages: 1) destroying defences 2) taking captives 3) punishing resisters. We should use these three stages of attack as we fight for God’s glory and fame.

The strongholds that we need to tear down are the intellectual arguments that have been set up against the truth of the Gospel. The captives are the very thoughts of those who were imprisoned by these mental strongholds (i.e. evolution or false religion).

The weapons we use include the truth of the Gospel, prayer, God’s wisdom and even our holy living. We must fight for the hearts and minds of those in our church and the wider culture. God’s story must be set over and against all the false narratives of this world.

Psalm 49:1–20

All men die

For he sees that even the wise die; the fool and the stupid alike must perish and leave their wealth to others. Psalm 49:10 (ESV)

This call goes out to all mankind, God calls men to not have foolish confidence in the riches or wisdom of this world, as we read in today’s other readings. All men have an appointment to keep with death, everything in this life is temporary so all men need to be prepared to stand before God.

We should not seek to seem “blessed” in the eyes of others, we should live before God knowing that our time on this earth is short. Eternity is forever. See Hebrews 9:27

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 10

Today’s reading: Josh 4:1–6:27, 2 Cor 9:6–15, Ps 48:1–14

Today’s theme: Remember God’s faithfulness

Today’s overarching theme is that we should have a testimony alive in our hearts everyday by remembering God’s gracious gift of love to us, expressed in the greatest gift, Jesus Christ. In light of God’s goodness we too should be gracious and generous. Our lives in this way should stand as a testimony to the outside world and as an encouraging reminder of God’s greatness and faithfulness to our fellow believers.

Joshua 4:1–6:27

Validation from God

On that day the LORD exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel, and they stood in awe of him just as they had stood in awe of Moses, all the days of his life. Joshua 4:14 (ESV)

God uses this amazing miracle of the parting and crossing of the Jordan, to validate Joshua before the people. This was also one of the purposes of the miracles performed by Jesus. See John 14:11

The power of God’s testimony

so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the LORD is mighty, that you may fear the LORD your God forever.” Joshua 4:24 (ESV)

The memorial that God asked the children of Israel to build with stones taken from the crossing of the Jordan, would serve as a reminder of God’s great deliverance to the children of Israel and would stand as a testimony of God’s great power to the rest of the world. Today our own lives should stand as a testimony and a reminder of God’s great power to us and those around us. See 1 Peter 2:4 and 2 Corinthians 3:2-3

When we think back to God’s great work in delivering us, when we consider His great power, we should fear Him. This does not mean being horrified or scared, but to consider God with respect and reverence. We should never lose our awe when we think of God, only God is truly awesome. See Hebrews 12:28

The reproach has been rolled away

And the LORD said to Joshua, “Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.” And so the name of that place is called Gilgal to this day. Joshua 5:9 (ESV)

God has done it, He has brought the children of Israel across the Jordan river and their feet are now in the promised land. This along with the circumcision of this new generation, breaks the reproach of the faithless generation that would have caused Egypt and the surrounding nations to mock the Israelites in their failed mission.

Our Gilgal today is the resurrection of Jesus, where the stone was rolled away and the reproach of those who say our God was defeated, is silenced. See Luke 24:2-6

Jesus, The Commander of Heaven’s Armies

And he said, “No; but I am the commander of the army of the LORD. Now I have come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to him, “What does my lord say to his servant?” Joshua 5:14 (ESV)

This is no ordinary Angel as an angel would not receive worship from a man, this commander of the army of the Lord is one of the many times that we see the pre-incarnate Jesus appear in the Old Testament. In other places in the Old Testament, this being is referred to as the Angel of the Lord. This is further proof of the Trinity in the Old Testament.

Whether this was an appearance of Christ before His incarnation or as some suggest, just a high ranking angel, it is clear that this points to Jesus who is the commander of heaven’s armies in the final war. See Matthew 28:18 and Revelation 17:14. 19:11-21

The walls fall down

So the people shouted, and the trumpets were blown. As soon as the people heard the sound of the trumpet, the people shouted a great shout, and the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they captured the city. Joshua 6:20 (ESV)

This was not a natural phenomenon posing as a miracle, this was a miracle granted to the children of Israel because they obeyed God’s command. The command to shout at the city may have seemed strange to the natural mind, but God used this act of faith to miraculously make the walls fall down flat.

When we shout praises to God, we too can have faith that the walls standing before us will fall down. Archaeology in this region proves the bible’s account to be true.

2 Corinthians 9:6–15

Give bountifully

The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:6–7 (ESV)

The prosperity gospel is wrong, we do not give to get as this is motivated by greed. We should give bountifully and God will cause us to reap for the purpose of giving even more (see verse 10). We are called to generous giving, so avoid being stingy with what you have. God loves a cheerful giver, we should give with joy and not because we think we should, but because we have chosen to.

Enriched to be generous

You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. 2 Corinthians 9:11 (ESV)

We are blessed so that we can bless others. We need to guard against selfishness and the western trap of never knowing when we have enough. The more the Lord enriches our lives, the more we should be generous with our money, time and energy for God’s glory.

Jesus, the greatest gift

Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift! 2 Corinthians 9:15 (ESV)

This gift that cannot be truly expressed in words, is Jesus and the amazing grace God has granted us in Jesus. It is in light of this greatest of gifts, that we should joyfully show God’s grace to others and live lives marked by generosity.

Psalm 48:1–14

Remember God’s faithfulness

We have thought on your steadfast love, O God, in the midst of your temple. Psalm 48:9 (ESV)

As we worship God today, let us consider His faithfulness and love, shown most clearly in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.

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 9

Today’s reading: Josh 1:1–3:17, 2 Cor 9:1–5, Ps 47:1–9

Today’s theme:  Be strong and courageous

Today we learn that we have many reasons to be strong and courageous in the Lord, as we place our trust in Him.

Joshua 1:1–3:17

The continuation of leadership

No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. Joshua 1:5 (ESV)

Joshua is the new leader for God’s people and he needed to be encouraged to lead with boldness and confidence. God affirmed His new chosen leader by encouraging him that He would be with him as He was with Moses.

This principle of God maintaining continuity in the leadership of the church continues in the NT, where elders are called to raise up younger men who can continue to lead God’s people forward, passing the baton from generation to generation. See 2 Timothy 2:2 where 4 generations of leaders are mentioned (Paul, Timothy, Faithful Men, Others)

Invincibility and inheritance

Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. Joshua 1:6 (ESV)

Three times in this chapter God tells Joshua to be strong and courageous. On this occasion, God tells Joshua to be strong and courageous because he (Joshua) will cause the people to inherit the land that God had promised to them. Another reason for Joshua to be confident is that in the last verse (5), God made an amazing promise of invincibility, God said no one would ever be able to stand before Joshua.

Joshua is an old testament type of Jesus, they share the same name and both have a calling to bring God’s people into their inheritance, as the captain of their salvation. No one can stand before Jesus, He is the ultimate victor. See the following regarding our inheritance: Matthew 19:29, Colossians 3:24 and Hebrews 9:15

Keep reading the bible

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Joshua 1:8 (ESV)

There are many books today about being successful but God’s formula is simple… keep reading the bible, think about it and live it out, this leads to prosperity and success and very often this will be the true riches valued by God and His people, but not appreciated or recognised by the world. See 2 Timothy 3:16

God is with us

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 (ESV)

God’s 2nd command to be strong and courageous – God promises to be with Joshua.

We can take encouragement from this; God will fight our battles, no devil can stand before us because greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world. We can be bold and courageous as we claim our inheritance in Christ.

We see the call to boldness by the help of the Holy Spirit from the start (Acts 4:31) to the end (Acts 28:31) of the book of Acts and throughout the NT, in places like Ephesians 3:12 and 1 Thessalonians 2:2.

The God of Heaven and Earth

And as soon as we heard it, our hearts melted, and there was no spirit left in any man because of you, for the LORD your God, he is God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath. Joshua 2:11 (ESV)

This is a great and true confession, God alone is God, not just of heaven but of the earth, which is His own creation. This is like Rahab’s statement of faith, she did not just hide the spies out of fear but had faith that the God she had heard about was the true God and that He was guaranteed the victory.

Rahab’s wise actions and faith were used in the providence of God to bring her, as a pagan, into the family of God’s people and covenant. It is from her line that David and Jesus were born, pointing to the fact that God seeks to save people from all nations and walks of life.

See Matthew 1:5 for Rahab in Jesus’ family line. Hebrews 11:31 and James 2:25 for the reference to her faith.

Rahab’s faith

And she said, “According to your words, so be it.” Then she sent them away, and they departed. And she tied the scarlet cord in the window. Joshua 2:21 (ESV)

Rahab did this in faith. Like the blood on the doorpost at Passover, the red cord points forward to the blood of Jesus. This it is applied to our lives when we put our faith in the word of God concerning the blood that Jesus shed for us on the cross, we escape judgement. The judgement passes over us. See Ephesians 2:13 and Revelation 1:5

Crossing Jordan

Now the priests bearing the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firmly on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan, and all Israel was passing over on dry ground until all the nation finished passing over the Jordan. Joshua 3:17 (ESV)

The crossing of the Jordan into the promised land is alluded to in some of our hymns as being symbolic of death, passing from this life into the promised land of heaven. This death can also be seen as dying to the old self and coming alive to the new life in Christ, which is symbolised by baptism. Romans 6:6–11

2 Corinthians 9:1–5

Follow through

So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance for the gift you have promised, so that it may be ready as a willing gift, not as an exaction. 2 Corinthians 9:5 (ESV)

Paul was a true father to this church, he did not want them to be humiliated by the very church that they had inspired to give to the collection for the poor in Jerusalem. To avoid this type of humiliation, we should follow through with our pledges as quickly as we can. When we give and serve the Lord we should actually do it and not just think or talk about it, we should do it willingly and with joy.

Psalm 47:1–9

Sing loud songs

Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy! Psalm 47:1 (ESV)

The psalms call us to sing loud songs of Joy to our great God. Such songs will be raised at Church today.

Sing praises

Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises! For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with a psalm! Psalm 47:6–7 (ESV)

We should sing praises to God just because of who He is, God is the true King, He is the King of all the earth, not the devil! The earth is God’s and we should sing to Him the praises that any people would sing to their beloved and powerful king.

God is sovereign

God reigns over the nations; God sits on his holy throne. Psalm 47:8 (ESV)

God’s throne and authority is above all. God is sovereign and He is sovereign over every nation. This is said of Jesus in Colossians 1:16, Matthew 19:28, Ephesians 1:20-22 and Philippians 2:9–11.

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

Additional resources

Desiring God on 2 Corinthians 9

Today’s reading: Deut 33:1–34:12, 2 Cor 8:16–24, Ps 46:1–11

Today’s theme: Today we see the ultimate narrative of the Bible which is God as king in his kingdom. We submit to and worship Him as the rightful king of our lives and all creation. Glory to the King alone.

Deuteronomy 33:1–34:12

God is King

Thus the LORD became king in Jeshurun, when the heads of the people were gathered, all the tribes of Israel together. Deuteronomy 33:5 (ESV)

As this book draws to a close we focus on God again. The Lord became king in Israel. The passage speaks of God as their teacher and guide (verse 3) too, but one of the ultimate truths of the overall biblical narrative is that God is king. God became or was recognised as king over the people when they were given the law and they agreed to keep it.

We affirm God as king in our lives when we hear His word (the bible), agree with and apply it. In this way we submit ourselves to His loving, sovereign rule and dominion. The ultimate story of God’s word is about God as King in His Kingdom. See Matthew 6:10.

The Lord our shield and sword

Happy are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the LORD, the shield of your help, and the sword of your triumph! Your enemies shall come fawning to you, and you shall tread upon their backs.” Deuteronomy 33:29 (ESV)

In verse 26 we affirm again that there is no one like the Lord. Here God affirms that His people Israel are special and there is no other nation like them.

This final passage encourages God’s people that His everlasting arms are there for them to lean on and He is their shield and sword. It is not a promise of peaceful paradise but of God’s protection and deliverance in the middle of conflict. We should be encouraged and happy today that the Lord is our shield and sword as we fight the fight of faith. See Ephesians 6:16-17.

The death of Moses

and he buried him in the valley in the land of Moab opposite Beth-peor; but no one knows the place of his burial to this day. Deuteronomy 34:6 (ESV)

This point is picked up in Jude 1:9. The devil would have wanted to have the body of Moses enshrined and then set up as an object of worship and distraction for God’s people. This is because Moses was recognised as being so great. We see the devil’s power is limited as the Archangel rebuked him in the name of the Lord.

Moses was one of the greatest prophets of all time and had experiences with God that no one else will ever have. He inaugurated the old covenant and was the mediator of the law. He saw some of the most breath taking miracles and despite all of this he was only a man, a servant of God. This is emphasised in that when he died God buried him.

We can learn from this that no matter how powerfully God uses us we are yet men subject to death. The abiding glory belongs to God alone through Jesus Christ our Lord. See 1 Peter 4:11 and Romans 11:36.

2 Corinthians 8:16–24

Don’t be arrogant

for we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord’s sight but also in the sight of man. 2 Corinthians 8:21 (ESV)

Like Paul we must avoid arrogance when working for the Lord. The Lord knowing we have acted in integrity is good but we need to be mindful of people. We need to ensure that we are open and honest before each other. We must portray the right image to outsiders to the glory of God and so the ministry and work does not come under unnecessary scrutiny or criticism.

The glory of the King

As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker for your benefit. And as for our brothers, they are messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ. So give proof before the churches of your love and of our boasting about you to these men. 2 Corinthians 8:23–24 (ESV)

As individual believers and as a church body we should bring Glory to Christ in our service and giving. We should also proclaim the glorious gospel that the King and his kingdom have come. The Church can also be seen as the glory of Christ because He has redeemed her and she is alluded to as His bride and prize.

We should bring honour and credit to Jesus by promoting His glory and living lives worthy of His calling. We are the light of the world, the body of Christ, the evidence of God’s victory and the proclaimers of His fame.

Psalm 46:1–11

God our refuge

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1 (ESV)

God remains a refuge for His people today. He is our strength and although He is the mighty King He is still very close and accessible to us. He makes Himself available to help us in times of trouble. We should have faith in God that He can help us right now. See Hebrews 7:25.

Be still

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” Psalm 46:10 (ESV)

We can take encouragement that God will be exalted over the nations and throughout the earth in our daily lives. We can trust in God’s power. The context here however is really pointing to the victory of Jesus at the second coming when He will put an end to war (see the previous verse) and all nations will bow to Him as the king. See Revelation 11:15.

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 8