Today’s reading: Josh 14:1–15:63, 2 Cor 11:16–23, Ps 54:1–7

Today’s theme: Wholly follow the Lord

The overarching theme of today’s readings is that we should wholly follow the Lord and so avoid the pitfalls of self deception, as we call upon God’s name to deliver us from the giants that want to defeat us. Wholly trusting in the Lord will cause us to see the armies of apparent giants coming to attack us, fall defeated, as we approach God with bold faith in prayer.

Joshua 14:1–15:63

Wholly follow the Lord

But my brothers who went up with me made the heart of the people melt; yet I wholly followed the LORD my God. And Moses swore on that day, saying, ‘Surely the land on which your foot has trodden shall be an inheritance for you and your children forever, because you have wholly followed the LORD my God.’ Joshua 14:8–9 (ESV)

Caleb is a great example to all of us, showing us that we should boldly put our trust in God. His account should also encourage us that God rewards our courageous faith in His service.

The word translated as ‘wholly’ is worth meditating on. It is from the Hebrew word ‘Mille’ and in this sense means “to follow fully” which is a verb meaning; to accept and follow leadership or guidance to the fullest extent.

The word itself carries the meanings: be full, filled, fill, complete, finish, fulfil, perform, to satisfy and carry out. It also carries a subtle meaning in this context of “eagerness to engage in some activity or event” (eager desire).

When we consider the meaning and root of the word “wholly followed”, it should help us to reflect on our attitude and heart towards God and His work, remembering Jesus’ greatest commandment in Matthew 22:37-38.

An army of giants defeated

Now the name of Hebron formerly was Kiriath-arba. (Arba was the greatest man among the Anakim.) And the land had rest from war. Joshua 14:15 (ESV)

To put this into context… the Anakim were a race of giants, but even giants are no match for God and His people! When we wholly follow the Lord, we can claim the victory over the greatest giants. See Matthew 17:20

Boldly ask in faith

She said to him, “Give me a blessing. Since you have given me the land of the Negeb, give me also springs of water.” And he gave her the upper springs and the lower springs. Joshua 15:19 (ESV)

Caleb’s daughter, like her father, is full of faith and zeal, she boldly approaches her father to ask for more than her original allotment and received a good response to her request for a blessing.

We can learn from Achsah’s example of bold asking, in faith, as Jesus affirms in Matthew 7:7-8.

This also shines a light on the fact that women had rights and were treated with dignity in Israelite culture, as opposed to the many Pagan nations where women did not enjoy these freedoms.

God’s heart for his daughters (and sons), is that they boldly come to Him directly in prayer and make their petitions clear, in faith. See James 1:6-8 and Matthew 21:22

The land of Israel

Ashdod, its towns and its villages; Gaza, its towns and its villages; to the Brook of Egypt, and the Great Sea with its coastline. Joshua 15:47 (ESV)

By this account, today’s Gaza strip really belongs to Israel. To find out more about God’s promises to the land of Israel, watch CHOSEN by the Ezra Foundation, available on the WWMF App today.

2 Corinthians 11:16–23

Self deception leads to further bondage

For you bear it if someone makes slaves of you, or devours you, or takes advantage of you, or puts on airs, or strikes you in the face. To my shame, I must say, we were too weak for that! But whatever anyone else dares to boast of—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast of that. 2 Corinthians 11:20–21 (ESV)

Paul gives a reluctant summary of his ministry which he intends to shame his critics into silence. There is a note of irony running throughout this passage and it is well illustrated here. The sad truth is that bondage to sin will lead into further bondage under manipulative and evil leaders, in all areas of life including the church.

The church in Corinth were bound by pride in their supposed maturity, to such an extent that they had unfounded confidence in their ability to discern and so were squarely deceived and exploited by false, self seeking, charlatans who led them into further bondage, through bad teaching and practise.

We must stay on our guard that we do not unwittingly open ourselves up to this type of self imposed abuse and oppression through either, misplaced confidence in ourselves, or in laziness, allowing ourselves to be manipulated as we follow the crowd’s popular consensus, rather than the bible. We must wholly follow the Lord.

Psalm 54:1–7

Call upon the Lord’s name

O God, save me by your name, and vindicate me by your might. Psalm 54:1 (ESV)

Verse 1 and verse 6 mention God’s name as a means of salvation and as the one that thanks will be given to. The name of God is manifested in Jesus, the eternal Word.

Names have power throughout the scriptures and in the world today. When an ambassador or messenger speaks in the name of a king, the full force of the kingdom is with him, just like the full force of the law is behind every police officer calling out stop or pull over.

Peter used the name of the Lord Jesus in Acts 3:6, making the power of Jesus present for the man’s healing. We can call upon the name of the Lord today, knowing His power is made present to save, heal and to deliver. See Romans 10:13

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 11

Today’s reading: Josh 12:1–13:32, 2 Cor 11:7–15, Ps 52:1–53:6

Today’s theme: The daily battle

We have a cross to bear and battles to fight every day. We need to identify the kings that need to be defeated (like laziness, frustration, anger, selfishness etc.) and defeat them each day. We need to realise that we are at war whether we like it or not.

The gospel is under attack and we need to defend it. We need to do something with the victory that God has won for us through the gospel, today.

Joshua 12:1–13:32

A daily battle

the king of Tirzah, one: in all, thirty-one kings. Joshua 12:24 (ESV)

The longest month we can have is 31 days long, if we think of each day as a king to be conquered, the application would be that we have a battle of some sort to fight every day. 

Jesus said “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” in Matthew 6:34. He said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” in Luke 9:23.

Do something with the victory God has won

all the inhabitants of the hill country from Lebanon to Misrephoth-maim, even all the Sidonians. I myself will drive them out from before the people of Israel. Only allot the land to Israel for an inheritance, as I have commanded you. Now therefore divide this land for an inheritance to the nine tribes and half the tribe of Manasseh.” Joshua 13:6–7 (ESV)

God fights for His people and will drive the peoples from the land for them, but He will not divide the land for them as this was a task that He had given to Joshua, as the leader of the people. God has won the victory for us too but like Joshua, we are called to follow His commands in regards to using what God has won for us. See Galatians 5:1

2 Corinthians 11:7–15

We are at war!

For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds. 2 Corinthians 11:13–15 (ESV)

Ever since this time, there have been false Apostles who pretend to be servants of God, but they are inspired by satan, satanic teaching and are full of hypocrisy. Showing one face to the people and another in private, they harbour evil doctrine and their core driving force is self exaltation, through manipulation and deceit just like satan.

This is evident all over the world, from established apostate institutions like the Roman Catholic Church, through to Word of Faith Prosperity Preachers on TV. Like Jesus said; we should not be deceived by their schemes, we should submit to our true shepherds (Pastors and Elders) and stay on our guard against the deceivers, submitting to the guidance and truth of God’s word and the Holy Spirit.

We need to fight for the true faith, against the perversions and lies of satan’s servants. We are at war.

Psalm 52:1–53:6

Trust in God

“See the man who would not make God his refuge, but trusted in the abundance of his riches and sought refuge in his own destruction!” Psalm 52:7 (ESV)

We need to avoid the trap of trusting in our wages and possessions, we should put our faith in God.

All men are sinners

They have all fallen away; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one. Psalm 53:3 (ESV)

Paul also picks this up in Romans, to prove that all men are under the condemnation of sin, Romans 3:10-12. This is why we needed a saviour in 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 11

Today’s reading: Josh 10:16–11:23, 2 Cor 11:1–6, Ps 51:1–19

Today’s theme: Pride is the enemy

In today’s reading we come across a strange word; “Merom” which at its root represents pride. The lesson is that one of our greatest enemies is our own pride. The only way to defeat this enemy is to continually humble ourselves before God, put your foot on the enemy’s neck today by casting pride aside. Be a humble servant in God’s hands.

Joshua 10:16–11:23

The enemy is under our feet

And Joshua said to them, “Do not be afraid or dismayed; be strong and courageous. For thus the LORD will do to all your enemies against whom you fight.” Joshua 10:25 (ESV)

Joshua uses the same words of encouragement that he received from Moses and God, to encourage the people to be strong and courageous. As he speaks to the leaders he tells them to put their feet on the enemy kings’ necks.

We can learn from this, that we too should be strong in the Lord and courageous as we battle the enemy, knowing that the enemy is under our feet. See Luke 10:19 and Romans 16:20

The enemy of pride

And all these kings joined their forces and came and encamped together at the waters of Merom to fight against Israel. Joshua 11:5 (ESV)

The word ‘Merom’ has the following meaning: “heights, (place) on high, being in an elevated position; by extension: pride, haughtiness, arrogance, an improperly high opinion of oneself; exaltation, high in honour and status” (Mounce’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old & New Testament Words).

This helps us to see a parallel truth, which is that attacks will often come in the form of or from a place of pride. Knowing this will help us to defeat the enemy, especially when that enemy is our own prideful flesh. We can win the battle by humbling ourselves. See 1 Peter 5:6

Finish the work

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 (ESV)

Joshua like Jesus, finished the work he had been sent to do (John 17:4). This gives us a great example of determined faithfulness, we should not procrastinate but should wholly follow the Lord and finish the work He has called each of us to do.

Take time today to stop and think about anything the Lord has called you to do which you have left half done. Determine in your heart to finish it, pray, make a plan and finish it. See Paul’s resolve in Acts 20:24.

God is sovereign over the enemy

For it was the LORD’s doing to harden their hearts that they should come against Israel in battle, in order that they should be devoted to destruction and should receive no mercy but be destroyed, just as the LORD commanded Moses. Joshua 11:20 (ESV)

God hardens the heart of these people like He did to Pharaoh, to accomplish His purpose, this was not open to multiple outcomes or just random. God was orchestrating these coalitions so that they could be judged and destroyed by Joshua.

In the same way, as part of God’s sovereign plan, the hearts of the leaders were hardened against Jesus, leading to the cross and ultimate victory. God is so sovereign that He even uses the wicked, stubborn and cold in heart as a part of the wider accomplishment of His plans. See Romans 9:18

2 Corinthians 11:1–6

A pure and devoted people

But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. 2 Corinthians 11:3 (ESV)

The false teachers that had come against Paul in Corinth were doing the work of Satan by seducing the church with a new “false / inadequate” gospel.

In the same way that Jesus is the last Adam, the Church is the last Eve. Like the narrative in the garden, we (the church) need to guard ourselves from the type of seducing deception that lured Eve into apostasy.

Again, this is a battle for the minds of the body of Christ, it is the thoughts  that Satan seeks to lead believers astray from single-mindedness in Christ. We must defend the biblical and orthodox interpretation of the scriptures, and the Gospel handed down to us from those who went on before us.

We should fully embrace the idea of being the bride of Christ and therefore be faithful in our thoughts and actions to our loving husband, Christ.

The other gospels

For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough. 2 Corinthians 11:4 (ESV)

Paul was being very clear here. Jesus, Spirit and Gospel are each core elements of our Faith.

The true Jesus Christ who was crucified and rose from the dead. The True Holy Spirit given as a gift from God, as the fulfilment of the promise and the pledge of inheritance. The real Gospel of forgiveness and reconciliation in Christ.

Paul knew that these three elements stand or fall together. “Another Jesus” would mean a “different Spirit,” since the Spirit is the Spirit of Jesus Christ (Romans 8:9 and Philippians. 1:19), and a “different gospel,” since the gospel is about Jesus (2 Corinthians 2:12 and 9:13).

In Paul’s time, the different Gospel likely focused on health and wealth, possibly along the lines “the more law you keep the more blessed you will be.” These opponents were opposed to Paul’s message of weakness, suffering and servanthood in Christ.

Today we too must guard against false Gospels which distort the message, we deal with this in the WWMF production “The Gospel”. You can see the Gospel in bite size segments at our Vimeo Channel here.

Psalm 51:1–19

Your sin is your fault

Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. Psalm 51:4 (ESV)

We must take responsibility for our own sin and recognise that we have sinned against God. Our culture subtly teaches us that it is never ultimately our fault… but it is.

Humble yourself

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Psalm 51:17 (ESV)

As mentioned earlier, cast pride aside and humbly bow before God.

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 11

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