READING:
One-year plan: Joshua 22-24, Luke 9:28-62
Two-year plan: Leviticus 16, Mark 1:14-28
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Today is one of those days when it might be best if I just insert the Word of God here and let it speak for itself. Joshua was calling God’s people to covenant renewal, and he recited their history as God gave it to him. As you read, note the words I’ve highlighted:
And Joshua said to all the people, “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘Long ago, your fathers lived beyond the Euphrates, Terah, the father of Abraham and of Nahor; and they served other gods. Then I took your father Abraham from beyond the River and led him through all the land of Canaan, and made his offspring many. I gave him Isaac. And to Isaac I gave Jacob and Esau. And I gave Esau the hill country of Seir to possess, but Jacob and his children went down to Egypt. And I sent Moses and Aaron, and I plagued Egypt with what I did in the midst of it, and afterward I brought you out.
Then I brought your fathers out of Egypt, and you came to the sea. And the Egyptians pursued your fathers with chariots and horsemen to the Red Sea. And when they cried to the Lord, he put darkness between you and the Egyptians and made the sea come upon them and cover them; and your eyes saw what I did in Egypt. And you lived in the wilderness a long time. Then I brought you to the land of the Amorites, who lived on the other side of the Jordan. They fought with you, and I gave them into your hand, and you took possession of their land, and Idestroyed them before you. Then Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose and fought against Israel. And he sent and invited Balaam the son of Beor to curse you, but I would not listen to Balaam. Indeed, he blessed you. So I delivered you out of his hand. And you went over the Jordan and came to Jericho, and the leaders of Jericho fought against you, and also the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Girgashites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. And I gave them into your hand. And I sent the hornet before you, which drove them out before you, the two kings of the Amorites; it was not by your sword or by your bow. 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.’” (Josh. 24:2-13)
It doesn’t take long to see that these verses echo with the truth that God is the center of the Hebrew story. He called them, led them, delivered them, and gave them the land. All they had, they had because of Him. That’s the same for us – and to Him be all the glory!
PERSONAL REFLECTION: How much do you think about all God has done for you?
PRAYER: “Thank You, Lord, for all You’ve done for me.”
TOMORROW’S READINGS:
One-year plan: Judges 1-3, Luke 10:1-24
Two-year plan: Leviticus 17-18, Mark 1:29-45
*first published in 2018