Devotionary

Israel's first conquest in the land was going to involve questionable tactics and would require unwavering faith on the part of the people of Israel. But if they would do their part, God would miraculously do His.

Joshua has an encounter with an unknown and armed stranger would prove to be the Son of God Himself in His pre-incarnate form. And He would bring with Him an assurance that the people of Israel were far from alone.

This rather bizarre story shows us that God takes obedience to His commands seriously. The people of Israel were in the land, but they would not be allowed to possess it until they had set themselves apart through the God-ordained rite of circumcision.

After God miraculously provides a way for the Israelites to cross the Jordan River on dry ground, Joshua calls on the Israelites to fear God. He is the all-powerful God who deserves their upmost respect and their undivided allegiance.

Failure to remember what God has done in the past can result in an inability to trust Him for the present. So, in Joshua 4:1-14, we see God commanding Joshua to construct a memorial to commemorate their crossing over the Jordan River.

God brings His people to what appears to be another obstacle, but that will become an object lesson in faith. God showed up and the waters of the sea opened up, providing a way of escape and a means by which God would make His promise attainable.

God was about to do wonders in their midst. This time, it would not be about food appearing on the ground each morning with the dew. These wonders were going to involve miracles of might and power that involved battles and victories over enemies. But God would be in it all.

Rahab has to put her faith in the two spies, but also their God. The sign she is given is a simple scarlet cord. It will be a signal to the Israelite troops to spare all those inside her home. Rahab hung that cord in her window and then waited – in faith.

Rahab was a woman of faith. She knew little about the God of Israel, but she knew enough to trust in His power and might. She had heard about His exploits and had determined to place her faith in Him instead of the gods of her own people.

Joshua prepares the people to enter God’s rest, but by warning them that it was going to take effort. The land was theirs, but they would have to fight for it. It would require obedient submission to God’s will and trust in His power to provide.

This book is far more than a story about Israel making a home for themselves in the promised land. It is about the greater promise of a future inheritance that God provided through one of their own: Jesus Christ, the Son of God and the Savior of the World.

Jesus graciously offers all those who read this book an invitation to come to Him. In light of all that John has seen and recorded in his book, Jesus offers a chance for all to escape the wrath to come by accepting God’s gracious gift of grace.

In Revelation 22:6-11, an angel tells John to keep what he has written unsealed, available for all to read. Because the time is near. The end is coming. It is not a matter of if, but when. These things are not possibilities or probabilities, but God-ordained certainties.

The tree of life will be present in the New Jerusalem. It still retains its life-giving properties and will not only be accessible but indispensable in the eternal state, as a source of eternal well-being to all who worship God and the Lamb.

The New Jerusalem is unmarred by sin and illuminated by the very presence of God. Holiness permeates its streets, buildings, gates and citizens. And while it will have walls, there will be no enemies. And the gates will be open at all times.