The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People.
Read God’s Word:
Joshua 11-14
Act 2: God’s Covenant People
Scene 4: The Land: God’s place for his people
Background Information: Joshua 11-14
Israel fights a defensive battle against a large coalition of forces from the north. Joshua uses sound military tactics (the element of surprise); his men must fight the battle, but it is the Lord that gives them the victory. It is difficult to keep this tension. Success can breed complacency in trusting God alone for victory. At the same time, trusting God cannot become an excuse for passivity. If you struggle to make sense of God hardening the hearts of the kings to wage war against Israel, remember Exodus where Pharaoh hardened his heart and God hardened Pharaoh’s heart. In Scripture there are points of no return for the human heart, and God alone knows when a person has reached that terrible place. Joshua was a man who had laid down his life for his people. He was a warrior, ready to lead in battle, forced to wander with his people for forty years because of their fear, not his own. Once in the land, he leads the people for many years of warfare. Caleb too was a man of faith and courage. He, along with Joshua, trusted God and urged Israel to enter the promised land. The rest of the people shrunk back in fear and even tried to stone Caleb and Joshua to silence them. It can be disheartening to read of Israel’s near constant failure and wonder, “Can anyone remain faithful?” Joshua and Caleb tell us the answer is “yes!” You too can remain faithful. If someone can, anyone can. The fact that we are sinners in need of a savior does not mean that we do not have all we need from God to be found faithful. We can and we must make this choice.
Pray:
Praise God for…
Thank God for…
Confess your sins to God
Ask God to save those in your life who do not know him. Pray that you would have opportunities to share gospel truth.
Ask God for… (what else concerns you?)
Reflect:
Write down one passage of scripture that stood out to you today.
Write down why this passage stood out to you.
Engage Community:
Text or call some now and tell them…
– What you are praying for.
– What stood out from God’s word today.
Review the Storyline Map: Where we are in the Bible
Act 1 God’s Plan for All People
Scene 1: The Creation: The God of all of life.
Scene 2: The Fall: Rejecting God’s vision for life
Scene 3: The Flood: God judges and makes a covenant to preserve life
Act 2 God’s Covenant People
Scene 1: The People: God calls a Covenant People
Scene 2: Deliverance: God rescues his people.
Scene 3: The Sinai Covenant and law: God embraces and instructs his people
Week 12:
Scene 4: The Land: God’s place for his people
Day 1: Joshua 3-6
Day 2: Joshua 7-10
Day 3: Joshua 11-14
Day 4: Joshua 15-18
Day 5: Joshua 19-22
Day 6: Joshua 23-24, Judges 1
Scene 5: Kings and Prophets: God shapes a kingdom people
Scene 6: Kings and Prophets: God divides the kingdom people.
Scene 7: Kings and Prophets: The southern kingdom as God’s people
Scene 8: Exile: God disciplines his people
Scene 9: Return: God delivers his people again
Act 3 God’s New Covenant People
Scene 1: Christ’s coming: God’s true king arrives
Scene 2: Christ’s ministry: God’s true king manifest his kingdom
Scene 3: Christ’s deliverance of his people: God’s work through the death, resurrection, and enthronement of his king
Scene 4: Christ’s church: God’s people advance the kingdom
Scene 5: Christ second coming: God future for the kingdom