Daily Devotionals

Who are the wise?

This too, is clear. The teacher of the law and the philosopher (vers 20), saying that only the foolish will believe.
We are often asked how we can trust in a source that was written by men, but it is never considered that many have tried to discredit and disprove our beliefs over the course of millennia and still people are coming to faith in Jesus.
There must be something about our faith that causes more and more people to accept the death (and resurrection) of Christ as the only atonement for their sins?
Could it be that all their earthly knowledge and doctor’s degrees cannot fill the void that a life without God offers?

Who are the wicked?

Those who think that God is only a concept and live their life according to their own desires, also saying that only the foolish will believe. They question and often reject the very existence of God and takes no responsibility for their actions. There are also those who might believe in God as a distant, impersonal figure that doesn’t have the ability to know our very next thought or action. (Ps 73 v 11)
This is an extremely dangerous position to hold and there is only one outcome for people who think that the God of the universe will not judge them at the appropriate time.

We as believers, should never forget where we come from and how God saved us from certain demise. Therefore, “let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” (vers 31)

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB, Life Application Study Bible, unless stated otherwise. Copyright by “The Lockman Foundation”

21/08/2023
Jos 1 v 1 - 2 v 24

Be strong and courageous

⁶ “Be strong and courageous,, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. ⁷ Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. ⁸ Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. ⁹ This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (vers 6-9) [NLT]

Be strong and very courageous

Have you ever had to prepare for something that caused your bones to shiver? One can easily become strong by following a vigorous training program combined with the correct diet, but it takes more than physical strength to have the courage to take on an army. We often confuse the two and in the above passage God mentions this twice, while emphasizing just how courageous Joshua should be.

Obey all instructions

Joshua was instructed to obey the Lord’s commandments, without deviating from them. Then, and then only would he take possession of the promised land. Moses knew how rebellious the Israelites were and that it would take a special leader to take charge of this mammoth task. Joshua had the reassurance that he would be victorious and that God would never fail, nor forsake him (Deut 31 v 8; Jos 1 v 5).