THE LORD SPOKE (March 26)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Old Testament: Joshua 1-2

Joshua was a man set to change history. From his call by God (Josh. 1:1-3), he was given the monstrous task of leading the children of Israel after Moses. Three times (Josh. 1:6,7,9) he was commanded to “Be strong and courageous!” No doubt, he needed that reminder.

Two things stand out in the text. First is the promise of the Lord’s enabling presence: “I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.... The Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Josh. 1:5,9). He’s told that God would be with him “just as he was with Moses” and that’s really saying something!

The second factor is Joshua’s link to the Word of God. Moses had written down God’s revelation to him. A copy of those five books were recorded on a scroll (“this Book of the Law”) and given to Joshua to instruct him in the way he should go. He was to “meditate on it day and night” and to be careful to put every detail into practice (Josh. 1:8). Then, and only then, was success guaranteed.

Our situation is not far different. You may not have to lead a recalcitrant people like Israel, and you may not find yourself following in the footsteps of a man like Moses. But, no doubt, you need and want the Lord’s enabling presence in your life. Jesus has promised that the Comforter would be with us forever (Jn. 14:16,26; 15:26). Besides His enabling presence, He will guide us into all truth.

When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned. "I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. (Jn. 16:8-13)

A major part of the Holy Spirit’s presence in our lives is in leading us to an understanding of the proper meaning (interpretation) and application of Scripture. That, of course, presupposes that we are reading Scripture regularly, systematically, and with an open heart.

How is it with you? Do you hear His voice?


New Testament: John 17

It almost feels like eavesdropping. We’re allowed for a moment to listen in on an intimate conversation between the persons of the Godhead. Once again Jesus is found praying just before a momentous event - in this case, His hour of greatest need. This was his “finest hour” and we are allowed to listen in.

His words are a grand summary of what is most important in life. All the elements are there! Consider the following:

• PRAYER - The whole of this chapter is a prayer but three times the Lord states specific requests: “I pray for [the ones you gave me]” (vs. 9); “My prayer is...that you would protect them from the evil one” (vs. 15); and “My prayer is for...those who will believe in me through their message” (vs. 20).
• SCRIPTURE - All things come about “so that the Scripture would be fulfilled” (vs. 12). Jesus says, “I have given them your word” (vs. 14) and “your word is truth” (vs. 17). It’s what motivates us to obey Him (vs. 6).
• RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD - This - to know God - constitutes eternal life (vs. 3). It comes to us by revelation (vs. 6, 8). It is what sustains us through all trials (vs. 11, 12) and that which will protect [us] from the evil one” (vs. 15).
• MISSION / PURPOSE IN LIFE - By His example (“I have brought you glory” - vs. 4a), Jesus has shown us the ultimate purpose of life. Just as he completed the work the Father gave Him to do we are to carry on that mission. He has sent us into the world (mentioned 18x in this chapter!) to spread His message so that others will believe also (vs. 20).
• LOVE - God’s love for us is what motivates us to seek His glory (vs. 24-26). This is in stark contrast to the world which produces only hate (vs. 14). So, while we’re in the world, we’re not of the world. But Christ has placed us in the world to demonstrate His love to others (vs. 23).

What a prayer! Maybe it will motivate us to think a little more about how we pray.

THE LORD SPOKE (March 11)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Old Testament: Deuteronomy 1-2

You better have a map out when you read this passage. And it better be a good one. If you’re looking for where to find the Emites, Horites, Zamzummites you might run into some trouble. At least the Ammonites and the Moabites might sound a little more familiar.

Start with where the Israelites came from. Kadesh Barnea was in northern Sinai (today it’s actually over the border and on the Egyptian side). We’re told that it is an eleven day journey from Kadesh Barnea to Horeb (Deut. 1:2). Another four or five days would put them on the Plains of Moab where Moses delivered his sermons - five of them here in Deuteronomy.

The first chapter pulls together several terms to describe what Moses is doing here. He “spoke to all Israel” (Deut. 1:1), he “proclaimed to the Israelites all that the Lord had commanded” (Deut. 1:3), and then he “began to expound this law” (Deut. 1:5).

Deuteronomy 1:7 has a succinct description of the Promised Land - “the hill country [= central mountain ridge]...the Arabah [= the Jordan Rift Valley], the mountains [= northern Galilee], the western foothills [= Shephelah], the Negev [southern desert], and along the coast [= coastal plain]”. Take careful note: this was promised “to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob” (Deut. 1:8), not to Abraham, Ishmael, and the Arabs.

There follows a series of triads, each of which could render good fruit for further study:

• Deut. 1:12 - problems, burdens, disputes
• Deut. 1:13 - wise, understanding, and respected men
• Deut. 1:16 - hear, judge fairly, do not show partiality
• Deut. 1:19-21 - saw the Land, reached the Land, go in and take possession of the Land
• Deut. 1:26-27 - unwilling to go, rebelled, grumbled

The list could go on, but the saddest triad is what Israel thought about what God was doing. After all His loving provision in bringing them out of Egypt and through that vast desert, they said (Deut. 1:27):

1. “the Lord hates us”
2. “he brought us out of Egypt to deliver us [to the enemy]”
3. he wants “to destroy us”

How could they get it so wrong? Moses took them to task and that’s the bulk of what remains in this book. It’s a marvelous reminder of Israel’s history but a good lesson and reminder to us also of our rebellious nature and how to deal with it. We have a gracious God!


New Testament: John 2

When the couple made out their guest list, they made a point of inviting Jesus and His disciples to the wedding in Cana (Jn. 2:2). Why might that be? It certainly suggests that He wasn’t some sourpuss looking for parades to rain on. Having Jesus at your party was a big plus, unless, of course, it was the wrong sort of party.

For example, in the very next story, Jesus turns out the party animals who made a mockery of the sanctity of His Father’s house (Jn. 2:14-16). Yet He was there in Jerusalem to celebrate what was/is arguably the most fun of all the Jewish festivals - Passover. Jesus was frequently the guest of honor at dinner parties and various gatherings of small groups. I find it very interesting that in every post-resurrection appearance of the Lord there is food involved. Our great reunion with Him and all His saints is called the “Wedding Feast of the Lamb” (Rev. 19:9).

But back to Cana. Jesus’ mother was there too and appears to have some connections to the family hosting the wedding party. She is aware when the supplies run low and asks her Son to do something about it. Coming as it does at the very beginning of His public ministry, this represents a temptation to use His divine power for personal aggrandizement. That explains His seemingly abrupt words to her in verse four: “Dear woman, why do you involve me?” It is also reflected in His statement that His time had not yet come.

Indeed, it hadn’t. Until that very moment! The story concludes with a statement that this was “the first of His miraculous signs” and that “He thus revealed His glory” (Jn. 2:11). The time had come! O, glory - how it had come. For the next three and a half years He laid the foundation of our faith on His words and works.

Come, Thou long expected Jesus,
Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us;
Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art,
Dear Desire of ev’ry nation
Joy of ev’ry longing heart.

Born Thy people to deliver,
Born a child, and yet a King,
Born to reign in us forever,
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all-sufficient merit,
Raise us to Thy glorious throne.