March 11
Today’s Reading - Joshua 1-3
(Josh 1:2 KJV) Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel.
In today’s reading as we begin the book of Joshua, God starts out with this direct statement that, “Moses my servant is dead.” The people of Israel mourned for Moses thirty days as they did for Aaron. This was a different situation than the death of Aaron. When Aaron died, Moses then took the garments of the High Priest and placed them on Eleazer, the son of Aaron. Joshua was to lead the people of Israel into the promised land. God was declaring that Moses is now dead for the purpose of instructing the people that the era of Moses was now over and God’s man in leadership was now Joshua. There may have been some mourners of Moses who may not have accepted Joshua as leader and this is why God was emphasizing that Israel will now go forth under Joshua. This is a great lesson for all of us to learn. While none of us want to embrace our own mortality, nevertheless, it is a reality. Some Christians will nobly proclaim on Sunday that they can’t wait to be with Jesus, yet on Monday, for the slightest reason, they are running to the doctor. There is nothing wrong with wanting to stay healthy and in the service of the Lord here on Earth. Paul had the same dilemma, he wanted to be with the Lord, yet he wanted to remain to build the churches and complete his work. This scenario is an excellent lesson for us to learn. If you hold a leadership position in a ministry, church, or even your own business, it behooves you to begin grooming a person whom you believe is qualified and shows leadership ability to move the enterprise along after your retirement or home going. The apostle Paul knew that death was always knocking at his door and this is why when he trained Timothy to be a Pastor, he told him to start training those whom he thought was showing ability. (2 Tim 2:2 KJV) And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. When a person in leadership roles hits 70 or 80 years of age and still refuses to even acknowledge the possibility that their period of service may be coming to an end, is setting up a disaster for the next generation. What if Moses said, I am not going to train anyone, I can still handle it! When Moses died, there would have been chaos in the camp, then all the little factions would have tried to get their own person in the office. God expects those in leadership positions to train the faithful people for the next generation. It is nothing but pride when a person refuses to let go of the reins or looks at a qualified person as a threat to their position. Many good people have been let go in ministries and churches simply because of the sin of jealousy on the part of the leadership. As Christians, it is our responsibility and a command to train the next generation of faithful Christians. The Moses-Joshua scenario also brings something else to light. Those in headship positions should not only be looking for future leaders in their own families or relatives. Look for the most qualified to lead, and if it is not a relative, then God has made the choice by grooming the person. Plain English, you are not going to place a dope in a position where people’s eternal souls are at stake just because he is your son in law, son, nephew, brother, etc. You just train the right person and let God work out the details. Moses had his Joshua, who do you have?
March 12
Today’s Reading - Joshua 4-6
(Josh 6:20 KJV) So the people shouted when the priests blew with the trumpets: and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city.
In today’s reading we come across this great passage of Scripture where we read the narrative of the taking of Jericho. Now if you were a military leader, you would sit down and plan a strategic assault on the city and you would definitely look at their weak points and hope to find one so you could begin the attack. This is the way a military leader would assess the situation before he would engage his troops in battle. However, God had given Joshua a different plan of approach. For the first six days, they were to encircle the city without uttering a word. Jericho was a fortified city with a history of going back as far as 8000 BC and may have been named after the Moon god of that area. The actual size of Jericho was only about 8 ½ acres but it contained a great oasis. By 7000 BC the city became fortified and remained a fortified city until the time of Joshua. The fortifications of the city would have been impossible to tackle because the walls were about 30 feet tall and were double rowed. The inner wall was about twelve feet thick. If a general decided to wait outside the walls to try and starve them, they would be the ones to starve because with a major oasis of water inside, it could provide water to drink and to grow crops well. The Bible says that God already gave the city to Joshua but now they needed to claim it. So God gave the method in which they were take the city. The first six days they circled the city without saying a word but on the seventh day, they were to circle it seven times. After the seventh time, the priests were to make a long blast on the ram’s horn and upon hearing it, the people were to shout loudly and then the walls fell outward, down the hill. The Israelites than ascended the hill and took the city. Some great principles in this story. God already gave them the city before they started their campaign. God already won the victory over sin and Satan before we became Christians, in fact, the Bible teaches that Christ was the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. As the Israelites were marching for the first 6 days in silence, it reminds me of the promise of God, to stand still and see the salvation of the Lord. For the first six days, it was a testing program for the Israelites to see if they would obey God. They did and received the victory over Jericho. It is the same with us, there is a time of testing and if we are faithful we will reap whatever fruit God has for us. It was God who brought down the walls of Jericho. It was God who was the author and is the finisher of our salvation. What is the overriding lesson we learn from Joshua 6? (Isa 55:8 KJV) For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
March 13
Today’s Reading - Joshua 7-9
(Josh 7:5 KJV) And the men of Ai smote of them about thirty and six men: for they chased them from before the gate even unto Shebarim, and smote them in the going down: wherefore the hearts of the people melted, and became as water.
In today’s reading we come across this verse which gives the Christian a mighty lesson. God strictly commanded Joshua on the spoils of Jericho and what was to be done with it. Achan saw a nice garment, along with gold and silver, so he figured he would take it and no one would notice. He was right no one knew he took the garment and the metals. Joshua had commanded the men of war in Israel to go against the men of Ai. It was a small place so Joshua did not commit all his troops. He sent about three thousand men. However, the tables were turned against Israel and thirty six of their men were killed and the rest of the army was chased. Joshua then inquired of the Lord and God told Him why Israel was defeated by the small army. Achan had violated the command of God in taking some of the spoils for himself. Here is one mighty principle. You cannot sin in private and think that your sin does not affect others. Because of the sin of Achan, thirty six men lost their lives. Achan thought that he could get away with it. He did not count on God exposing his sin to Joshua and all Israel. Remember Moses, he looked this way and that way but he neglected to look up before he killed the Egyptian. Another major principle we can glean from this narrative is that when there is sin in the camp of your life, it affects your ability to deal with situations. Achan’s sin affected the strength of Israel and when we play around with sin, it weakens us spiritually and if we do not let go of the sin, it will eventually overcome us and we will have no spiritual strength in our walk. God gave specific instructions to Israel concerning the spoils of Jericho, but one man chose to disobey. Notice he CHOSE to disobey. As a Christian, when we disobey, it is by choice. Achan’s sin caused the weakness of the entire nation. (Eccl 9:18 KJV) Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good. Have you ever heard about churches or ministries which seem to go into tumult and no one can figure out why, until someone comes forth and admits they were sinning? Private sin creates public turmoil. Achan’s seemingly private sin caused not only the death of thirty six men but also his and his family‘s. Sometimes we think a little sin may be an innocent thing but it is a destructive beginning. Achan may have had a history of lust for money or it may be that he got caught up in the moment when he saw all that shiny metal. It did not matter to God, because disobedience is disobedience. Once the sin was expunged from the camp by means of stoning and burning of the perpetrators, Israel was strengthened in the Lord and with much wisdom they took the city. If you are lacking strength in your Christian walk or maybe you are on a shelf, even though you possess great skills, it may be that you are partaking of Achan’s attitude. Check yourself before it is too late.
March 14
Today’s Reading - Joshua 10-12
(Josh 10:13-14 KJV) And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day. {14} And there was no day like that before it or after it, that the LORD hearkened unto the voice of a man: for the LORD fought for Israel.
In today’s reading we come across these famous passages of Scripture which detail one of the greatest miracles in the Bible. Joshua was defeating the Amorites and he did not want the battle to stretch on. If night would have fallen, then the Amorites would probably have regrouped and then they might have surrounded Israel and defeated them. So Joshua petitioned the Lord for the sun to stand still so the battle could be won. The Scripture tells us that God was fighting for Israel against the Amorites. So God kept the sun still and Joshua won the battle against the Amorites. Some years ago, the folks at NASA were in a dilemma and their computers had found a glitch in time calculations. There was a day missing somewhere and they could not find out what the problem was. So they went back in time and found that a day was missing in ancient times which corresponded to the timing of Joshua’s era. NASA had proven the Bible correct in that one whole day was missing according to the Scriptures. Now I remember that from memory, so if I am in error on the details, forgive me, but this is a true event. This narrative reminds me of another sun which stays in the sky bright until the war is won. Of course, that sun is spelled S-O-N. The Lord Jesus Christ is referred to as the Sun of Righteousness. (Mal 4:2 KJV) But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. Our Lord Jesus Christ will shine brightly in the heavens as He fights the battles for us. He will not abandon us to fight in the dark and alone. Our battles will be won at the Savior’s feet. (Heb 13:5 KJV) Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. As we face daily battles or large battles, we can be thankful that as the Lord was with Joshua in the midst of battle, He will be there for us. We can be thankful that the war is won and there are only a few skirmishes left. As General Joshua led Israel into battle, General Jesus (Joshua is Hebrew for Jesus) will lead spiritual Israel into battle, and when the sun finally goes down, we will be safe in the promised land with peace all around forever. (Isa 32:17 KJV) And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.
March 15
Today’s Reading - Joshua 13-15
(Josh 13:1 KJV) Now Joshua was old and stricken in years; and the LORD said unto him, Thou art old and stricken in years, and there remaineth yet very much land to be possessed.
In today’s reading we begin this verse which tells us that Joshua was in his old age and yet there was much land to be taken so Israel could dwell in safety. A few days ago I had written a commentary which focused on handing the work down to the next generation. As we progress in our Christian life, we may make great strides in getting the Gospel out to many nations or just a small group of Christians whom God has assigned us to train. With all the achievements we may make we must always be cognizant of the fact that parallel with anything we do, we are getting older at the same time. Sometimes we feel that God cannot take us home yet because we still have so much more work to do. How many of us remember Dr. James M. Boice whom the Lord took home on June 15, 2000. He received the diagnosis of Pancreatic Cancer on Good Friday which was just about eight weeks prior to his home going. He was only 61 years old and I am sure he felt that there was still much land to be possessed. We never know when we will write our final article, preach our final sermon, give our final dollar to the Lord’s work, teach our last Sunday School Class, or pass out our last faithful tract. This is why we must be faithful to the Lord ‘s work and not squander any time the Lord has given us. Even as you read this commentary, there is still much land to be possessed. We must strive to have the same epitaph that David had as recorded in Acts 13:36. (Acts 13:36 KJV) For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption: Each of us are responsible to serve our own generation with the spiritual gifts and talents which God has given us. As we serve our own generation in truth, we prepare the next generation for service. Each successive generation will have much land to possess. As I look at the great Christian heritage we have in the USA and of those generations that came before us which made this possible, we must strive to bring that great testimony to the future generations. We must keep taking the land in every generation until the land is finally cleansed which will come on the last day when the last one is saved. If you want to find the great spiritual heritage, especially here in the USA, then find an old cemetery. There is a Colonial Cemetery in Metuchen, NJ just about 2 miles from my home. I went there last year and saw a tombstone which told of a man, Daniel McGregor, who loved the Lord Jesus and the ministry of His word so much, that he left $395 to his church. Now $395 today seems like nothing much but in 1806, it probably had the equivalent buying power of $30,000. Now his epitaph is not a message of pride but of testimony. Do you know how I know that? Because before today, you didn’t know this man existed but now his testimony of love for the Lord is world wide, and he has been in Glory for 196 years. I would even venture to say, that his gift of love to the Lord of $395 is still bearing fruit today through the Kingdom of Christ. Since Spring is only 5 days away, you may want to visit an old cemetery near you. It is not macabre but Christian history before your eyes. I would also invite you to visit my page on my site entitled
“The Old Cemetery.”
March 16
Today’s Reading - Joshua 16-18
(Josh 16:5 KJV) And the border of the children of Ephraim according to their families was thus: even the border of their inheritance on the east side was Atarothaddar, unto Bethhoron the upper;
In today’s reading we come across this verse which shows us that the land which the Lord promised to the children of Israel was starting to be parceled out to the appropriate tribes. We see that with each parcel of land, God was giving details concerning the borders. In fact, the word “border” shows up eighteen times and the word “borders” appears one time in these three chapters. God is emphasizing the fact that each tribe will be within certain borders. Each tribe is to respect and to honor those borders which God has given to the twelve tribes. There was not to be any land battles to try and take the land of any other tribe. Each was to live within their own border. This principle of living with the God ordained border is also a biblical principle that Christians need to adapt to. I remember when the Promise Keepers movement was going strong and one of their main teachings was breaking down the barriers. Now I know what barriers they wanted to break down, however, it never materialized in a God glorifying manner. They were breaking down the barriers and allowing the false ecumenical movement to become a major player in their movement. They even had Roman Catholic Priests as speakers in their local rallies. God is never pleased nor glorified when false gospels try to hold hands with the true Gospel. This is why God creates barriers and borders in the Christian life. It serves two purposes: 1) To keep the believer inside the barrier of truth, and 2) to keep the false teachings out. As God gave borders to Israel, He gives them to us also. The fact that the word “border” shows up nineteen times means that we should really look at this closely. God didn’t record this part of Scripture simply to show that He knows how to plan a country. He wants us to be cognizant of the fact that borders are a necessary part of the Christian life. He has set borders around many facets of this life such as marriage and sex. So many have crossed the sin border in these areas and in response, God has judged many with diseases like AIDS. He has a set a permanent border around the child of God, in that they can never lose their salvation. God has set borders in our lives so we will not venture into sin. There is always a time when the child of God is considering something which may be sinful and then they confront that border, knowing if they cross it, they shall be in rebellion against God. This is why God gives borders so there will be obedience in the Christian’s life plus a realized sense of peace. How many times have we crossed the border to the other side, whether we realize it or not, and then we start realizing we may be in rebellion to God? We need to listen to our “border conscience” before we stray deeply into enemy territory. If we do, we may find ourselves like the Prodigal Son.
March 17
Today’s Reading - Joshua 19-21
(Josh 21:43-45 KJV) And the LORD gave unto Israel all the land which he sware to give unto their fathers; and they possessed it, and dwelt therein. {44} And the LORD gave them rest round about, according to all that he sware unto their fathers: and there stood not a man of all their enemies before them; the LORD delivered all their enemies into their hand. {45} There failed not ought of any good thing which the LORD had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass.
In today’s reading we come across these verses in which God is telling us that His promise of a physical land to the nation of Israel has now come to pass. God had made a promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob that Israel would have a homeland and now they did. Even after forty years of trying the patience of God in the wilderness, He kept His Word to them. The condition for them to keep the homeland was for them to be obedient to the Lord. They were to obey the covenant that God made with them at Sinai. If you notice in these three verses that God is the one who is giving them the land and doing His part of the covenant. He even subdued all their enemies for them. The Scriptures tell us that all came to pass which the Lord had promised Israel. As we see, Israel move into the earthly land which God had promised them, it parallels the spiritual land which the Christian enters into. God has promised us and blessed us with all Spiritual blessings. God has withheld nothing from His children. (Gen 15:1 KJV) After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward. So many Christians are looking for rewards for doing their “reasonable service” unto the Lord. Here God says that He is the inheritance of the true Christian and our great reward. Why would anyone want to seek for any other rewards which would be absolutely inferior to what God has promised every believer. Unlike National Israel in this milieu, the believer does not have to worry about keeping any tenets of the law for salvation because every part of God’s holy Law was kept in its entirety by the Lord Jesus Christ. The covenant of Grace was also a promise made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. We know this because we saw the word “forever” included in the covenantal dialogues in Genesis. We have confidence that everything the Lord promised His children, in both this world and the next, will come to pass. As Christians we have a great inheritance and we begin receiving everything from the moment we become saved. God has withheld nothing from us. (Mat 7:11 KJV) If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
March 18
Today’s Reading - Joshua 22-24
(Josh 24:15 KJV) And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
In today’s reading we come across this verse which is probably one of the most popular verses in the Bible. We hear this verse many times at evangelistic meetings and is also used as a cudgel to firm up the commitment of a believer. Notice the three-fold admonition of Joshua in addressing this issue to the nation of Israel. First, he asks them if it seems evil to serve the Lord? The word “evil” in this verse means “bad.” In other words, do they feel that it is a bad thing to serve the Lord? Keep in mind Joshua remembers the actions and attitudes of the people over the last forty years, so he is well qualified to make this admonition. Joshua then asks the people to choose whom they will serve. He mentions the gods of their fathers. The word “fathers” here may also be understood as their “ancestors or progenitors.” The word “flood” carries with it the meaning of “river or stream.” So Joshua is referring to the ancient gods of Egypt. We saw there was an attraction to the Egyptian gods when they made the Golden Calf because Moses delayed in coming down from the mountain. Then Joshua asks them if they want to serve the present false gods of the Amorites which are dwelling in the land. Joshua then makes his famous assertion that he and his house will serve the LORD. Israel in the promised land may be likened to a person who has obtained salvation while still dwelling upon earth. The admonition is for us also. Will we serve the gods of sin that we did before we became saved? In other words, before we crossed the river of salvation we served the world and its ways, will we continue to do so? After we are saved, many temptations will arise and try to cause us to stray. This is typified by the false gods of the Amorites who were contemporary with Israel in the land. Or will we be like Joshua and determine from the beginning that we will serve the Lord with our whole heart? When you read further in Chapter 24, we see that Israel said they were going to serve the Lord. Joshua also warned them that if they forsake the Lord, then God would do them “hurt.” God would not even forgive their sins nor transgressions. Israel stated to Joshua that they would serve the Lord and obey Him. Well, as you read on in the Scriptures we know that as soon as Joshua died, almost immediately they began to fall into sin and to forsake the covenant they made with God. How marvelous for Grace, that we do not have to keep any covenants, which are humanly impossible to keep because of our sin nature. Grace is God’s eternal covenant with His people and this covenant was kept by God Himself on our behalf. Therefore we can joyfully say with Joshua that we too will serve the LORD. Contemporary temptations can be overcome through the power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in every true believer. Since all our sins have been forgiven, past, present and future, we can serve blamelessly until the consummation of the ages or our earthly life. Today, serve the LORD.
March 19
Today’s Reading - Judges 1-4
(Judg 1:28 KJV) And it came to pass, when Israel was strong, that they put the Canaanites to tribute, and did not utterly drive them out.
The Canaanites were perverted people. Their customs ranged from prostitution to human sacrifice. God had commanded Israel to destroy them to maintain purity in Israel. God wanted no influence from their false gods. Instead of driving them out, they subdued them and kept them as forced labor. The influence of spiritual seduction was reduced, but nevertheless, it remained. In a believer’s life, we still have the old nature tugging at us and instead of crucifying it, we subdue it and attempt to ignore its existence. To live a victorious Christian life, we must admit that the old nature still exists and it has the ability to help us go astray. The old nature does not rule over the new nature because the spiritual rules over the flesh. We must seek to live our lives in the power of the Holy Spirit, for only He can quench the strength of the old nature. To believe we can subdue the old nature without God’s strength is pride, and is showing how much we need the Lord’s strength to quash sinful desires in our life. Just because we are saved does not exempt us from being tempted. In fact, because our spiritual eyes are open to the temptations of the world, the temptations will be more intense. As an unbeliever, all we had to do was obey those desires but as a Christian we must invoke spiritual strength to fight them. Israel did not fight compromise and it led to their eventual captivity about 600 years later. This should be a lesson that sinful ways may not immediately consume us, but if left unchecked it will lead to God’s chastisement, and maybe permanent physical damage depending on the sin. Let us drive out the sins which so easily besets us and live in spiritual strength and obedience unto God.
March 20
Today’s Reading - Judges 5-8
(Judg 6:12 KJV) And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him, and said unto him, The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valour.
In today’s reading we come across this verse which probably shocked Gideon. The angel of the LORD had appeared to Gideon and said something interesting to him. Notice the angel said, “…Thou mighty man of valour.” I think this is significant because the angel did not say to him, that someday he would be a mighty man of valour or if he takes a certain amount of courses at the Temple and becomes a student of the Law, then he would be mighty in valour. This little insight is for those who do not feel they are strong. The angel came to Gideon and stated that he was a mighty man of valour. But if you notice the phrase before this one, the Scripture tells us why he was a mighty man of valour. It was because the LORD was with him. This gives us a little insight into the Christian walk. A baby Christian, who doesn’t know any more than John 3:16, can still use what they know and what they have, as a witness for the Lord. God puts the same spiritual strength in the new believer as He does in the believer of 30 years. Yes, but you say you are not a preacher. Was Gideon? Gideon was a wheat thresher, a common laborer. He was like Moses in one way, as you read 6:15, you will see he is making an excuse that his family was poor and that he was the least in his father’s family. That word “least“ carries with it the meaning of “small, young, or insignificant.” However, Gideon forgot one thing, God was still on the Throne. A Christian’s social status or financial standing means nothing when God is calling that person into service or to perform a service. Now Gideon, was still not convinced so he asked God for a sign and the fleece was used. God obliged Gideon and allowed it to happen. This teaches us that God is very kind and patient with us whenever we are facing a situation we don’t think we are capable of handling, even though the power of God is behind us. Well, Gideon got going and he began to attack their religion.
He pulled down the altars of Baal. He went from timid Gideon to Jerubbaal which means “let Baal contend” or “let Baal defend his cause.” I remember the first time I preached about twenty years ago. I preached to a congregation of about 100. The anticipation of preaching on that Sunday was bordering on the a nervous breakdown. I was so scared and kept wondering why I volunteered to preach and didn’t let someone else do it. If I remember correctly, I asked one of the other folks in the group if they would rather do it. I would volunteer to do the announcements. Well, Sunday arrived and the moment I dreaded had come. As I began to preach, a peace fell over me and the nervousness left. I began to feel comfortable behind the pulpit and even at home. This is how I am today, at home behind the pulpit. The anticipated terror never happened because God was in control. In fact, I was so long winded on that first time out, one of the elders in the back stood up and signaled to me to cut it short. He didn’t do it out of wrong motive but there was another service following. This is how our Christian walk must be evaluated. We go from one situation to another with the realization that God is in control from start to finish. If God has called you to do something and you are timid, fear not, “thou mighty man of valour.” For the Lord is with thee!