Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | December 31, 2023

“Do not fear or be dismayed.” – “The LORD is compassionate and gracious, … He will not always strive with us”

Today’s devotion comes from Joshua 8:1-9.

“Now the LORD said to Joshua, “Do not fear or be dismayed.  Take all the people of war with you and arise, go up to Ai;  see, I have given into your hand the king of Ai, his people, his city, and his land.  You shall do to Ai and its king just as you did to Jericho and its king;  you shall take only its spoil and its cattle as plunder for yourselves.  Set an ambush for the city behind it.”

So Joshua rose with all the people of war to go up to Ai;  and Joshua chose 30,000 men, valiant warriors, and sent them out at night.  He commanded them, saying, “See, you are going to ambush the city from behind it.  Do not go very far from the city, but all of you be ready.  Then I and all the people who are with me will approach the city.  And when they come out to meet us as at the first, we will flee before them.  They will come out after us until we have drawn them away from the city, for they will say, ‘They are fleeing before us as at the first.’  So we will flee before them.  And you shall rise from your ambush and take possession of the city, for the LORD your God will deliver it into your hand.  Then it will be when you have seized the city, that you shall set the city on fire.  You shall do it according to the word of the LORD.  See, I have commanded you.”  So Joshua sent them away, and they went to the place of ambush and remained between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of Ai;  but Joshua spent that night among the people.”  Joshua 8:1-9.

—————— 

“8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious,
Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness.
9 He will not always strive with us,
Nor will He keep His anger forever.” Psalm 103:8-9.  

“2 You forgave the iniquity of Your people;
You covered all their sin. Selah.
3 You withdrew all Your fury;
You turned away from Your burning anger.” Psalm 85:2-3.

“Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him,
That glory may dwell in our land.” Psalm 85:9.

God did not keep His anger forever against Israel in today’s Scripture.  God was compassionate and gracious to Israel in today’s Scripture.

We remember the anger of the LORD against Israel in the prior chapter.  “But the sons of Israel acted unfaithfully in regard to the things under the ban, for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, from the tribe of Judah, took some of the things under the ban, therefore the anger of the LORD burned against the sons of Israel.”  Joshua 7:1.

We remember the punishment of the LORD.  “The men of Ai struck down about thirty-six of their men, and pursued them from the gate as far as Shebarim and struck them down on the descent, so the hearts of the people melted and became as water.”  Joshua 7:5.

The LORD could have at least let Israel lick its wounds and be miserable for a little longer.  

The LORD could have at least let Israel look around and fear its enemies for a little longer. 

Even if the LORD wanted to lead Israel over their enemies again, the LORD could have at least next led Israel to victory over one of its other enemies.

But no.  So very quickly, the LORD comforted Israel and gave Israel peace and guided Israel to fight Ai again.  So very quickly, God gave victory to Israel over Ai.  “Now the LORD said to Joshua, “Do not fear or be dismayed.  Take all the people of war with you and arise, go up to Ai;  see, I have given into your hand the king of Ai, his people, his city, and his land.”  Verse 1.

And, the LORD even used a strategy gained from Israel’s defeat at Ai to give Israel victory in order to set up an ambush:  “… for they will say, ‘They are fleeing before us as at the first.’  So we will flee before them.”  Verse 6.

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”  Romans 8:28.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | December 29, 2023

“the LORD turned from the fierceness of His anger.” – “Christ died for us. … we shall be saved from the wrath of God”

Today’s devotion comes from Joshua 7:16-26.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joshua%207&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.

“Then Joshua said to Achan, “My son, I implore you, give glory to the LORD, the God of Israel, and give praise to Him;  and tell me now what you have done.  Do not hide it from me.”  So Achan answered Joshua and said, “Truly, I have sinned against the LORD, the God of Israel, and this is what I did:  when I saw among the spoil a beautiful mantle from Shinar and two hundred shekels of silver and a bar of gold fifty shekels in weight, then I coveted them and took them;  and behold, they are concealed in the earth inside my tent with the silver underneath it.”

So Joshua sent messengers, and they ran to the tent;  and behold, it was concealed in his tent with the silver underneath it.  They took them from inside the tent and brought them to Joshua and to all the sons of Israel, and they poured them out before the LORD.  Then Joshua and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, the silver, the mantle, the bar of gold, his sons, his daughters, his oxen, his donkeys, his sheep, his tent and all that belonged to him;  and they brought them up to the valley of Achor.  Joshua said, “Why have you troubled us?  The LORD will trouble you this day.”  And all Israel stoned them with stones;  and they burned them with fire after they had stoned them with stones.  They raised over him a great heap of stones that stands to this day, and the LORD turned from the fierceness of His anger.  Therefore the name of that place has been called the valley of Achor to this day.”  Joshua 7:19-26.

———————  

“God is a righteous judge,
And a God who has indignation every day.” Psalm 7:11.

“12 If a man does not repent, He will sharpen His sword;
He has bent His bow and made it ready.
13 He has also prepared for Himself deadly weapons;
He makes His arrows fiery shafts.” Psalm 7:12-13.  

But, there is hope!

“… the LORD turned from the fierceness of His anger.  …”  Verse 26.  

“For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.  For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die.  But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.”  Romans 5:6-9.  

“For by one offering He (Christ) has perfected for all time those who are sanctified. And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us; for after saying, 

“THIS IS THE COVENANT THAT I WILL MAKE WITH THEM
AFTER THOSE DAYS, SAYS THE LORD:
I WILL PUT MY LAWS UPON THEIR HEART,
AND ON THEIR MIND I WILL WRITE THEM,”

He then says,

“AND THEIR SINS AND THEIR LAWLESS DEEDS
I WILL REMEMBER NO MORE.” Hebrews 10:14-17.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | December 28, 2023

“A little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough.” – “REMOVE THE WICKED MAN FROM AMONG YOURSELVES.”

Today’s devotion comes from Joshua 7:1-15.

“But the sons of Israel acted unfaithfully in regard to the things under the ban, for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, from the tribe of Judah, took some of the things under the ban, therefore the anger of the LORD burned against the sons of Israel.

Now Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is near Beth-aven, east of Bethel, and said to them, “Go up and spy out the land.”  So the men went up and spied out Ai.  They returned to Joshua and said to him, “Do not let all the people go up;  only about two or three thousand men need go up to Ai;  do not make all the people toil up there, for they are few.”  So about three thousand men from the people went up there, but they fled from the men of Ai.  The men of Ai struck down about thirty-six of their men, and pursued them from the gate as far as Shebarim and struck them down on the descent, so the hearts of the people melted and became as water.

Then Joshua tore his clothes and fell to the earth on his face before the ark of the LORD until the evening, both he and the elders of Israel;  and they put dust on their heads.  Joshua said, “Alas, O LORD God, why did You ever bring this people over the Jordan, only to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us?  If only we had been willing to dwell beyond the Jordan!  O LORD, what can I say since Israel has turned their back before their enemies?  For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land will hear of it, and they will surround us and cut off our name from the earth.  And what will You do for Your great name?”

So the LORD said to Joshua, “Rise up!  Why is it that you have fallen on your face?  Israel has sinned, and they have also transgressed My covenant which I commanded them.  And they have even taken some of the things under the ban and have both stolen and deceived.  Moreover, they have also put them among their own things.  Therefore the sons of Israel cannot stand before their enemies;  they turn their backs before their enemies, for they have become accursed.  I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy the things under the ban from your midst.  Rise up!  Consecrate the people and say, ‘Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, for thus the LORD, the God of Israel, has said, “There are things under the ban in your midst, O Israel.  You cannot stand before your enemies until you have removed the things under the ban from your midst.”  In the morning then you shall come near by your tribes.  And it shall be that the tribe which the LORD takes by lot shall come near by families, and the family which the LORD takes shall come near by households, and the household which the LORD takes shall come near man by man.  It shall be that the one who is taken with the things under the ban shall be burned with fire, he and all that belongs to him, because he has transgressed the covenant of the LORD, and because he has committed a disgraceful thing in Israel.’”  Joshua 7:1-15.

——————-  

Today’s Scripture leads us to meditate generally on the importance of church discipline including the specific extreme measure, if necessary, of removing those members who are hurting other members.

“You were running well;  who hindered you from obeying the truth?  This persuasion did not come from Him who calls you.  A little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough.”  Galatians 5:7-9. 

Consider the following from Belgic Confession.

Article 29:  Of the marks of the true Church, and wherein she differs from the false Church.

We believe, that we ought diligently and circumspectly to discern from the Word of God which is the true Church, since all sects which are in the world assume to themselves the name of the Church.  But we speak not here of hypocrites, who are mixed in the Church with the good, yet are not of the Church, though externally in it;  but we say that the body and communion of the true Church must be distinguished from all sects, who call themselves the Church. The marks, by which the true Church is known, are these:  if the pure doctrine of the gospel is preached therein;  if she maintains the pure administration of the sacraments as instituted by Christ;  if church discipline is exercised in punishing of sin:  in short, if all things are managed according to the pure Word of God, all things contrary thereto rejected, and Jesus Christ acknowledged as the only Head of the Church.  …

“You have become arrogant and have not mourned instead, so that the one who had done this deed would be removed from your midst.” 1 Corinthians 5:2. 

“Your boasting is not good.  Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough?  Clean out the old leaven so that you may be a new lump, just as you are in fact unleavened.  For Christ our Passover also has been sacrificed.  Therefore let us celebrate the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people;  I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you would have to go out of the world.  But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler—not even to eat with such a one.  For what have I to do with judging outsiders?  Do you not judge those who are within the church?  But those who are outside, God judges.  REMOVE THE WICKED MAN FROM AMONG YOURSELVES.”  1 Corinthians 5:6-13.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | December 27, 2023

“all that is in it (the city) belongs to the LORD; only Rahab the harlot and all who are with her in the house shall live”

Today’s devotion comes from Joshua 6:17-27.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joshua%206&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.

“The city shall be under the ban, it and all that is in it belongs to the LORD;  only Rahab the harlot and all who are with her in the house shall live, because she hid the messengers whom we sent.  But as for you, only keep yourselves from the things under the ban, so that you do not covet them and take some of the things under the ban, and make the camp of Israel accursed and bring trouble on it.  But all the silver and gold and articles of bronze and iron are holy to the LORD;  they shall go into the treasury of the LORD.”  So the people shouted, and priests blew the trumpets;  and when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, the people shouted with a great shout and the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight ahead, and they took the city.  They utterly destroyed everything in the city, both man and woman, young and old, and ox and sheep and donkey, with the edge of the sword.

Joshua said to the two men who had spied out the land, “Go into the harlot’s house and bring the woman and all she has out of there, as you have sworn to her.”  So the young men who were spies went in and brought out Rahab and her father and her mother and her brothers and all she had;  they also brought out all her relatives and placed them outside the camp of Israel.  They burned the city with fire, and all that was in it.  Only the silver and gold, and articles of bronze and iron, they put into the treasury of the house of the LORD.  However, Rahab the harlot and her father’s household and all she had, Joshua spared;  and she has lived in the midst of Israel to this day, for she hid the messengers whom Joshua sent to spy out Jericho.”  Joshua 6:17-25.  

——————

The very first verse of today’s Scripture reminds us of God’s sovereignty over everything.  “The city shall be under the ban, it and all that is in it belongs to the LORD;  …”  Verse 17.

Although our minds gravitate toward things rather than people, and the ban and the command, “so that you do not covet them and take some of the things under the ban”, God’s sovereignty extends to people, more than just things.  God only spared Rahab the harlot and her father and her mother and her brothers and all her relatives who were in the house of Rahab the harlot.  

We are shocked that everybody else in Jericho was killed and that everything in the city was utterly destroyed.  “They utterly destroyed everything in the city, both man and woman, young and old, and ox and sheep and donkey, with the edge of the sword.”  Verse 21.

“They burned the city with fire, and all that was in it.  Only the silver and gold, and articles of bronze and iron, they put into the treasury of the house of the LORD.  However, Rahab the harlot and her father’s household and all she had, Joshua spared;  …”  Verses 24-25.

Other doctrine teaches that God loves everybody, Christ died for everybody, and everybody and everything should be saved.

But, Reformed Doctrine first teaches God’s sovereignty over everything. 

“The LORD has established His throne in the heavens,
And His sovereignty rules over all.” Psalm 103:19. 

And then, Reformed Doctrine teaches that God only saves some, His elect.  

Consider the following from the Canons of Dordt in the section titled FIRST HEAD OF DOCTRINE Of Divine Predestination.

Article 7.  Election is the unchangeable purpose of God, whereby, before the foundation of the world, he hath out of mere grace, according to the sovereign good pleasure of his own will, chosen, from the whole human race, which had fallen through their own fault, from their primitive state of rectitude, into sin and destruction, a certain number of persons to redemption in Christ, whom he from eternity appointed the Mediator and Head of the elect, and the foundation of Salvation.

This elect number, though by nature neither better nor more deserving than the others, but with them involved in one common misery, God hath decreed to give to Christ, to be saved by him, and effectually to call and draw them to his communion by his Word and Spirit, to bestow upon them true faith, justification and sanctification;  and having powerfully preserved them in the fellowship of his Son, finally, to glorify them for the demonstration of his mercy, and for the praise of his glorious grace; … 

“But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.

Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat!  But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.”  2 Peter 3:10-13.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | December 26, 2023

“Trust in the LORD and do good; … Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him”

Today’s devotion comes from Joshua 6:1-16.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joshua%206&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.

“Now Jericho was tightly shut because of the sons of Israel;  no one went out and no one came in.  The LORD said to Joshua, “See, I have given Jericho into your hand, with its king and the valiant warriors.  You shall march around the city, all the men of war circling the city once.  You shall do so for six days.  Also seven priests shall carry seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark;  then on the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets.  It shall be that when they make a long blast with the ram’s horn, and when you hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout;  and the wall of the city will fall down flat, and the people will go up every man straight ahead.”  Joshua 6:1-5. 

————

We see in today’s Scripture the miracle of God.  “The LORD said to Joshua, “See, I have given Jericho into your hand, with its king and the valiant warriors.”  Verse 2.  “… and the wall of the city will fall down flat, …”  Verse 5. 

We also see the detailed means by which God would perform the miracle through the number of days and the exact number of times and formation of the circling of the city and the blasting of trumpets and the people’s shout.

Later, we also learn that faith is also one of the detailed means by which God performed His miracle.

“By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days.”  Hebrews 11:30. 

One of the lessons of today’s Scripture for us is to both singularly glorify God for His miracle and to also pay diligent attention to the means of grace that God provides us.  Sometimes, so to speak, God will perform a miracle for us quickly without requiring us to wait long and do many things.  But, other times, God will guide us to do many things and to wait a long time before He does His miracle.  

Consider the following from the Canons of Dordt in the section titled FIRST HEAD OF DOCTRINE Of Divine Predestination.

Article 16.  Those who do not yet experience a lively faith in Christ, an assured confidence of soul, peace of conscience, an earnest endeavor after filial obedience, and glorying in God through Christ, efficaciously wrought in them, and do nevertheless persist in the use of the means which God hath appointed for working these graces in us, ought not to be alarmed at the mention of reprobation, nor to rank themselves among the reprobate, but diligently to persevere in the use of means, and with ardent desires, devoutly and humbly to wait for a season of richer grace.  …

Let us “persist in the use of the means which God hath appointed for working these graces in us”.  As the concluding Scripture exhorts us, let us trust in the LORD and do good and wait patiently for Him.   

“3 Trust in the LORD and do good;
Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.
4 Delight yourself in the LORD;
And He will give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the Lord,
Trust also in Him, and He will do it.
6 He will bring forth your righteousness as the light
And your judgment as the noonday.

7 Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him;
Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,
Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes.
8 Cease from anger and forsake wrath;
Do not fret; it leads only to evildoing.
9 For evildoers will be cut off,
But those who wait for the LORD, they will inherit the land.” Psalm 37:3-9.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | December 25, 2023

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom” – “Worship the LORD with reverence And rejoice with trembling.”

Today’s devotion comes from Joshua 5:10-15.

“While the sons of Israel camped at Gilgal they observed the Passover on the evening of the fourteenth day of the month on the desert plains of Jericho.  On the day after the Passover, on that very day, they ate some of the produce of the land, unleavened cakes and parched grain.  The manna ceased on the day after they had eaten some of the produce of the land, so that the sons of Israel no longer had manna, but they ate some of the yield of the land of Canaan during that year.

Now it came about when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing opposite him with his sword drawn in his hand, and Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us or for our adversaries?”  He said, “No;  rather I indeed come now as captain of the host of the LORD.”  And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and bowed down, and said to him, “What has my lord to say to his servant?”  The captain of the LORD’S host said to Joshua, “Remove your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.”  And Joshua did so.” Joshua 5:10-15.

—————-

It is Christmas day.  Today’s Scripture does not present Scripture that one would normally choose for a Christmas message.  But, maybe it is just perfect for a Christmas message.

Too often, we approach the LORD treating Him as if He was Santa Claus.  In sharp contrast, Joshua did not presume that the LORD was at his beck-and-call like we do too often particularly at Christmas time.  Joshua humbly asked:  “Are you for us or for our adversaries?” 

“… GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.”  1 Peter 5:5.

Rather than being proud with hands stuck out waiting for a gift, Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and bowed down, and said to him, “What has my lord to say to his servant?”  

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10.

When we go to church during the Christmas season, do we rush into the sanctuary with our own agenda foremost in mind? Or, do we consider the command of the captain of the LORD’S host to Joshua, “Remove your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.”

Do we approach the LORD with humility and reverence?

“10 Now therefore, O kings, show discernment;
Take warning, O judges of the earth.
11 Worship the LORD with reverence
And rejoice with trembling.
12 Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way,
For His wrath may soon be kindled.
How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!” Psalm 2:10-12.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | December 24, 2023

“in Him you were also circumcised … in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ”

Today’s devotion comes from Joshua 5:1-9.

“Now it came about when all the kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan to the west, and all the kings of the Canaanites who were by the sea, heard how the LORD had dried up the waters of the Jordan before the sons of Israel until they had crossed, that their hearts melted, and there was no spirit in them any longer because of the sons of Israel.

At that time the LORD said to Joshua, “Make for yourself flint knives and circumcise again the sons of Israel the second time.”  So Joshua made himself flint knives and circumcised the sons of Israel at Gibeath-haaraloth.  This is the reason why Joshua circumcised them:  all the people who came out of Egypt who were males, all the men of war, died in the wilderness along the way after they came out of Egypt.  For all the people who came out were circumcised, but all the people who were born in the wilderness along the way as they came out of Egypt had not been circumcised.  For the sons of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness, until all the nation, that is, the men of war who came out of Egypt, perished because they did not listen to the voice of the LORD, to whom the LORD had sworn that He would not let them see the land which the LORD had sworn to their fathers to give us, a land flowing with milk and honey.  Their children whom He raised up in their place, Joshua circumcised;  for they were uncircumcised, because they had not circumcised them along the way.

Now when they had finished circumcising all the nation, they remained in their places in the camp until they were healed.  Then the LORD said to Joshua, “Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.”  So the name of that place is called Gilgal to this day.”  Joshua 5:1-9.

——————-

What the LORD did, “finished circumcising all the nation”, and said to Joshua, “Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.”, point us to what the LORD did for us.  Christ circumcised us by the removal of the body of the flesh, and thereby so to speak, rolled away the reproach of sin from us. 

“Moreover the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, so that you may live.”  Deuteronomy 30:6.

“For in Him (Christ) all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority;  and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ;  having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.  When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us;  and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.  When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.”  Colossians 2:9-15.

“for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh,”  Philippians 3:3. 

“As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He removed our transgressions from us.” Psalm 103:12.

“For by one offering He (Christ) has perfected for all time those who are sanctified. And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us; for after saying,

“THIS IS THE COVENANT THAT I WILL MAKE WITH THEM
AFTER THOSE DAYS, SAYS THE LORD:
I WILL PUT MY LAWS UPON THEIR HEART,
AND ON THEIR MIND I WILL WRITE THEM,”

He then says,

“AND THEIR SINS AND THEIR LAWLESS DEEDS
I WILL REMEMBER NO MORE.” Hebrews 10:14-17.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | December 22, 2023

“the hand of the LORD is mighty, so that you may fear the LORD your God forever.”

Today’s devotion comes from Joshua 4:1-7.

“Now when all the nation had finished crossing the Jordan, the LORD spoke to Joshua, saying, “Take for yourselves twelve men from the people, one man from each tribe, and command them, saying, ‘Take up for yourselves twelve stones from here out of the middle of the Jordan, from the place where the priests’ feet are standing firm, and carry them over with you and lay them down in the lodging place where you will lodge tonight.’”  So Joshua called the twelve men whom he had appointed from the sons of Israel, one man from each tribe;  and Joshua said to them, “Cross again to the ark of the LORD your God into the middle of the Jordan, and each of you take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Israel.  Let this be a sign among you, so that when your children ask later, saying, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’  then you shall say to them, ‘Because the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD;  when it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off.’  So these stones shall become a memorial to the sons of Israel forever.”

…

Now the people came up from the Jordan on the tenth of the first month and camped at Gilgal on the eastern edge of Jericho.  Those twelve stones which they had taken from the Jordan, Joshua set up at Gilgal.  He said to the sons of Israel, “When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, ‘What are these stones?’  then you shall inform your children, saying, ‘Israel crossed this Jordan on dry ground.’  For the LORD your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you had crossed, just as the LORD your God had done to the Red Sea, which He dried up before us until we had crossed;  that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the LORD is mighty, so that you may fear the LORD your God forever.”  Joshua 4:1-7 and 19-24.

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“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10.

“Then Moses and the sons of Israel sang this song to the LORD, and said,

“I will sing to the LORD, for He is highly exalted;
The horse and its rider He has hurled into the sea.
2 “The LORD is my strength and song,
And He has become my salvation;
This is my God, and I will praise Him;
My father’s God, and I will extol Him.
3 “The LORD is a warrior;
The LORD is His name.
4 “Pharaoh’s chariots and his army He has cast into the sea;
And the choicest of his officers are drowned in the Red Sea.
5 “The deeps cover them;
They went down into the depths like a stone.
6 “Your right hand, O LORD, is majestic in power,
Your right hand, O LORD, shatters the enemy.
7 “And in the greatness of Your excellence You overthrow those who rise up against You;
You send forth Your burning anger, and it consumes them as chaff.
…
16 “Terror and dread fall upon them;
By the greatness of Your arm they are motionless as stone;
Until Your people pass over, O LORD,
Until the people pass over whom You have purchased.
17 “You will bring them and plant them in the mountain of Your inheritance,
The place, O LORD, which You have made for Your dwelling,
The sanctuary, O LORD, which Your hands have established.
18 “The LORD shall reign forever and ever.” Exodus 15:1-7 and 16-18.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | December 21, 2023

“stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught”

Today’s devotion comes from Joshua 3:7-17.

“Now the LORD said to Joshua, “This day I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you.  You shall, moreover, command the priests who are carrying the ark of the covenant, saying, ‘When you come to the edge of the waters of the Jordan, you shall stand still in the Jordan.’”  Then Joshua said to the sons of Israel, “Come here, and hear the words of the LORD your God.”  Joshua said, “By this you shall know that the living God is among you, and that He will assuredly dispossess from before you the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Hivite, the Perizzite, the Girgashite, the Amorite, and the Jebusite.  Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth is crossing over ahead of you into the Jordan.  Now then, take for yourselves twelve men from the tribes of Israel, one man for each tribe.  It shall come about when the soles of the feet of the priests who carry the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, rest in the waters of the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan will be cut off, and the waters which are flowing down from above will stand in one heap.”

So when the people set out from their tents to cross the Jordan with the priests carrying the ark of the covenant before the people, and when those who carried the ark came into the Jordan, and the feet of the priests carrying the ark were dipped in the edge of the water (for the Jordan overflows all its banks all the days of harvest), the waters which were flowing down from above stood and rose up in one heap, a great distance away at Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan;  and those which were flowing down toward the sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, were completely cut off.  So the people crossed opposite Jericho.  And the priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan while all Israel crossed on dry ground, until all the nation had finished crossing the Jordan.”  Joshua 3:7-17.

——————–

Today’s Scripture focuses on Joshua and the priests.  Therefore, this devotion primarily focuses on our preachers and teachers.  But, because we all are priests, so to speak, it also applies to all of us.  See 1 Peter 2:9-10. 

Israel may have had fear and anxiety crossing the Jordan and facing a host of enemies.  Today, we may also have fear and anxiety as we face apostasy and old age, figuratively, we face crossing our own Jordan.  

2 Thessalonians chapter 2 helps us.  It is too long to quote in full, but as an introduction before the main Scripture for this devotion, I will quote only the first two verses.  “Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.”  2 Thessalonians 2:1-2.

As the priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD were commanded to stand firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan while all Israel crossed on dry ground, preachers and teachers of Reformed Doctrine (and the rest of us) are called to “stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught”.  In other words, do not fear or worry about God saving every single one of His elect.  He is sovereign Almighty God Who will accomplish all of His good purpose.  See Isaiah 46:9-11.     

“But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.  It was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.  So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us.

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word.”  2 Thessalonians 2:13-17.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | December 20, 2023

“Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you.”

Today’s devotion comes from Joshua 3:1-6.

“Then Joshua rose early in the morning; and he and all the sons of Israel set out from Shittim and came to the Jordan, and they lodged there before they crossed. At the end of three days the officers went through the midst of the camp; and they commanded the people, saying, “When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God with the Levitical priests carrying it, then you shall set out from your place and go after it. However, there shall be between you and it a distance of about 2,000 cubits by measure. Do not come near it, that you may know the way by which you shall go, for you have not passed this way before.”

Then Joshua said to the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you.” And Joshua spoke to the priests, saying, “Take up the ark of the covenant and cross over ahead of the people.” So they took up the ark of the covenant and went ahead of the people.” Joshua 3:1-6.

—————–

The ark of the covenant, which led Israel into the Promised Land, contained “tables of the covenant” (among other items) which represented Ten Commandments and more generally all of God’s Word. See, for example, Hebrews 9:4. Verses 4-5 (which are highlighted above in bold italic font) lead us to meditate on how God’s word both leads us and consecrates us.

First, let us consider some Scriptures as to how God’s word leads us. 

“Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105.

“This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.” Joshua 1:8.

“7 The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul;
The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the LORD are true; they are righteous altogether.
10 They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.
11 Moreover, by them Your servant is warned;
In keeping them there is great reward.” Psalm 19:7-11.

“You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:14-17.

“Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith.” Galatians 3:24.

Praise the LORD!

Second, let us consider some Scriptures as to how God’s word consecrates us.

“How can a young man keep his way pure?
By keeping it according to Your word.” Psalm 119:9.

“… Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.” Ephesians 5:25-27.

“You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.” John 15:3.

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