The Lord told Joshua to be strong and courageous and then He told him how.
Strength and courage are required today in the face of so many uncertainties. God’s ability to perform His promises is ours to expect. But, when fear and dismay take over through our senses and life experiences, we retreat into unbelief. The Lord told Joshua to meditate on His word day and night, muttering it and pondering it with His mouth. He promised Joshua that he would then be able to observe unto doing and be prosperous and have good success. (Joshua 1:1-9)
We begin 2 Corinthians along with Luke’s gospel. On Day 2, we begin Joshua. Ezekiel ramps up and Psalms continue to lift us up. Our reading together gives us one mind and one mouth to glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 15:4-7)
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GOSPELS
Luke 1 – 7
John the Baptist and Jesus’ births are recorded. At 12 years old, Jesus is in His Father’s house and His calling comes alive in His heart. Afterward, He submits Himself to His parents and learns the carpenter trade until age 30. Jesus overcame everything through His submission to the Father. Baptism, testing, and the Spirit of the Lord upon Him in power, all launch Him into ministry. Calling His disciples, miracles, and the ways of His kingdom are given.
EPISTLES
2 Corinthians 1 – 9
Paul, having addressed the divisions and sins of Corinth and given the admonishments to walk in Christ’s holiness in the first book, now brings Corinth into greater understanding into his heart, as well as into their own hearts. He shares his death sentence and God’s purpose, all the promises fulfilled in Christ, and forgiveness to the one who had offended (to keep Satan from gaining an advantage). Chapters 3 through 5 give such an amazing picture of the two covenants and of our walking by faith and not by sight. Chapters 6 and 7 continue Paul’s call to walk in Christ’s holiness. In Chapters 8 and 9, Paul’s heart as a father is to see that giving is fulfilled in cheerfulness and faith.
TORAH
Deuteronomy 34
Moses goes to Mount Nebo and is shown all the Promised Land. There he dies at 120 years old, fully alive.
HISTORY
Joshua 1 – 8
Joshua is now Israel’s leader and is given the promise and instruction on how he is to lead fearlessly. It’s the word of God meditated on day and night. Spies are sent into Jericho, crossing over the Jordan, memorial stones are placed, circumcision, and then the destruction of Jericho occurs in Chapters 2 through 6. The sin of Achan was that he kept for himself the spoils of Jericho after the Lord had declared it was all His. Defeat. Joshua is dismayed, and then the sin is dealt with. Ai falls.
POETRY
Psalm 99 – 103
“The Lord reigns; Let the peoples tremble!” (Psalm 99:4). These Psalms activate faith and praise. Psalm 103 is one of my favorites.
PROPHETS
Ezekiel 13 – 17
God’s rebuke to the prophets who envision futility rather than repentance. Idolatry will be punished. In Chapter 16, God recounts His love for Jerusalem at her birth, into marriage, and then her adultery against Him. The judgment that is coming cannot be diverted through the efforts of man but, God will plant a humble people and exalt His people again.
