The parents of Samson were visited by the Lord’s angel who instructed them how to live in preparation for his birth. He wasn’t raised the way other children were, and his parents were held to a higher standard.

The result was great strength and awareness of God’s moving in his life.

Raise your children with this in mind.

DAILY PRAYER: Lord, instruct us how to live. We want our children to be strong and make a difference in this world.

DAILY READING: Judges 11-13

Upon his triumphant return after routing the Midianites, the Ephraimites expressed great displeasure in having Gideon overlook using them in the recent battle. In humility, Gideon answered leaders from the tribe of Ephraim wisely by diminishing his accomplishments and praising theirs. He thereby appeased their anger with the tone and deference in his answer.

“A soft answer [gentle response] turns away wrath.” Pr. 15:1

DAILY PRAYER: Lord, the wisdom of Your Word teaches me how to live. Help me control the tone of my tongue today.

DAILY READING: Judges 8-10

This seems to have been the recurring cycle for the Israelites when they first inhabited the Promised Land. Fall away … suffer … cry out to God for help. For many people today, this is their same pattern of life, sad to say.

It’s a good thing that God forgives through His mercy and the blood of Jesus.

A daily faithfulness to read God’s Word … faithfulness to the church family … and good home Christian training of children are all factors in staying close to the Lord.

DAILY PRAYER: Lord, I place Your Word above all my failures. Keep me close to You. Lead me not into temptation. Deliver me from evil.

DAILY READING: Judges 4-6

In studying the conquest of the Promised Land, the roles of God and His people provide insight into the operation of faith. God clarified His ways and commands and Israel was to obey. They didn’t snap their fingers and see the enemies eliminated. They had to go out by faith and win the battle, although God empowered them.

We don’t say a prayer and the dishes or the car get clean automatically. We wash them using our own hands. God gave us water, health, life etc. He wants the dirt conquered.

DAILY PRAYER; Lord, thank You for the faith You give us to live and move and have our being in this lifetime. We live by the faith You have given.

DAILY READING: Judges 1-3

Joshua commended the two and a half tribes who agreed to assist the other tribes in their conquest of Canaan before returning to settle in the lands nearer Egypt that they had desired. They honored their commitment and nobly fought with their brothers until all were safely in.

The worshipper sticks to his word, even if it costs him. [Ps. 15:4b]  He follows through with his commitments and completes the mission.

DAILY PRAYER: Lord, I want to be a person of my word. Let Your grace work through me to accomplish great things.

DAILY READING:  Josh. 22-24

Parents, educators and anyone associated with law enforcement have the task of determining what is just when solving disputes. He said … she said … it takes time to sort through the evidence to arrive at an accurate picture of what actually happened. In the process of collecting the necessary facts, there is usually a point at which the picture comes into focus, and a judgement can be made.

The leaders of the Israelite “Cities of Refuge” heard the pleas of those seeking asylum to determine if any mal intent was present. God’s system took the time to seek the truth, but provided protection for those who were truly innocent.

DAILY PRAYER:  Lord, help us to determine the truth when we must make decisions to administer justice. We are grateful for both mercy and truth.

DAILY READING:  Josh. 18-21

Caleb was the other spy that brought back a positive report to Moses about the possibilities of the Promised Land. He stated that his report was according to the conviction of his heart. On several occasions, the Old Testament describes him as being one who followed the Lord WHOLEHEARTEDLY.

When we live life following the Lord wholeheartedly, our convictions will influence others to join us in the abundant life provided by devotion to Christ. It’s a life of faith. It’s a life of rewards and spiritual conquest.

DAILY PRAYER:  Lord, apart from You we can do nothing. Shape the convictions of our heart as we read Your Word daily.

DAILY READING:  Josh. 14-17

As Joshua led God’s people into the Promised Land, he commanded their army in battle against the inhabitants, 31 in all. They didn’t roll over and die before them. Each enemy required conquest to bring victory … except at Ai the first time when they did not inquire of the Lord.

God has given us mighty weapons such as prayer, fasting, His Word, His name, faith, and truth. (Eph. 6:10-18) Through prayer, God gives us His strategy to defeat our enemies. We use spiritual weapons to fight spiritual battles. (2 Cor. 10:3,4)

DAILY PRAYER: Lord, You are the Captain of the Armies of Heaven. In Your name we come against the enemies of our spiritual life. Thank You Jesus. You always cause us to triumph.

DAILY READING: Josh. 11-13

When Israel asked the Lord for instructions, He blessed them and gave their enemies into their hands. However, the Gibeonites deceived them because they had not inquired of the Lord. The Israelite leaders, including Joshua, believed a deceptive lie told to them by the inhabitants of Gibeon.

Life presents us with many choices and challenges. We are wise to prayerfully ask the Lord for His guidance on issues on consequence. He is anxious to hear our prayer and lead us in paths of righteousness. Just pray.

DAILY PRAYER:  Father in Heaven, forgive us for thinking we can make it without You. We will trust You for every decision we make today. You are good.

DAILY READING: Josh. 8-10

During the conquest of Jericho, the soldiers were strictly instructed to bring ALL the spoils to the Lord. In disobedience, Achan kept back for himself a striking Babylonish robe and some gold and silver. These items had been devoted to another god and were thereby accursed.  This act of self-indulgent disobedience caused the forces of Israel to be defeated at Ai.

Our self-indulgent rationalizations can bring the same consequence upon our families. For instance, many withhold God’s tithe and thereby incur besetting circumstances they can’t understand.

It’s a simple matter of disobedience.

DAILY PRAYER:  Lord, we want to honor You with every aspect of our lives. Grace us to be obedient to You in the smallest detail.

DAILY READING:  Josh. 4-7