The great leader of the conquest of the Promised Land was about to “Go the way of the earth.” As he addressed God’s people, his main concern was that they follow the Lord’s commands and not begin serving the strange gods of the inhabitants of the land. He reminded them of the blessings and curses to be incurred by their behavior.

Godly parents always bear this burden … that their children will follow God’s ways and not be enticed away from their faith. They hate to see their children suffer the results of turning away from God.

PRAYER: Lord, we commit to You our children, even the ones who have families themselves. Keep them close to Yourself. If they stray, draw them back to Yourself.

READING: Josh. 21-23

Under Joshua’s leadership, the tribes of Israel were all given specific territories to live in, towns and terrain suited to the needs of the tribe. Only the Levites were exempted. They had special provision in cities near the place of their priestly service.

God made Patty and me to know, early in our ministry journey, that if we gave Him a place to live in our hearts and lives, he’d always give us a place to live. It has been true. After 47 years of marriage, God has always been faithful to give us comfortable dwellings and living circumstances.

PRAYER: Lord, thank You for Your wonderful and gracious provision to Your people. Surely, You meet all our needs according to Your riches in Glory.

READING: Josh. 17-20

Caleb was given the territory that included the Anakim, giants who were unusually large and frightening to the Israelites. Caleb was not afraid. He and Joshua were the only two spies who were positive they could conquer the new land.

These two men carried a faith that was not present in the other 10 spies sent to investigate the Promised Land.

What are the giants confronting you? Believe God for the faith of Joshua and Caleb.

PRAYER: Lord, I trust in You alone, and will not view my challenges as being too great for You to conquer. In Jesus’ name, I press on.

READING: Joshua 13-16

God gave Joshua and the Children of Israel victory over all the kingdoms existing in the Promised Land, 31 kings in all. Their success was not due to their military prowess (although they implemented clever strategy on occasion) nor their superior numbers (they were generally outnumbered), but because the Lord gave them victory over their foes.

Don’t think you can defeat the enemy all on your own. Jesus said, “Apart from Me, you can do nothing.”

PRAYER: Lord, it’s clear to me that I need Your help to defeat the enemies of my soul. In the name of Jesus, I ask for complete victory over sin and every evil trying to beset me.

READING: Josh. 9-12

Individual expression and personal taste have their place in lifestyle choices, but when it comes to God’s commands, complicit obedience is the only safe practice. Because of one man’s disobedient lust for some spoils of war, Israel lost the lives of over 30 men in the battle against the city of Ai.

The practice of instant, strict obedience to God’s commands yields a life of victory and safety.

PRAYER: Father, through the grace You provide, we want to be responsively obedient to the direction of Your Word and the leading of Your Spirit.

READING: Josh.5-8

God told the Israelites, “Wherever you place your feet, I will give it to you.” As He led them into the promised land to follow the Ark of the Covenant, He simultaneously awarded them prime real estate. Then, when the feet of the priests entered the Jordan river, the flooding waters miraculously stopped to let them cross on dry ground. They had miraculous footwork.

“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” [Is. 52:7]

PRAYER: Lord, as we take the Gospel to the earth, give us a miraculous display of Your power. Help us make straight, obedient paths for our feet.

READING: Josh. 1-4

Just before Moses was taken by the Lord in death, he pronounced a final blessing upon each of the Israelite tribes, specifically identifying unique insights God gave him about their future. In essence, he was the father of that nation.

This is what fathers do … they are empowered and authorized by God to speak blessing upon their children. With this blessing, children prosper.  Without it, they flounder.

PRAYER: Lord, give us words of life and blessing to speak over our children. Let us see Your  hand of prosperity upon them all the days of their lives.

READING: Deut. 32-34

God dangled his blessings in front of His people, promising to produce when they complied with His will. It was ridiculous of them to demand a life of entitlement. The table had been spread, the offering made, but their part was to obey His commands.

Jesus said, “If you abide in Me, and My Words abide in you, ask whatever you will (in My name) and it will be done unto you. ” [John 15:7]

Also, “He that has My commandments and keeps them, he it is that loves Me … and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”  [Jn. 14:21]

PRAYER: Father, help us realize how much You desire for us to walk in obedience to Your will, not for what we can get from You, but because You want us to live blessed lives.

READING: Deut. 29-31

Deuteronomy 27 and 28 clarify the blessings and curses incurred due to God’s peoples’ obedience or disobedience to His commands. Such detail implies His thoroughness in considering how to impress upon His children the importance of their compliance to His will.

We are mistaken if we think a sloppy, lazy approach to holy living is acceptable.

“Shall we sin to our heart’s content and see how far we can exploit the grace of God? What a ghastly thought! We, who have died to sin—how could we live in sin a moment longer?” [Rom. 6:1,2]

PRAYER: Father in Heaven, forgive us for being insensitive to how much You desire our obedience to Your commands. With Your loving grace, keep funneling our lives into ones that please You constantly.

READING: Deut. 27,28

God led His people out of Egypt and into their ultimate destination, the Promised Land. It was the destination of His choosing. He prepared it for them.

God has a destination for you. You can miss His provision by choosing your own, or living in complete disobedience to His precepts. But, if you continue in your journey of faith, honoring Him in your lifestyle, you can be assured … He will lead you to a life of fulfillment and joy.

You can’t outgive God.

PRAYER: Father in Heaven, we cry out to You today. Hear our prayer. Delver us from circumstances of doubt and lead us into Your perfect will and destination for our lives. In Jesus’ name.

READING:  Deut. 24-26