Joshua and the tribal leaders allocated regions for the tribes of Israel to live in. These were promised as an “Eternal Inheritance” for the members of each group, except for the Levites who were given daily portions of the food offerings to sustain them.

Jesus told His believers, “I go to prepare a(n eternal) place for you. In My Father’s House are many dwellings … placements … positions in eternity.” [Jn. 14:2]

Regardless of what we live in here and now, we have a promise from God that we will be set up well for eternity.  Why worry?

PRAYER: Lord, Your plan and Your provision are beyond our comprehension. We fully put our trust in You for our lives in Heaven. You do all things well.

READ: Joshua 13-15

Joshua and the Israelites conquered 31 kings in the Promised Land. They put to the sword all the subjects of these kings and their domains, as had the Lord ordered.

It’s gruesome to even think of all this carnage. However, when we consider that any survivors could potentially come back and erode the culture and well-being of God’s people, it makes more sense.

It’s that way with sin in our lives. If we don’t “murder” it, it takes a life of its own and continually tries to kill the life of God within us.

“Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” [Rom. 6:11

PRAYER: Lord, put Your finger upon all the sin in our life that needs to go.  We want to live wholly unto You. 

READ: Joshua 10-12

God instructed Joshua to have no fear. As long as Joshua and God’s people lived in obedience to His commands, they had nothing and no one to fear. The land was God’s conquest, not that of the people.

If we move in obedience to God’s ways and commands, we too can take this confident position. Why? Because we go to war at the command and expense of our King.

Our battle is not with flesh and blood, but with spiritual wickedness. Victory over sin is the greatest conquest!

PRAYER: Father, into Your hands we commit our lives. Protect us from all evil. Empower us to live obedient and bold lives that bring Your Kingdom to every phase of our existence.

READ: Joshua 7-9

Jericho was an inhabited city whose conquest God had already designated. Although the Israelites were required to follow a prescribed plan of execution … marching around the city 7 times … they were assured of victory as God had already ordained it. Rahab, the harlet, and her family were the only survivors of the rout.

We don’t turn our guns on targets not approved of God. Your neighbor isn’t your enemy. Rather, life-destroying habits and addictions are what we really need to go after.

Everything that won’t bow to Jesus must go.

PRAYER: Father, You always cause us to triumph through Christ Jesus. Lead on, O King eternal.

READ: Joshua 4-6

As the Children of Israel, under Joshua’s command, commenced to enter the land God had promised, they discovered that their reputation preceded them. God had sent a fear into the hearts of the lands inhabitants already. It was not the conquest of the Israelites … it was actually God’s conquest.

It’s the same today. All we have in Christ has already been won. The Lord has fought the battle and the victory is ours.

Through faith and grace, all of God’s promises are ours. Enter in.

PRAYER: Lord, You are the Mighty Warrior. You are the One Who has gotten us the victory. We live our lives in gratitude and praise for all that You have done.

READ: Joshua 1-3

Moses laid his hands upon Joshua to transfer the authority to become the new leader of  God’s people. Not a letter, nor an email … it was a physical laying on of hands that imparted the necessary elements of spiritual power that would equip Joshua for the challenges to come.

Paul understood this principle when he stated, “For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;”  [Rom. 1:11]

Lay hands upon your children when you pray for them. Get them used to it.

PRAYER: Lord, all spiritual authority comes from you. We are your servants, and we give out through prayer and laying on of hands the spiritual gifts You have imparted.

READ: Deut. 33, 34

Moses uttered his final message to Israel in a song. It summarized his instructions on fully embracing God’s laws and ways. His warning; don’t reject God’s perfect ways by investing your earthly lives in the pursuit of pleasing your lustful flesh.

As New Testament Christians, we can receive the warning that the result of a life of carnal pursuit will only end in pain and sorrow. God isn’t willing that any perish, but that we would come to our senses and make right paths for our feet. We will receive the rewards for doing so.

PRAYER: Father, forgive us for going our own way, seeking to please only ourselves. We choose Your way. Lead us into truth through the cleansing blood and power of Christ Jesus.

READ: Deut. 32

The children of the Israelites that passed through the wilderness observed firsthand the results of obedience and disobedience. It was only the children that inherited the new land … those who grumbled and sinned on the trip were kept out of the Land of Promise.

Our desire is that our children can walk in the goodness of God. Our lives teach them how to live and how NOT to live.

A secure, loving, Christian home-life is one of the greatest gifts we can give them.

PRAYER: Father, fill our homes with Your grace and blessing. We want our children to know You and Your ways.

READ: Deut. 29-31

There are natural consequences that effect our lives, whether we live wisely or ignorantly. For instance, pouring water on a plant will help it grow, and pouring gasoline on it will kill it.

God promises blessings if we will observe His laws and His way of living. Let’s face it, we all fall short of God’s glory and His choicest blessings, but we have a Savior who took the curse of sin upon Himself. We don’t deserve it, but God provides a life of blessing for those who love Him and accept Christ’s atoning blood.

What a deal!

PRAYER: Lord, we bow in humble gratitude for the way You’ve blessed us and taken away the curse over us. Through faith and grace, we live every day under skies of blessing and favor.

READ: Deut. 27, 28