October 23 | Joshua 3:1-13

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DAILY READING

Joshua 3:1-13

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REFLECTION

Big Shoes

By Beth Voltmann

The mantle of authority had been passed. Joshua, the devoted acolyte of Moses, was now in charge of leading the Israelites into the Promised Land. Try to imagine yourself in his place. Would you dread the task or trust wholly on God to help you fulfill it?

After Moses died, God commissioned Joshua as his successor. He promised never to leave him or forsake him and encouraged him to be strong and courageous. (Joshua 1:5-6)

Wow. Who would want that job? Listening for God’s voice, guiding a multitude of persistent grumblers, defending the ark of the covenant, and all while overseeing the priests and the rules of the law. Yet, Joshua had witnessed the faithfulness of the “Lord of All the Earth” and so he willingly and humbly stepped forward.

The first time I read Joshua’s story in its entirety, I was amazed. Though he was leading a new generation into an unknown place, the mission remained the same and many of the moments would seem familiar.

Waiting on the Lord:

Moses - waited for 3 days at the base of Mt. Sinai until God appeared in cloud of thunder and lightning to give instructions

Joshua - camped for 3 days near the Jordan before the ark of the covenant would be carried into the river to lead them

Obstacles:

Moses – Faced the Red Sea with an enemy behind  

Joshua – Faced the Jordan River at flood stage with an enemy ahead

Declaring God’s Faithfulness to the People:

Moses – “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today.” (Exodus 14:13)

Joshua – “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you.” (Joshua 3:5)

Joshua had learned leadership under Moses’ guidance.  He recognized God’s voice and believed him to be faithful to his promises.

And the LORD said to Joshua, “Today I will begin to exalt you in the eyes of all Israel,

so they may know that I am with you as I was with Moses.” (Joshua 3:7)

These were some big shoes to fill, but I doubt that Joshua was astounded when the Lord stopped up the flowing waters of the Jordan so that the Israelites could pass through into the Promised Land. He knew this story. He trusted this God.

PRAYER

Lord, may I learn to trust you like Joshua did. Are there empty shoes that you need me to fill? Help me to lay down my own hopes and fears and to step in with full faith.

“Here am I. Send me.” (Isaiah 6:8)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

BETH VOLTMANN

After moving to Ohio in 1997 with my husband and four children, I developed a hunger for God’s Word through adult teaching and women’s Bible study at UALC. My passion is to help others understand Scripture so that they may grow in their desire for more of God and experience the new life offered to us through Christ Jesus.

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October 22 | Deuteronomy 4:5-14

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DAILY READING

Deuteronomy 4:5-14

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REFLECTION

Living Alert

by Pam Mann

“Be careful! Watch out!”

When you hear those words, you suck in your breath. You look quickly around for something dangerous. Your adrenaline surges. Your heart thumps faster. What’s the emergency in verse 9 that inspires Moses to sound an alarm? Moses is calling you to keep fresh the watershed faith events of your life. To his people, he says: Remember how God gave the Law at Horeb with fire, black clouds, and a mighty voice. What? Who could forget an experience like that?

Amazingly, though, people do forget or, at least, they let memories fade of events that were once life-changing. God’s law has the potential to be so impactful for the Israelites that adherence to it will make them unlike any other nation. Obeying God’s law will make them “a wise and understanding people.” Also, Moses mentions that no other nation has a living God who is near when they pray.

As his death approaches, Moses wants future generations settling in a new land to remember the watershed event at Mount Sinai. Teaching God’s law to the next generation is part of keeping that covenant alive with our living God.

How does this careful watchfulness work for us today? At each day’s end, as we are tucking ourselves into bed, we will reflect on the day and know the many ways in which we have failed to keep God’s Law. Maybe that’s why Moses reminds us in verse 7 that “the Lord our God is near us whenever we pray to him.” We need a Savior to cover our sin and make us right with God.

In fact, we are easily distracted from being careful about holding forth God’s Word. We don’t consistently watch out that we teach the next generation.

How do slackers, such as we are, practice this community vigilance that Moses is extoling? In our own strength, we don’t. It just won’t happen.

Good thing we’re not on our own.

Good thing that “the Lord our God is near us whenever we pray to him.”

Good thing that the ever-present Spirit of God is our game changer.

The Lord our God Himself is near us throughout our day to alert us to each teachable moment. Expect no squawking alarms, no flashing lights, probably not even a rise in your blood pressure. Instead, God uses a scripture brought to your mind, a nudge to speak the truth in love, or an urge to offer intercessory prayer.

PRAYER

Thank you, Lord, for your nearness when we pray. Let us fully meditate on your Word so we are ready for any teachable-moment alert. Make our families, our small groups, and our ministry teams hubs of reverence in your presence. Be our game changer.

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October 21 | Numbers 3:5-15

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DAILY READING

Numbers 3:5-15

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REFLECTION

A New Priesthood

by Pr. Dave Mann

In Numbers 3, God establishes the Levitical corps as all the descendants of Levi, one of the twelve sons of Israel.  He also establishes the Aaronic priesthood as a subset of the descendants of Levi, i.e., the descendants of Aaron.  The priests were the only ones to enter the holy place of the Tabernacle to offer sacrifices to the Lord.  The Levites were to care for the Tabernacle and the surrounding courtyard.  They were to represent all the people of God to the Lord.

However, this was not to be a permanent restriction on the people, but rather a type of humanity, or a model, to which all believers would be incorporated in the future because of the cleansing power of the cross of Jesus Christ.  All believers could become intercessors in prayer.  All believers could draw near to seek God.

Peter writes in his first epistle (1 Peter 2:5), "You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." And he writes again (1 Peter 2:9), But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, "God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."

The Apostle John, writing on the isle of Patmos in his later years, writes three times in Revelation:

(1:6) "[Jesus Christ] has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen."

(5:10) "You have made them [everyone in the Book of Life] to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth."

(20:6)  "Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years."

Isn’t it wonderful to know that through faith in Jesus, we can have direct access to the Lord in prayer.  Jesus himself is the chief high priest, and through his blood, we are ushered in as priests of his new order.  Hebrews 10:19-22 states: "Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water."

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, you are the great high priest and that which was originally established only for the descendants of Levi and Aaron is now made available to all who place their trust in your shed blood.  I will forever be grateful for your work and the access you have won on the Cross.  Amen!