Reading With the People of God #7 CommitmentSample

Memorization Challenge:

6 Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. 7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. 8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. 9 This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:6-9 NLT)

Reading Primer: A Petulant Psalm

In today’s reading, King David is the writer of Psalm 58. It’s a pretty sure bet the king is upset. He comes from a perspective of righteous indignation, if not outright rage, at the way some “rulers” are abusing their power and privilege. Such strong language is used to ask God to smite his enemies! Very vivid terms describe the wicked and evil earthly “gods” that rule by lies, spreading violence and “snake venom” to further their self-serving ends…born sinners. David shows us here that we can bring our anger to God in prayer…our fears and frustrations, and speak them out to our Heavenly Father, who hears everyone. I love the soft landing of Psalm 58…

Then, at last, everyone will say,

“There truly is a reward for those who live for God; surely there is a God who judges justly here on earth.” - Psalm 58:11 (NLT)

In Joshua 15 today, we see God has laid out, very specifically, the borders of the land he has set aside for the tribe of Judah, which includes modern Jerusalem. The text reveals the Jews's inability to oust the Jebusites (Canaanite people of Jerusalem), which reflects the shared jurisdiction of the City of David today.

Some of the greatest practical wisdom and insight into the human condition is spelled out today in James chapter 4. I believe all of us have experienced the frustration of wrong motives and materialism described in this chapter, which results in enmity, jealousy, and sin. But James does not leave us without hope. He describes a humble heart and gratitude for the grace of God as the preferred perspective in God's perfect will.

- Matt Harry, Ministering Elder