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: Finding A Secure Identity

As I write these devotionals, I first look for a theme. Themes do not always arise, as the Cornerstone Reading Plans are sequential choices of an Old and New Testament and a Psalm.

Yet today, it seems to me that in each passage, we can see how the writers exemplify the people of God, Israel or David, or the Church as ones seeking their identity outside themselves. Look at Psalm 62. David finds his significance in who he trusts and how great God is to him. In the first part, Deuteronomy 18, Joshua relies not on his leadership or wisdom but seeks the living God to guide him. Looking into 1 Peter 2, we see a declaration of who we are in Christ. If our identity is within ourselves, it is only as secure as we feel today. If our identity is based on our relationship with God, it remains secure because “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).

As you read, notice too that there are behavioral responses to finding identity in God. David waits, trusts, and finds rest in God. He encourages his readers to call out and do the same with his God. Joshua gathers the people. He seeks to obey the Lord by apportioning the Promised Land as God had directed. Joshua allows God to ultimately choose by casting lots. The Apostle Peter not only tells us who we are in Christ but also how to live unto that identity that honors God. Take some time to assess how God is calling you to follow the example of the writers today who find a secure identity in God & faithfully respond to their God.

Here are some Guiding Questions as you read today:

1. Where do you read the author is finding his identity?
2. What actions stand out to you as they live out this Identity?
3. What actions, attitudes, or beliefs do you need to change to more fully identify with Jesus & live more for Him today?

- Doug Drainville, Loved by my beloved Savior Jesus.