Welcome to the “But first, Bible” daily devotional podcast with Dave Miers.
Our readings for today are Joshua 1-3 and Luke 1:57-80.
Welcome to those who are new to this podcast today! Maybe someone encouraged you to have a listen or maybe you’ve seen it pop up in your news feed for a while and thought you would see what it was all about.
What’s it all about? My hope with this podcast is that you will develop a habit of regular bible reading… not because you need a certain quota of daily bible readings to be accepted by God… the reason you can be accepted by God is because Jesus lived the perfect life, Jesus died your death, and Jesus rose again and offers new life to all who trust in him. As those who have found life in Jesus – we have the privilege to hear God speak to us through his word.
“But first, Bible.” is about prioritising time in God’s word.
And so each day you are encouraged to read a passage from the Old Testament and a passage from the New Testament, and then listen to this podcast where I will give some reflections on one of the passages. To access the whole reading plan go to butfirstbible.com
So today, we begin a new book of the Bible – Joshua.
The opening paragraph is a great introduction in setting the scene for Joshua taking on the leadership of Israel after Moses’ death and all that the LORD calls him to do.
Let me read from Joshua 1:1–9
[1] After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, [2] “Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel. [3] Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses. [4] From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun shall be your territory. [5] No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. [6] Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. [7] Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. [8] This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. [9] Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (ESV)
The task that Joshua has been given is to go and enter into the Promised Land!
He is commanded, repeatedly, to be strong and courageous. This is something that the previous generation failed to be when they sent spies into the Promised Land back in the book of Numbers, they were fearful of what might happen.
But now that that generation has died out, Joshua is to take courage.
Why can Joshua lead the people with courage? Because the LORD is with him! The LORD will not leave him or forsake him.
As Joshua sets out to take the Promised Land, it’s important that he continues to hear God’s word and heed God’s word.
Being strong and courageous is not first and foremost a commandment to Christians today, it’s for Joshua at a specific time in Israel’s history.
But as we move into the New Testament, we have every reason to be strong and courageous as well. At the end of Matthew’s Gospel, after Jesus’ death and resurrection, Jesus sends his disciples out on a mission to go and make disciples of all nations, and he promises that he will be with them.
Jesus has sent his Spirit to dwell in us, and as those who trust in Christ we know that God is also with us.
Until tomorrow, keep trusting Jesus.