Category: Bible (Page 373 of 419)

I’m fascinated every time I read about Joshua’s encounter with the commander of the Lord’s army, who happened to be an angel with bared sword and no sense of humor.

Joshua nervously asked, are you for us, or for our adversaries? Neither, the angel shot back. I wonder what ran through Joshua’s mind?

I know what runs through my mind. Shock. Didn’t the angel automatically side with Joshua and his people? Apparently not. It appears the Lord stayed above the fray. The commander took orders from the Lord, and expected Joshua to do the same.

I assume the Lord takes sides – my side, in particular.

The Lord apparently doesn’t think like me, nor does the Lord allow me to manipulate him to undergird my causes.

On the contrary, the Lord finds holiness more valuable than the side I support. His side is the side I need to line up on.

Joshua 5:13-15 in week thirteen of reading the Bible cover to cover

The Captain of the Lord’s Army Appears to Joshua (Ferdinand Bol, 1662)

Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.

Joshua 1:9

Thus the Lord encouraged Joshua at the first steps of his leadership journey.

Sometimes that’s just what I need to hear.

Week thirteen of reading the Bible cover to cover

Photo by Billy Pasco

Yeast.

A tiny seed.

The kingdom of heaven is not like blaring trumpets, wealthy nations, military prowess, or social media empires.

I read these descriptions from Jesus and I hope. I read them and I relax. I read them and a sense of peace seeps through the cracks of my soul.

God grows his kingdom imperceptibly, slowly, out of sight. God doesn’t need me or my efforts to grow his kingdom, although he graciously allows me to take part.

Today, during holy week, the kingdom grows. I can’t see where, or in what ways, but it roots and expands and swells, soon to burst forth.

Thank you, Lord.

Luke 13:18-21 in week thirteen of reading the Bible cover to cover

Photo by Joshua Lanzarini

Moses stood reviewing the work of the Lord as two paths opened before the people. One to prosperity, one to disaster. A ceremony pronouncing blessings and curses to each other underscored the gravity of their choices.

The blessings sound wonderful and familiar. Prosperity, fruitful wombs, abundant crops. The promised land.

But the curses – what a list! Stricken with wasting diseases, heat and drought, blight and mildew. Defeated in war, their carcasses eaten by wild animals. Madness, blindness and confusion of mind. Fiancees raped, children stolen. Boils covering their bodies. Driven mad by the horror before their eyes.

We know the rest of the story. The blessings came to fruition. Tragically, the curses as well.

What do I do with this list? Although the Lord pronounced them to the children of Israel, the principles apply to me as well. I pause over these words as I reflect on the power of God, and they move me to gratitude for the grace found in Jesus.

And, since I have a chance to pick my path, I choose life.

Deuteronomy 27 & 28 in week thirteen of reading the Bible cover to cover

Photo by Gwendal Cottin