The story of the Gibeonites fascinates me. These were the guys who dressed in old clothes and worn out sandals, filled cracked saddle bags with moldy bread and convinced Israel’s leaders they traveled from a distant land to sign a peace treaty.

A few days after the ceremony Joshua discovered the ruse. The Gibeonites lived one valley over and cooked up the scheme to save their skins. Who can blame them? Honoring his pledge, Joshua let them live.

When questioned about their deception they replied, your servants were clearly told how the Lord your God had commanded his servant Moses to give you the whole land and to wipe out all its inhabitants from before you. So we feared for our lives because of you, and that is why we did this.

The Gibeonites developed a fear and respect for the Lord and his people. They heard the stories and believed. Like Rahab the prostitute in Jericho, they turned toward the Lord rather than away. They took God at his word and acted accordingly.

It seems that faith doesn’t need to be lined up perfectly in order to be effective. A little faith in the right place makes all the difference. Which is hopeful for those of us who never seem to get it all right all the time.

Joshua 9 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Oziel Gómez

Jesus leaned toward Peter, warning him of severe testing headed his way. Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to me, strengthen your brethren.

I’m taken back by the fact the Jesus and Satan regularly communicated. Of course, Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness, but apparently the conversation continued. Then I remember Job, another man Satan sifted like wheat.

Jesus prayed for Simon Peter, for a return to faith after failure and a resolve to serve his fellow believers from a new, humbled position. Peter indeed returned and served and led, all the way to his martyrdom in Rome.

Jesus’s prayer for Peter during his sifting brings to mind three prayers to practice today:

First, pray for each other as we endure sifting. Pray especially for spiritual leaders and those pursuing the Lord. Satan sifted Peter, attacked Job and tempted Jesus. We live in a spiritual battle zone, where violent shaking occurs regularly.

Second, Peter suffered crucifixion, and the list of martyrs grows to this day. In many countries people face hostility simply for their faith in Jesus. Estimates vary widely, but on the low end 100 people a week are murdered throughout the world. Pray for these men, women and children to endure in the face of persecution.

Third, as Jesus restored Peter after his three denials, pray for our restoration as well. Pray for Jesus to touch even the hardest kernels of doubt and mistrust. Pray for his touch in the lives of friends and family who’ve walked away from the faith. Ask Jesus to restore as he restored Peter.

Sifting—tests of our faith—certainly arise. But thanks be to Jesus, who walks with us through such trials and waits to restore each of us when we emerge.

Luke 22 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by TUAN ANH TRAN

At a few distinct times in life we face major decisions. What career to pursue? Move away for a job or stay put? Marry or remain single? What about children? Is it time to overhaul my lifestyle in light of my health?

After a long teaching session concerning blessings for those who follow God and curses waiting for those who stiff-arm him, Moses laid out a simple choice for the children of Israel:

This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

While Moses drew this line in the sand for a people gathered around him, his challenge hangs before those who claim to follow Jesus today. Do I choose to follow the ways of the Lord or the ways of the world? Will I trust the Lord when he says blessings follow obedience, or trust myself to forge my own way?

Amazingly, God grants us this choice, and along with Moses I encourage you to now choose life.

Deuteronomy 30 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Brendan Church

My wife and I stayed in an Italian hotel recently where our room door opened with an electronic key card. I inserted the card, heard the click of the lock and pushed, but the door remained solidly closed. I walked back down to the front desk where the clerk encouraged me to put your shoulder into it when you push. Sure enough, the door yielded. Sort of thrilling to bust into your own room.

Jesus encouraged us to pray in a similar way. Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

Notice that Jesus didn’t say I’ll get exactly what I ask for, or when I might receive any answer. However, if I knock hard enough and long enough, a door opens. What’s behind the door depends on the Lord. I benefit from the knocking itself, then from what I find when the door yields. I can rest in the fact God prepared his answer specifically for me.

Too often I overlook one more amazing gift of prayer. Jesus again said, If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!

If I only ask my Father in heaven, he will grant the power and indwelling of the Holy Spirit. In these insights from Jesus, the Spirit is the best and most important gift I can call for. What’s behind that door? A life infused and directed by the Spirit of God, working from the inside.

Now that’s a door to put your shoulder into.

Luke 11 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Muath Alsaeed