1 Samuel 5:2 Then they carried the ark into Dagon’s temple and set it beside Dagon.
The end of 1 Samuel 4 is pretty rough. The Israelites brought in the ark of the covenant as their good luck charm, though their hearts were far away from God, and they were soundly defeated by the Philistines, who took the ark and place it beside their god. Things definitely didn’t look too good, but God….
1 Samuel 5:3 When the people of Ashdod rose early the next day, there was Dagon, fallen on his face on the ground before the ark of the LORD! They took Dagon and put him back in his place.
What powerful words “but God….” We see defeat, but God sees victory. We see ashes, but God sees the glory that is to come. We see our personal hopes, dreams, and desires, but God sees how He can use us in His kingdom work if we allow. We see loss, but God sees the rest of the story.
1 Samuel 5:4 But the following morning when they rose, there was Dagon, fallen on his face on the ground before the ark of the LORD! His head and hands had been broken off and were lying on the threshold; only his body remained.
Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the hope that can only come from You. Thank You for continuing to whisper to my heart that no matter how desperate or disappointing a situation looks, You are in control, already making a way, working things for our good and Your glory. Thank You for Your love, Your grace, and Your mercy. Draw us closer. Amen.
Hebrews 10:23 Let is hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who Promised is faithful.
Have a blessed day.
Be Bold…. (devo reflection)
Joshua 14:12a “Now give me this hill country that the LORD promised me that day….”
Commentary about this section says: “We should imitate Caleb’s boldness in asking for what God Promised him….God appreciates this kind of boldness.” And Hebrews 4:16 says: “So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God.” But when I think of myself in God’s presence, bold is not the word that comes to mind.
Joshua 14:12b “…You yourself heard them that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the LORD helping me, I will drive them out just as he said.”
I want to dismiss this passage, somehow rationalize it and therefore neutralize it by saying times were different then, God doesn’t speak quite as directly to us anymore. But even as I type the words, they feel like a cop out. Help me, Jesus.
Joshua 14:13 Then Joshua blessed Caleb son of Jephunneh and gave him Hebron as his inheritance.
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for calling me to be bold in You. I do not in any way see myself as bold, Lord, but You created me, and I trust You know what I’m capable of, so help me to be like Caleb, boldly approaching Your throne, boldly claiming Your promises for me. Your will, Lord, not my own. Draw me closer. Amen.
Joshua 14:14 So Hebron has belonged to Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite ever since, because he followed the LORD, the God of Israel, wholeheartedly.
Have a blessed day.
The condition of our hearts…. (devo reflection)
Deut 22:22 If a man is found sleeping with another man’s wife, both the man who slept with her and the woman must die….
Deuteronomy is all about rules, and I am a rule follower, but one thing I’ve noticed about rules is that it can easily become about others. If I am making sure you follow the rules, I’m concerned with your behavior and not my own.
John 8:3 The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery….
Reading Deut 22 brought to mind John 8. There is a sharp contrast here. Deut is about rules and laws, necessary, especially given the Israelites’ behavior in the wilderness. Jesus brings us grace, mercy, and compassion. He cares about rules, but He cares more about people.
John 8:4-5 ….they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do You say?”
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for Your grace, mercy, and compassion. Thank You that people are more important than strict letter of the law and that You care more about the condition of our hearts than about us policing each other’s behavior. Help us to never lose sight of what’s truly important. Draw us closer to You. Amen.
Hebrews 4:16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.
Have a blessed day.
An interesting opportunity during this pandemic…. (devo reflection)
Deut 17:1 Do not sacrifice to the LORD your God an ox or a sheep that had any defect or flaw in it, for that would be detestable to Him.
A sacrifice is not a sacrifice if it doesn’t cost you anything on a personal level. If I am cleaning out and giving things to charity, then my giving them to you instead does not constitute sacrifice. God wants our best. It’s got to cost us something to be a worthy sacrifice.
Mark 12:41-42 …Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.
I think we are afforded an interesting opportunity during this pandemic to offer to God a sacrifice of praise (Heb 13:15). Times are tough, there is no disputing that fact. So to earnestly praise God, to rejoice in Him in the midst of the chaos and confusion, that is a worthy sacrifice.
Mark 12:43 Calling His disciples to Him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.”
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for this reminder that You don’t want our excesses, You want our best, our first fruits, and You are so worthy, Lord. Help us, especially now, to offer You a sacrifice of praise. Draw us closer. Amen.
Mark 12:44 “They gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”
Have a blessed day.
A sacrifice of praise…. (devo reflection)
Numbers 28:4 “Offer one lamb in the morning and the other at twilight….”
This chapter brought to mind Hebrews 13:15: “Through Jesus, therefore, let us offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess His name.” While we do not offer sacrifices in the manner of the Old Testament, sacrifices of praise can definitely be offered. But what does that look like in today’s climate?
Numbers 28:9 “On the Sabbath day, make an offering….”
The fruit of the Spirit, according to Galatians 6:22-23, is: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. I think any time we respond with one of these traits instead of giving in to fear, selfishness, anger, bitterness, then we are offering a sacrifice of praise.
Numbers 28:11 “On the first of every month, present to the LORD a burnt offering….”
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for the reminder that we can offer a sacrifice of praise to Your holy name so easily in today’s time. Thank You that so many are so cognizant of the need to focus on You instead of giving in to despair during this uncertain time. Thank You for Your deep, fierce love for us, for Your sovereignty, for Your grace and mercy. Draw us closer with every breath. Help us to shine Your light. Amen.
Numbers 28:16 “On the fourteenth day of the first month the LORD’s Passover is to be held.”
Have a blessed day.
The biggest difference…. (devo reflection)
Numbers 14:2 All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole assembly said to them, “If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this wilderness!”
As I was reading Numbers 14 this morning, thinking once again how much I am like the Israelites at times, my sweet Savior whispered to my heart, “You are not the Israelites.” That got my attention, and I thought, “Cool. Now I know what I’ll write about today.” But trying to articulate my thoughts has been incredibly difficult.
Numbers 14:3 “Why is the LORD bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword?…Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?”
The Israelites wanted an easy road. Who wouldn’t? But I know we live in a fallen world, and that it isn’t always going to be easy. The Israelites railed against God. But I’ve gone to God before, expressing my anger at life’s unfairness. The biggest difference I can see between us is that the Israelites would have gone back to Egypt, to slavery, if given the chance, and I would NEVER walk away from my Savior. Thank You, Jesus.
Numbers 14:9 “Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will devour them. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them.”
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for this reminder that I am NOT like the Israelites in a very crucial way. Thank You that I can be honest with You about my anger and frustration, but that my trust in You is greater than anything else. Thank You for my absolute trust in You and in Your promises such as Hebrews 13:5 (…”Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you”) and Romans 8:28 (And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose). Thank You for drawing me closer. Always. Amen.
Numbers 14:12 The LORD said to Moses, “How long will these people treat Me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in Me, in spite of all the signs I have performed among them?”
Have a blessed day.
To praise You…. (devo reflection)
Leviticus 9:4 “‘…For today the LORD will appear to you.’”
Lord, This is the day that You have made. Help me to rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24) Help me to throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles and to run with perseverance the race marked out for me. (Hebrews 12:1)
Leviticus 9:23 … and the glory of the LORD appeared to all the people.
Lord, Your love is better than life. Help me never to lose sight of that fact. Let my lips glorify Your name always. (Psalm 63:3) I want to praise Your name as long as I live, to lift up Your name in praise. (Psalm 63:4) I cling to You because I know Your right hand upholds me. (Psalm 63:8)
Leviticus 9:24a Fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed the burnt offering and the fat portions on the alter…
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for this opportunity to spend time with You, to praise You. Thank You for loving me so deeply, for writing my name in the palm of Your hand (Isaiah 49:16), for making a way in my wilderness, even when I cannot yet perceive it (Isaiah 43:19). Thank You, Lord, for Your love, Your grace, Your mercy, Your hope. Draw me closer. Amen.
Leviticus 9:24b … And when all the people saw it, they shouted for joy and fell facedown.
Have a great day.
Living the claim…. (devo reflection)
Leviticus 6:2a “If anyone sins and is unfaithful to the LORD by deceiving a neighbor about something entrusted to them or left in their care or about something stolen….”
Much of Leviticus seems so foreign in that we do not observe these types of atonement offerings in our worship today. With Jesus’s death and resurrection, He finished the work of all these guilt and sin offerings. Yet as I read Leviticus 6, I am struck with by how these verses, especially Leviticus 6:2-3, describe so many today.
Leviticus 6:2b “…or if they cheat their neighbor….”
While Christ’s work on the cross has taken the place of all the sacrificial offerings of Leviticus, recognizing His sovereignty, for me, is not a “one and done” prospect. I can’t just claim Him as my Savior, I’ve got to LIVE that claim. And while that no longer involves taking sacrifices to priests, I think it does involve looking at how I live and how I treat people and how I honor my Savior and making amends and corrections when I fall short.
Leviticus 6:3a “or if they find lost property and lie about it….”
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for Your fierce love. You want us to love You and love others. You want us to shine Your light and encourage Your people. You want us to draw closer to You each day. Help us, Lord, to throw off every sin that entangles us and every weight that hinders us from that goal (Hebrews 12:1). Draw us closer. Amen.
Leviticus 6:3b “…or if they swear falsely about any such sin that people may commit….”
Have a blessed day.
Grateful for this time with You…. (devo reflection)
Exodus 19:3 Then Moses went up to God, and the LORD called him from the mountain….
Lord, I know You are here. I know You have called me to read Genesis and Exodus thus far. You meet me every morning, and You show me how Your word applies to my life. I am so thankful, so grateful for this time with You.
Exodus 19:5 “Now if you obey Me fully and keep My covenant, then out if all nations you will be My treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine….
Lord, This morning, for some reason, I’m having a difficult time hearing Your voice, seeing the parallels in Your word that have been so easy and abundant before. My default is that maybe you are done with me in Exodus, but with the revelations of the past few days, it seems odd that You would end our walk through Exodus so abruptly.
Exodus 19:12 “Put limits for the people around the mountain and tell them, ‘Be careful that you do not approach the mountain or touch the foot of it. Whoever touches the mountain will be put to death.’”
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for Your loving presence as I go through Your word. Show me what you would have me to do, where You would have me to go from here. Help me to listen and obey. Draw me closer. Always. Amen.
Heb 4:12 For the word of God is alive and active….
Have a blessed day.
Remember me…. (devo reflection)
Heb 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles….
My devotional readings this morning started me in Hebrews, but I immediately sensed a connection to Genesis. In this section of Genesis, Joseph is the epitome of perseverance. His only sin, at the tender age of 17, seems to be that of exuberance. He had dreams that foretold an amazing future, and he shared those dreams eagerly with his family, causing jealousy, leading to his being sold into slavery.
Gen 40:14 “But when all goes well with you, remember me and show me kindness; mention me to Pharaoh and get me out if this prison.”
Even in slavery, he is maligned and mistreated. Even in prison, he cares for others and tries to help, asking in return only that he be remembered. Yet even the cupbearer forgets his assistance once he is released. However, God’s not through with him yet. God has a plan for Joseph and is preparing the way, even now.
Gen 40:15 “I was forcibly carried off from the land of the Hebrews, and even here I have done nothing to deserve being put in a dungeon.”
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for this reminder that You are making a way, even when we can’t yet perceive it. Thank You for working all things for our good and Your glory. Draw us closer. Help us persevere. Amen.
Gen 40:23 The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him.
Have a blessed day.