Reading for today
Old Testament: Deuteronomy 34, Joshua 1, 2
New Testament: Luke 19
Thoughts from today’s reading
Joshua 2:8-12. God’s constant message to Joshua was that he be strong and courageous to lay hold of the promises that had been given. God had done His part and was encouraging the people to do their part. When the spies arrived at Jericho, they then discovered that the people of Jericho had totally lost courage and were living in fear of the Israelites, even though they were still prepared to fight.
We should not let fear come upon us as we seek to obtain what God has promised, because the thing we are afraid of is actually more afraid of us. Taking a step of boldness and courage will reveal that we have the upper hand.
Luke 19:20-26. The ten servants all got money from their master to do business. Some put the money to work and gained more, while this one man hid the money in a handkerchief.
In Jesus’ time, the handkerchief was used to cover the face of the dead when they had been embalmed and put in their tomb (John 20:7). This servant had no intention of using what he had been given and in other words was saying that the gift of the Lord was dead to him.
Whatever God has given to us is for life and breeds life, we are not meant to bury or hide it or kill it. He said no one lights a candle and puts it under a basket. What He has given is meant to be used.
Prayer
1. Hallelujah! thank you Father that you have not given me a spirit of fear but one of courage. I thank you that you are the one that fights my battles and I will stand still and see the salvation of the Lord. You did your part in bringing the Israelites out of Egypt and to the border of the promised land. You assured them that they would have what their feet tread upon. You gave them the victory when they marched round Jericho.
Thank you that I have victory through Jesus Christ and so I succeed in every battle I face in life.
2. Lord I thank you for the gifts and the calling of God which You do not change your mind about. You have given them to me to profit all men, and I will use every ability to minister life to my fellow man and to serve the Lord. I thank you that you will reward the use of the gifts you give and on that day I will hear you say, “well done good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord”.