April 10

Deuteronomy 34:1-Joshua 2:24, Luke 13:22-14:6, Psalm 79:1-13, Proverbs 12:26

Pray: Deuteronomy tells us that there was no other prophet in Israel like Moses whom the Lord knew ‘face to face”. To be sure, the scripture earlier tells us that Moses couldn’t see God face to face or he would perish. So what does today’s text mean? Moses sought to hear from God. God wanted to communicate to Moses. You may never see a burning bush which burns but is not consumed, but this does not mean that God does not want to spend precious time with you. Two questions: 1) Do you pray as if you really believe God can hear your voice? 2) Do you listen to God during your prayers as if you truly expect to hear from Him? If you will attempt to do both it will dramatically change your prayer life.

Read: She is not only mentioned in the “Hall of Faith” in Hebrews chapter 11 but her name is intentionally placed in the genealogy of Jesus’ birth. Why is Rahab mentioned in these prominent places? In spite of how she made her living, as a prostitute, she believed in the power of God and she was a woman who was willing to risk for the people of Israel. Rahab demonstrated great faith in helping the Hebrew spies. They put their trust in her, then her life and family were spared because of her great risk. Rahab stood up to the King who had requested that she hand over the Hebrew spies. Instead, she deceived the king who wanted to kill them. Later, from Rahab’s lineage would come one of the greatest kings Israel would ever know, King David. And from David’s line would come Jesus the Christ who would save Rahab and each one of us from our eternal separation from God.

Edify: God tells Joshua six times to “be strong and courageous”. Why? Had God not already chosen Joshua to lead the people? Wasn’t God already for Joshua stepping into Moses’ shoes? God knew the human condition. A hireling knows the right thing to do but in the face of personal risk will run while a committed leader will do the right thing in spite of personal danger or risk of failure. Why? It’s the right thing to do. Joshua would stand down those who would deceive or bring harm to others. Today many people want to be “fans of Jesus” but very few are willing to be “devoted followers” who choose to do the right thing in spite of the fear of personal rejection or failure.

Practice: Luke’s account gives the reader visual imagery of the Narrow Door which leads either to eternal life or eternal separation from God. Moreover, Jesus is not threatened by Herod Antipas in the least. In fact, Jesus is well aware that His purpose is drawing close to enter into Jerusalem and to be willing to surrender to God’s redemptive purpose. Have you surrendered fully to God’s redemptive purpose through your life? God wants to do something special through your life. You are uniquely placed right now to be a light to those around you. You don’t have to leave and go to Lebanon, Syria, or Liberia to do mission work. God wants to use you right where you are right now to witness to those around you, and for you to be salt and light in your neighborhood. Who do you need to speak to today? Who do you need to lift up in prayer and truly have a heart that breaks for them as Jesus’ heart broke for Jerusalem, “Oh Jerusalem, how I would long to hold you in my arms as a mother hen would her brood but you would not…”