Old Testament reading: Joshua 13-14
Joshua continues to provide details concerning the conquest of Canaan. In these and other passages, the sheer volume and exceptional detail show the integrity and inspiration of the text. As we concluded yesterday, the Bible is God’s book! It begs to be examined and scrutinized! Put it to the test! Two notes of interest in this reading. First is the death of Balaam in 13:22. Here was a man who had actually spoken with the Lord, seen his power, preached his word, and yet is found among the enemies of God’s people. Balaam’s treachery and demise illustrate Numbers 32:23, “Be sure your sin will find you out.” Second is the record of Israel failing to drive out the inhabitants as commanded by God. The longsuffering of God simply astonishes those who stop a moment to consider it! But be warned! Many times we are no better than they. God has blessed us so far above most in the world, and yet we find every excuse under heaven not to render faithful obedience to him on a daily basis.
New Testament reading: 1 Peter
Peter’s first epistle is written to a persecuted people who are about to see even more difficult days. This book is summed in chapter 1 verses 6-9: “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith — the salvation of your souls.” We are living in increasingly treacherous days, particularly in Western Europe and the United States. Persecution by Islamists is second only to that incited by the secular media. We have lived without persecution for many years, but we must never consider ourselves as being above or immune from it. These words from Peter may become more precious to us than we ever imagined. Such should encourage us to endure under every strain or persecution, looking to receive the end of our own faith, the salvation of our souls.
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