Thurs.’s Devo - Enter His Courts With Praise -

Read: Judges 1:1-2:9; Luke 21:29-22:13; Psalms 90:1-91:16; Proverbs 13:24-25
Judah was to go first to attack the Canaanites because “praise” is what has to go first in battling the enemy. We enter God’s courts with praise and God’s courts is where we contend at the courtroom of God with the accusations of Satan. We enter before the courtroom knowing we have the victory before God has even heard our case. We are contending with a defeated adversary. That is good to remember.
When they sent Judah first, justice was served. The king that had cut off the thumbs and big toes of 70 kings and made them eat the crumbs under his table, would now have that same punishment done against him.
It is sad to read of all the people that they failed to kill and drive out of their land. They lived among them and became thorns in their side and carried their future generations further and further from the true God. Some of the names of the cities they failed to cast out were names that meant: “she will afflict you,” “he will swallow the people,” “I shall make a lie,” “broad place,” “house of affliction,” etc.
After they had settled in their lands, the angel of the Lord came and told the Israelites that they were not suppose to make any covenants its the people but were suppose to destroy their altars. But they did all of these things. Because they disobeyed, God would no longer drive their enemies out of for them but they would remain to be thorns in their sides and their gods would be a constant temptation to them.
When he had finished speaking, the people repented and served the Lord throughout the lifespan of Joshua and the leaders who outlived him. Joshua was buried in his own land.
In Luke, Jesus was nearing the end of his time on earth. He spoke of the time in the very end of time. Jesus knew that they would face the destruction of the temple and the destruction of Jerusalem would compare to the destruction that would come in the end.
For now, they would prepare for the Passover meal which God had prepared for them.
Jesus made good use of last few more hours with them. He went every morning to the temple to teach the people.
Lord, help us to live our lives like this is the last day we will have on the earth.