Wed.’s Devo - Possessing the Land

Read: Joshua 13:1-14:15; Luke 18:1-17; Psalm 85:1-13; Proverbs 13:7-8 When Joshua had become an old man, God reminded him that there was still territory far south where the Philistines and the Geshurites lived that needed to be conquered. And, there was still land in the far north that belonged to the Sidionites and the Gebalites that needed to be conquered. God said he would drive these people out himself and give this to them as a special possession. They were to include this land in the land they divided among the tribes. *** The half tribe of Manasseh, Reuben and Gad had already received their grants of land on the east side of the Jordan. They were unable to drive out the people of Geshur and Maacah. *** The Levites were not to receive their own land but would be scattered throughout the land since they would be the teachers of the law and would man and run the cities of refuge. *** The rest of the tribes received their lands by lots. Caleb reminded Joshua of the promise that Moses had given him that he would receive the land they spied out the land forty years ago. He had seen the giants from the Anak and was not afraid of them then and was not afraid of them now. Caleb was presently 85 years old and as strong as he had been then. Joshua blessed Caleb with that land, which was called Hebron. It had previously been named Kiriath-arba after one of the great giant warriors, but Caleb had changed it to Hebron which means “one who has crossed”. He had crossed over the Jordan and the Red Sea supernaturally to get to this place. The town of Hebron became one of the first cities of refuge. Hebron was also the place where the patriarchs were buried. David lived here the first 7 years of his kingship. *** At last, the land had rest from war. *** In Luke, Jesus tells a story about a widow who needed justice from her enemy. She went to a judge for justice, even though he was unjust. Because she wore him down coming to him, he gave her what she wanted which was justice. This is how we pray for justice. We keep praying until we get it. The good news is that we are not going to an unjust judge, but a very just and righteous judge. *** Then, Jesus told a story about a man who was very sure he was righteous. When he went to the Temple he compared himself to everyone around him. He stood in the temple beside a man who was very humble and repentant. When they left the Temple, the humble man left forgiven, but the proud man did not leave justified before God. *** Parents brought their children for Jesus to bless them. The disciples tried to shield Jesus from being bothered by them. Jesus stopped the disciples and told them that the Kingdom of God belonged to them also. Everyone must come to God like a child to be received and allowed in. *** Lord, we acknowledge that you are our Father and we desire your blessing and your acceptance into your Kingdom. Thank you for making a way for us through Jesus.