Fri.’s Devo - Preparing to Enter into the Land

Read: Deuteronomy 34:1-Joshua 2:24; Luke 13:22-14:6; Psalm 79:1-13; Proverbs 12:26 God took Moses on top of Mount Nebo in the land of Moab and showed him all of the land he had promised them. Moses died on that mountain and the people mourned for 30 days. Moses was the only prophet who God spoke face to face with and was shown such miraculous signs and wonders. *** It was now time to enter the land. God told Joshua that every place the sole of their foot tread on was a gift to them. God promised to be with Joshua like he had been with Moses and not to leave them. God commanded Joshua to be courageous and stay on the path. God would give them success as long as they followed his laws and obeyed him. *** Joshua told the people to get prepared because in three days, they would enter into their land. The warriors from Reuben, Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh would go with them. *** The people swore their allegiance to Joshua and prepared. Secretly, Joshua sent two spies to spy out the land, particularly Jericho. In Jericho, they met a prostitute named Rahab and stayed at her house that night. The king sent men to her house to ask her to turn the men over to them but, she lied and told them the men had already left. If they hurried, they could catch them before they left the city gates. She had hidden the two spies on the roof of her house which was built into the wall of the city. *** She told the men that she knew the Lord had given them the whole land and all the people were afraid of them. They had heard what they did to the kings of Og and Sihon. Then she begged for the life of her and her family. The spies promised that if she kept the red rope hanging from her window to indicate which house she was in, they would not kill anyone inside her house. She agreed, and the men escaped and hid out in the mountains for three days. *** We just read how Rahab’s family would be the only people saved out of the whole city of Jericho and now in Luke, a person asked Jesus if only a few will be saved. Jesus explained that the way to salvation is very narrow, but all who want to lay down their lives and live for him will be allowed to enter in. Many will be disappointed when they find that their evil deeds will keep them from entering. God doesn’t judge like we do; he sees the heart and the intent of the heart. *** Jesus was warned by the Pharisees, of all people, that Herod wanted to kill him. Jesus explained that Herod had no power to kill him. He was safe till he got to Jerusalem where all the prophets were killed. He told Jerusalem that she would not see him again until they were ready to repent and confess him as Lord. *** Jesus healed a man on the Sabbath and this upset the lawyers and the Pharisees. He asked them how many of them refused to help his donkey if it needed help on the Sabbath. They refused to answer him. *** Lord, may we enter into your gates of salvation with humility and praise. Thank you for your power to save us. Thank you for giving us hearts to respond to your kindness and grace.