Devotion Thoughts - 16/04/2011

Joshua 13:1-33 and Joshua 14:1-15


God knew that if the inhabitant's of Canaan were not wiped out they would become a problem for Israel. At the end of Joshua's life much of Canaan was still unconquered because the fighting had stopped. The unconquered nations began mingling with the Israelites, influencing them away from God.


God wants us to defeat the carnal (sin prone) nature within us; if not defeated (as is the case with many believers) this nature continues to fight against the control of our lives that should be given to the Holy Spirit.


Joshua did not hesitate to give Caleb the land promised to him by Moses. As Christians, we are also to make good on promises we make.


Luke 18:1-17


After much importuning for justice, an earthly judge might give it, albeit reluctantly, if only to save himself from ongoing hassles. God, however, willingly and quickly sees to it that His chosen ones receive justice, even when it appears questionable that they have the faith to believe for it.


We must take care to not have a superior attitude towards others. A simple, childlike faith and attitude will please God.


Psalm 85:1-13


The psalmist reminds the Lord of previous occasions when He restored backslidden Israel. He pleads once again for restoration, ending on a note of optimism that God will hear, and restore them.


For backslidden believers restoration starts with the acknowledgment that they have sinned, followed by a request for God to forgive, the final stage being a firm faith in God's promise that He will restore them.


Proverbs 13:7-8


For their own purposes, many around us are deceivers.

---