Devotional:
These are the kings east of the Jordan River who had been killed by the Israelites and whose land was taken. Their territory extended from the Arnon Gorge to Mount Hermon and included all the land east of the Jordan Valley. (Joshua 12:1)

Sometimes we just need to stop and look back. Today’s chapter takes some time to list out 31 different kings defeated by Israel in the taking of the Promised Land. While the chapters leading up to this point have explored in detail some of the battles, chapter 12 gives a flyby of these battles to reflect on how far God has brought His people. All too often we get wrapped up in what is happening to us now. It is good to look back – to reflect on the faithfulness of God in our lives, how far we’ve come, how far He’s brought us. Take some time today to reflect. Look back and thank God for His faithfulness in your journey thus far.

Pray it:
Father, I praise you for the ways that you have shown yourself faithful in my life over the years. Help me to look back and remember what you have done for me so that I can walk confidently forward in life, trusting you each step of the way. Amen.

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Devotional:
So Joshua took control of the entire land, just as the Lord had instructed Moses. He gave it to the people of Israel as their special possession, dividing the land among the tribes. So the land finally had rest from war. (Joshua 11:23)

This chapter is full of the death and destruction of the people of Canaan. These are not the kinds of stories that we read to our children at bedtime. And yet, it is ultimately a story about God’s ferocious love for His people. God had promised to be Israel’s God. He had promised them a home and a future with Him, but to achieve it, He needed to blot out all temptation and evil from their midst. God still ferociously loves His people, so much so that He sent His Son to blot out our sins. God invites you into the rest that Christ secured; devote your life to fighting any sin that keeps you from entering in.

Pray it:
Father, I thank you for being faithful to your promises that we read about in Joshua. Help me to be like Joshua and to be faithful in my obedience to your commands, fighting back and seeking to eliminate the sin that fights against my soul each day. Amen.

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Devotional:
There has never been a day like this one before or since, when the Lord answered such a prayer. Surely the Lord fought for Israel that day! (Joshua 10:14)

This story is astounding for many reasons. It almost appears that Joshua is telling God what to do, when in actuality, God is in control and Joshua is falling in line with His will. It was always God’s plan and promise that Israel would have the land of Canaan, and time and again, He fought for Israel despite their disobedience and distrust. Joshua’s trust and dependence on God resulted in amazing victories, yet the victory always belonged to the Lord. God isn’t a genie who grants our every wish. We will probably never make the sun stand still, but when we seek God’s will over our own, the Son will rest in us.

Pray it:
Father, I thank you for listening to me when I cry out to you. Renew my heart more and more so that the things I seek and desire are your will rather than my preferences. Amen.

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Devotional:
So the Israelites examined their food, but they did not consult the Lord. (Joshua 9:14)

The Israelites made an alliance with the people of Gibeon based on false pretenses, without asking what God wanted them to do. Sometimes the path we should take seems clear to us, and we don’t feel like we need guidance from God. But life isn’t always clear cut. God sees everything. He knows everything. God has a plan for us that is always for our good, but the only way to follow it is to seek Him…always! What decisions are you faced with? Are you seeking God’s will for your life or making plans on your own? Remember, God is for you and His way will always turn out for your good.

Pray it:
Father, guide me in both the big decisions and the small ones I make each day, showing me where others are deceiving me and I might be deceiving myself. Lead me not only into making the right decisions, but always back to you and seeking your will each day. Amen.

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Devotional:
Joshua then read to them all the blessings and curses Moses had written in the Book of Instruction. (Joshua 8:34)

The Israelites had just won a tremendous victory against Ai. It might have been easy to celebrate and be proud of what they had done, but Joshua chose instead to read the Law to all of Israel. The first campaign against Ai had ended disastrously because the people hadn’t followed God’s commands, so Joshua reminded the people of the God they served, and he read everything — blessings and curses. It is good to remind ourselves that blessings flow from obedience, but there are consequences for sin. All of it comes from the same God. Trust Him and stay faithful in studying what He has to say.

Pray it:
Father, help me to remember that I can’t rely upon yesterday’s obedience for today or tomorrow. Help me to pause to celebrate the blessings you place in my life with remembrance of you and continued obedience to your ways. Amen.

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Devotional:
“Get up! Command the people to purify themselves in preparation for tomorrow. For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: Hidden among you, O Israel, are things set apart for the Lord. You will never defeat your enemies until you remove these things from among you. (Joshua 7:13)

God commands obedience from His people, but often, when suffering the consequences of our mistakes, we cry out to God to make things right again. God, though, wants us to face our troubles and get to work rooting out the secret sins in our lives. Jesus died to take the punishment for our sins, but when sin causes us to stumble, God still urges us to get up and fix what we’ve broken in our lives. No matter what is bringing you down today, get up and stand in God’s strength to rid yourself of the ‘sin that so easily entangles’ (see Hebrews 12:1).

Pray it:
Father, search my heart and show me ways that I am not fully devoted to you. Help me to root out those things in my life that pull me away from you through the power of the Holy Spirit and to rejoice in the forgiveness of sins that I have because of Christ. Amen.

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Devotional:
On the second day they again marched around the town once and returned to the camp. They followed this pattern for six days. (Joshua 6:14).

It had to be confusing and somewhat unnerving to follow God’s plan to capture Jericho. It was probably the same for the people of Jericho themselves. God’s plan doesn’t always make sense to us; it can be hard to follow God’s leading day after day with seemingly no results. And yet, God’s plans are less about His methods and more about our trust. Wherever God is leading you today, have faith that the victory is already His and rest in His faithfulness.

Pray it:
Father, I know your ways often do not make sense to human minds or work according to our timelines, yet they are perfect and for my good. Help me to trust you and walk in your ways and to see your power and faithfulness at work in my life. Amen.

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Devotional:
No manna appeared on the day they first ate from the crops of the land, and it was never seen again. So from that time on the Israelites ate from the crops of Canaan. (Joshua 5:12)

God had provided manna for the people of Israel throughout their wandering in the wilderness. It was the day after the first Passover in Canaan when the manna stopped appearing. God will always provide for us, but in His care, He is leading us to growth and abundance. In order to feed others, we must learn to feed ourselves from what God supplies us. Learn to see where God is leading you and what work He has for you there.

Pray it:
Father, thank you for the way you provide for me, giving me just what I need when it is needed. Help me to remember your faithfulness and care for me in the seasons in which I feel like you are not giving me what I want and when I want it. Amen.

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Devotional:
That day the Lord made Joshua a great leader in the eyes of all the Israelites, and for the rest of his life they revered him as much as they had revered Moses. (Joshua 4:14)

The people stood in awe of Joshua after they crossed the Jordan River on dry ground, yet it was God who exalted Joshua. Both God’s exaltation and the people’s awe were a result of Joshua’s faith and trust in God. All the miraculous things that were happening were things that God was doing. Do you trust God enough to let Him lead your life? God can do great things through those who have faith in Him. Let God lead you through the good and bad and then celebrate the work He is doing in you.

Pray it:
Father, help me to not seek my own glory nor be consumed by seeking to gain the respect of others around me. Help me instead look to you for your approval and to pursue your purposes and plans for me. Amen.  

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Devotional:
Three days later the Israelite officers went through the camp, giving these instructions to the people: “When you see the Levitical priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord your God, move out from your positions and follow them. Since you have never traveled this way before, they will guide you. Stay about half a mile behind them, keeping a clear distance between you and the Ark. Make sure you don’t come any closer.” (Joshua 3:2-4)

Have you ever felt lost when you were in a new place for the first time? If so, you probably had to get directions. The Israelites in this story were in a strange new place, and God, in His mercy, continued to faithfully lead them. Yet, the Israelites were commanded to follow from a distance so they could see where they were headed. We then see God lead them straight into the Jordan River where the water dried up just as it had done at the Red Sea. Sometimes life leaves us feeling lost. Sometimes it even seems that we’re headed toward an impossible situation. Trust God. He will faithfully lead you and carry you safely through even the deepest waters.

Pray it:
Father, I thank you that you are not only with me but lead me. Help me to trust you and follow you, even when it leads to new and potentially scary situations, for I have seen your hand of faith both in the lives of your people and my life.

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Devotional:
“The Lord has given us the whole land,” they said, “for all the people in the land are terrified of us.” (Joshua 2:24)

The last time spies entered the Promised Land, only Joshua and Caleb had confidence that God would give the land to them; the other spies had seen the giant Canaanites and decided that Israel would be defeated. Now, however, the spies sent by Joshua trusted God’s promise and saw Canaanites who seemed afraid of Israel! So what changed? It seems that 40 years of testing in the wilderness had taught God’s people to trust in Him. They faced challenges in a new way when they stopped worrying about what they could accomplish and instead focused on what God could do. Our own hardships and challenges often seem more than we can handle. Let them push you into trusting in God and watch your perspective change.

Pray it:
Father, I confess that I often look at life and feel afraid or defeated because I either forget or don’t trust your power. Help me have confidence in the challenging circumstances that I face, relying on your power and promises rather than my weakness and fickleness. Amen.

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Devotional:
No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you. “Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. (Joshua 1:5-6)

The Book of Joshua begins immediately after the death of Moses. God appoints Joshua as the new leader of Israel and commands him to resume Moses’ mission of leading God’s people into the Promised Land. Joshua was probably nervous and most likely felt like he had big shoes to fill. Yet God comforted and encouraged Joshua with the promise of His presence. No matter where life takes you, or what it has taken from you, draw strength to keep going and find courage to face the unknown in God’s great promise: He is with you!

Pray it:
Father, I thank you for your promise to never leave me nor forsake me. Help me to become more aware of your presence each day in my life and to live boldly and confidently in light of that. Amen.

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Devotional:
The Lord says, “Don’t harden your hearts as Israel did at Meribah, as they did at Massah in the wilderness. (Psalm 95:8)

The Bible is filled with examples of what to do and what not to do. The Psalmist gives an example of what not to do when he references how the Israelites in the wilderness did not listen but rather hardened their hearts in rebellion at places called Meribah (which means “quarreling”) and Massah (which means “testing), as described in Exodus 17:1-7 and Numbers 20:2-13. The writer of Hebrews quotes this Psalm in Hebrews 3 to warn Christians against doing the same thing. We, too, cannot ignore God when we know He is speaking to us. May we learn from the Israelites’ mistake so we will not go astray. Did you ever have a time when you felt God was directing you but you chose to ignore Him and do your own thing?

Pray it:
Father, help me not to ignore you or test you like the Israelites. Instead, help me to praise you and enjoy the rest that is found as I trust you.

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Devotional:
I cried out, “I am slipping!” but your unfailing love, O Lord, supported me. (Psalm 94:18)

Imagine yourself on a high mountain top looking down over a cliff. All of a sudden you lose your balance. You try to catch yourself, but your foot is slipping…panic and anxiety fill your spirit because you know it’s just a matter of a short time before you fall with no hope of survival. Without fully comprehending how it could possibly be, a supporting hand appears calling your name. You reach out and find yourself pulled onto solid ground. Words cannot express your relief and joy and your new sense of life. That’s the passion the Psalmist wants to convey because God is our support in the midst of panic and anxiety when we feel that there is no hope. The question is, when you’re in that situation, do you reach out and grab His hand?

Pray it:
Father, I thank you for the way you have held me up and rescued me when I have been falling in the past. May the worries and questions that arise in life lead me to you and your hand of care. Amen.

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Devotional:
Your throne, O Lord, has stood from time immemorial. You yourself are from the everlasting past. (Psalm 93:2) 

Eternity is something our minds cannot grasp, but the very fact that we cannot grasp the concept sheds light on the magnitude of such an awesome God we serve. Try thinking about God always reigning outside of the creation of time. What comes to mind? We know that God, through Jesus, promises that we will dwell with Him for all eternity. We’ll be with the one who always reigned forever! That’s amazing!

Pray it:
Father, I praise you as the one who has always reigned, who is more powerful than the mighty waves of the sea and more reliable than the strongest foundation. Help me to remember your power and promises in the midst of the challenges of the unsteady world in which we live. Amen.

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Devotional:
It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to the Most High. It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, your faithfulness in the evening,(Psalm 92:1-2)

It is good and healthy for us to praise, thank and proclaim the love of God. Praising the Lord and proclaiming His love and faithfulness throughout the day helps us keep God as our first priority and reminds us that anything we do today is to be done to glorify God. How have you proclaimed the Lord’s love and faithfulness today? What part of your day now has a new perspective because you realize it can be done for God’s glory?

Pray it:
Father, help me to remember the work of your hands in my life and to remember to reflect upon your faithful love in the morning and your faithfulness at night. Amen.

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Devotional:
Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. (Psalm 91:1)

Everyone needs rest. In the heat of life where rest is hard to find, we find it in the Almighty’s shade. We need to choose to make, and to keep, our dwelling place close to the Most High. We do this by walking and talking with Him frequently. We are then sheltered in the Father’s love, protection, joy and strength. Do you dwell in the shelter of the Most High?

Pray it:
Father, I thank you for your promise of protection, for being my refuge and fortress. Help me live in confidence, not fear, because I know that you will protect and deliver me through Jesus. Amen.

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Devotional:
We wither beneath your anger; we are overwhelmed by your fury. You spread out our sins before you—our secret sins—and you see them all. (Psalm 90:7-8)

God knows our secret sins. There is nothing hidden from His eyes. If we go back to (Psalm 32:3-5, it highlights our two options of dealing with sin in our life: keeping silent or confessing them. “When I kept silent, my bones became brittle from my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was drained as in the summer’s heat. Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not conceal my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the guilt of my sin.”

Make the choice to confess your sins. Know that you can’t hide them from God and that He already knows them. God’s grace is waiting for you. Don’t waste away by keeping it hidden. Experience God’s freedom by bringing it to light.

Pray it:
Father, I confess that I have sinned against you in word, thought and deed, in what I have done and what I haven’t done. Forgive me of these sins and help me not to seek to hide my sins from you but rather to experience your grace as I confess them to you each day. Amen.

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Devotional:
No one can live forever; all will die. No one can escape the power of the grave. (Psalm 89:48)

Death is a reality that looms over every person. Humans fear it not just because we can’t stop it but also because it is a reminder that a judgment day awaits. We can’t save ourselves on that day – we are dead in our sin, and we deserve eternal punishment. BUT GOD…God the Father sent Jesus to die for us and take our punishment. Because Jesus rose, so we know death does not have the final word. Therefore, even in the bleakest of circumstances, we can have hope. How can we ever give thanks enough for this? Praise be to God for this indescribable gift!

Pray it:
Jesus, I thank you for experiencing the death I deserve in my place and rescuing me from its power and grip. Help me to live in light of the hope found in your death and resurrection. Amen.

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Devotional:
I have been sick and close to death since my youth. I stand helpless and desperate before your terrors. (Psalm 88:15)

You can feel the agony in the psalmist as you read his words. This Psalm can be difficult to read, but as we reflect on the global issues of today such as war, child trafficking, starvation, poverty and abuse of power, we realize that many around the world live in difficult realities in which they feel helpless. Will you weep with those whose hearts are distraught? Weep with them, and pray that God will show them that they are not ultimately without help and that they are not to be hopeless in spite of their difficult circumstances because of His presence and His promises.

Pray it:
Father, help me to neither ignore nor be overwhelmed by the difficulties I see in this world. May you empower me to weep with those who weep and cry out with and for those in need of help, looking to you for hope in any and every situation. Amen.

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Devotional:
I will count Egypt and Babylon among those who know me—also Philistia and Tyre, and even distant Ethiopia. They have all become citizens of Jerusalem! (Psalm 87:4) 

This Psalm speaks about foreign nations being “born” in Zion (Jerusalem). What does that mean? This is referring to the reality that there will be people “born again” into His people from every nation of the world. The list of these nations is interesting, though, in that it includes groups that were often the enemies of God’s people: Rahab is another name for Egypt, Babylon destroyed the kingdom of Judah, and the Philistines constantly fought with Israel. Let us remember God’s global vision for His people and that He can transform anyone, no matter how much they seem opposed to Him.

Pray it:
Father, I pray for our mission partners who are at work seeking to bring your gospel to new nations and among new people. Help me to have this same vision, knowing that the gospel is not just for me or those like me, but for those who may even seem today to be your enemy. Amen.

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Devotional:
But you, O Lord, are a God of compassion and mercy, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness. (Psalm 86:15) 

In this Psalm, we read about five amazing attributes of God that we see repeated throughout the Bible. These traits should lead us to pray in a way that reflects the acronym of ACTS. We should adore God because He is compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in faithful love and truth. Those traits also invite us to confess our sins, knowing that He will forgive us. We thank Him for the ways that we have seen these traits work themselves out in our lives, and we can then offer supplications (or requests) knowing His great love and mercy. God doesn’t just want us to know what He is like, He wants us to draw near to Him.

Pray it:
Father, I thank you and praise you for your compassion and grace, that you are slow to anger and abounding in faithful love and truth. You alone are worthy of my praise, my trust, my confidence. Amen.

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Devotional:
I listen carefully to what God the Lord is saying, for he speaks peace to his faithful people. But let them not return to their foolish ways. (Psalm 85:8) 

In our busy world full of distractions, it is easy to go an entire day without any moments of silence. When we are constantly bombarded with noise and ideas, it can be difficult for us to hear God’s voice – and then to do what He says. Take time to intentionally sit in silence today, even if it is for only five minutes. Ask God today to speak to your heart and listen for what He will say; it may be a word from Scripture, a reminder of His promise or a conviction to confess or act. When you hear from Him, take action and give Him thanks!

Pray it:
Father, help me to hear your voice in the midst of this loud world that seeks to drown it out. Help me to take your words into my heart so that I may think and act in step with your truth rather than the foolish ways that come from my flesh, the world and the evil one. Amen.

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Devotional:
How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of Heaven’s Armies. I long, yes, I faint with longing to enter the courts of the Lord. With my whole being, body and soul, I will shout joyfully to the living God. (Psalm 84:1-2)

One thing that many of us realized during the COVID-19 pandemic was how special and important the physical gathering of God’s people in worship was. While we can worship Him at all times and places and know God dwells in us, there is something special when we gather together as a community that is different from our private worship and that does not translate fully in an online experience. Let us remember the gift of gathering together, and may these gatherings remind us of our ultimate hope being gathered together in heaven.

Pray it:
Father, being in your presence is better than anything else that I can experience on this earth. Help me to overcome obstacles that get in the way of drawing near to you so that I may experience this great joy as I await the day in which I will always dwell in your presence. Amen.

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Devotional:
O God, do not be silent! Do not be deaf. Do not be quiet, O God. (Psalm 83:1)

“GOD, DO SOMETHING!” Have you ever cried out like this? Sickness has afflicted many, injustice abounds, things aren’t fair, oppression persists. What should we do when we see or experience these things ourselves? Cry out to God! Know that He hears, He knows and He will answer. Keep persevering in prayer, trusting in our loving Father who is ready and waiting to hear our cries – and one who promises to end injustice and suffering one day.

Pray it:
Father, help me not to grow cold, callous or cynical at the evils and suffering that I see in the world. Instead, help me to cry out to you in this time and to trust you as I wait for your kingdom to come in all its fullness.

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