Category: Daily Prayer

Our scripture today is Joshua 23:6 (ESV).

Therefore, be very strong to keep and to do all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, turning aside from it neither to the right hand nor to the left

Joshua has reached the end of his mission and as he goes to be with God, he reminds Israel to be faithful. They have accomplished much, but not all that God had for them. Joshua says not to turn to the right nor to the left, which sounds similar to Jesus teaching us about the narrow gate: “For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few” (Matthew 7:14). There have been missteps and backsliding along the way, but the God of Hope is still with us, willing to receive us when we come in honest repentance.

Loving Lord, we are sorry for the times we turn aside from Your will for us. Forgive us and send us to tell the world of Your amazing love. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Joshua 8:34 (ESV).

And afterward he read all the words of the law, the blessing and the curse, according to all that is written in the Book of the Law.

The Lord knows we can be a forgetful people. He reminded us a number of times to keep His commandments in order to be in connection with Him. In Deuteronomy 11:31-32 we read “For you are to cross over the Jordan to go in to take possession of the land that the Lord your God is giving you. And when you possess it and live in it, you shall be careful to do all the statutes and the rules that I am setting before you today.” Later we hear “now Moses and the elders of Israel commanded the people, saying, ‘Keep the whole commandment that I command you today’” (Deuteronomy 27:1). Today’s verse records the people obeying that instruction as they take possession of the Promised Land. On one hand, it is sad that we need constant reminding of God’s love and His law, but on the other, it is a joy to recall the loving guidance we have been given.

Gracious God, You give us free will to choose, but also instruction to keep us from harm. Forgive us when we fail, and bless us to share Your love and care with all Your children. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Joshua 6:20 (ESV).

So the people shouted, and the trumpets were blown. As soon as the people heard the sound of the trumpet, the people shouted a great shout, and the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they captured the city.

“And the walls come tumbling down!” The story of the Battle of Jericho is a spiritual lesson in trusting God. He had been providing for them all the way to the Promised Land, but now He tells them to simply march around this fortified city until He gives the word. We know the rest of the story – they obeyed God and when the trumpets blew and they shouted as they had been instructed, the walls of the city crashed into ruin. God is showing everyone who He is and that all things are under His command. When we are in loving connection with Him, we can be part of His wonderful work.

Heavenly Father, we want to trust in You as the children of the Exodus did, that You are there for us in every situation. Bless us to be faithful deliverers of Your word to the world. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Joshua 5:12 (ESV).

And the manna ceased the day after they ate of the produce of the land. And there was no longer manna for the people of Israel, but they ate of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year.

The people have arrived and are settling into the land God has given them. Throughout their journey God provided them manna to sustain them, but now they have the capability to provide for themselves, with His help. We may find good ground and plant good seed but only He sends rain and sun for the fields to grow. God wants us to work with Him in creation. We are now partners with the Lord, tending the gifts we have been given.

Gracious God, You have blessed us with Your love and care, even when we were disobedient. Forgive our failures and strengthen us in faith to share the Good News with the world. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Joshua 3:17 (ESV).

Now the priests bearing the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firmly on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan, and all Israel was passing over on dry ground until all the nation finished passing over the Jordan.

The event in this passage reminds the Israelites of how God brought them safely out of Egypt through the Red Sea. The parting of the waters of the Jordan River as they enter the Promised Land is a sign that even through all their failures, God is still with them. It also teaches that with His help and guidance, we are able to do amazing things. Stepping into the flood waters of the Jordan must have been both frightening and thrilling, but God calls us to trust in His power and love to sustain us.

Loving Lord, we are humbled that You invite us to be part of what You are doing in creation. Bless us to tell the world of Your love and care for us all. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Joshua 2:8-9 (ESV).

Before the men lay down, she came up to them on the roof and said to the men, “I know that the Lord has given you the land, and that the fear of you has fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land melt away before you.”

As the new leader, Joshua send spies into the land to do reconnaissance. They take refuge in a house and the woman Rahab who shelters them displays faith in the God of Israel. Later, Rahab will be the great great grandmother of King David! Her name then appears in Matthew 1 as part of the genealogy of Jesus. When we come to Him in sincere repentance, He is eager to forgive us. God doesn’t care who we are or where we have been, He waits to welcome all His children back into the family.

Gracious God, we are sorry for our willful ways. Forgive us and send us to tell the world of Your redeeming mercy and love. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Joshua 1:9 (ESV).

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

The people have heard God’s call to be strong and courageous twice before, in Deuteronomy 1:21 and 31:8. This isn’t just a pep talk, the Lord promises His presence with them as they go. He was with the people as they went to the land He gave them. He was with us as Jesus who came to save us. He is with us continually through the gift of the Holy Spirit to guard and guide us. There is no more certain guarantee of God’s love for us than Him being with us.

Loving Lord, we are amazed that You are willing to be with us, even in our disobedience. Forgive us, fill us with Your Spirit and send us to share Your love everywhere. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Deuteronomy 34:5-6 (ESV).

So Moses the servant of the Lord died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the Lord, and he buried him in the valley in the land of Moab opposite Beth-peor; but no one knows the place of his burial to this day.

The story of Moses and the people’s journey to the Promised Land is one of the longest narratives in all of scripture. It is part of our faith as Christians in that we too have a heritage from this story. While God can do anything, He chooses to work with us, using human interaction to accomplish His will. Perhaps our world and our societies have changed, but we are not so different as people than those who wandered in the desert with Moses. God still wants a relationship with each one of us individually and with all His children collectively. We look to Jesus as our Savior and example and go to share His love everywhere.

Gracious God, You have sent Your Son to love and save us. May we be energetic in our faith sharing, bringing Your love and Your word to the world. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Deuteronomy 10:12 (ESV).

And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.

Moses continues his recap of the lessons the Israelites have learned during their time in the desert. Does this verse sound familiar? In Micah 6:8 we read “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” The prophet Micah centuries later channels this instruction from Moses for the people he is desperately trying to reach. If we get our walk with the Lord in order, we find that many things that troubled us before are no longer such an issue.

Gracious God, You have given us everything as a gift to use in Your name for the good of all Your children. Bless us to walk with You and the world in peace. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Deuteronomy 8:11 (ESV).

Take care lest you forget the Lord your God by not keeping his commandments and his rules and his statutes, which I command you today

Moses warns the people about letting their relationship with God fade when things are good. They praised God as He led them from slavery, but soon grumbled against Him in the wilderness. Years ago I worked at a hospital and the jail, both places people want to avoid. I saw folks find God there and sadly, often leave Him there when they were released. This is the behavior we are cautioned against in this passage. God is with us and for us no matter what our circumstances. We need Him always!

Loving Lord, thank You for the blessing of Your presence, given to guard and guide us. Send us to share the joy of Your love with all Your children. Amen.