S – The Lord has made his victory known; he has revealed his righteousness 

in the sight of the nations.

Psalms 98:2 CSB

O – “nations” – gôy,  a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (fig.) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts:— Gentile, heathen, nation, people

The New Strong’s Dictionary of Hebrew and Greek Words 

The Lord has made known his deliverance and salvation by His character and rightness in all people.

A – People need God.  Evangelism isn’t a church thing; it is the heartbeat of God to be in a relationship with all people.  If it is important to God, it should be important to us to share our faith so others can know Him too.  He has done his part by revealing himself, even when people refuse Him.  We need to do our part of allowing His love and character to flow through us.

R – Father, we love you today.  We are grateful for the relationship you have with us.  Help us to share it with others in our words and actions.  As you reveal yourself to others, we want to share our story as well.

S – That very day Herod and Pilate became friends.^, Previously, they had been enemies

Luke 23:12 CSB

O – Two very distinct leaders – Herod who led by fear and Pilate who led by pride – became friends.

A – My wife Kristin shared this principle with me a while back.  As Jesus moved closer to the cross, these two leaders joined forces physically to crucify him.  In the spiritual realm, fear and pride work together daily to destroy Christians.  Fear keeps you from doing what God tells you to do and pride pushes you to be before God.  They align perfectly to keep you distant from God, with you as the center of your life.

R – Heavenly Father, I surrender and worship you today.  I reject fear and pride in my life.  I do not want them.  I ask for your strength and courage to choose your way and not allow either to influence my thoughts, words or actions.  I want to be a reflection of your true love and character in these areas.

S – Then he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and began to pray, ⁴² “Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me—nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” 

Luke 22:41–42 CSB

O – Facing the journey of the cross, Jesus prays for God to take this burden from him. In the end, Jesus yields to the Father’s will.

A – We all have things we do not want to do but know it is what we are supposed to do.  The gravity of the cross is the ultimate “discipline” of obedience.  Jesus knew the plan and what results it would produce for mankind.  I appreciate his humanness of him to say “Is there another way.”  We can all relate to that.

R – Father, there are hard things you want us to do today.  Knowing You are with us, we want to obey with humility and courage.  Let us move with resolute strength to accomplish Your will today.

S – That whole generation was also gathered to their ancestors. After them another generation rose up who did not know the Lord or the works he had done for Israel. 

¹¹ The Israelites did what was evil in the Lord’s sight

Judges 2:10–11 CSB

O – Commentary: 

The new generation of Israelites that grew up after their faithful fathers died was distinguished by its faithlessness toward the Lord. That they knew neither the Lord nor what He had done for Israel could imply a failure of the older generation to communicate God’s acts to them (cf. Deut. 6:7). But the word “knew” probably has the sense of “acknowledge” (cf. Prov. 3:6, where “know” is trans. “acknowledge”), thus indicating unbelief rather than ignorance. They rejected both the Lord’s grace toward them and their responsibilities toward Him. This led to the idolatrous practices cited in the verses that follow.

“Judges,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – The present generation’s responsibility to teach, equip and prepare the next generation is huge.  They should make it a significant priority.  Ultimately, that responsibility shifts to the generation as they move into leadership and pursue their own goals.  With such a rich history of freedom and conquest, it is disappointing to see the new generation of Israelites move in an evil direction.

R – Heavenly Father, we come to you knowing that we are human and broken.  Our love for you keeps us moving toward you.  We recognize our human design is sinful and self-seeking.  We need your Holy Spirt to lead and direct us today.  Victory over evil starts with victory over ourselves.

S – The one who will not use the rod hates his son, but the one who loves him disciplines him diligently

Proverbs 13:24 CSB

O – Commentary: 

He who withholds his rod hates his child Proverbs emphasizes the importance of discipline, viewing it as a matter of life or death (19:18; 23:13–14). Since children are characterized by folly in Proverbs (22:15), proper training and discipline ensure they will remain on the right path throughout their lives (22:6)

Faithlife Study Bible 

A – Discipline is a foundational principle.  What was ever accomplished by random, haphazard actions?  Love drives us to work hard with our kids to ensure they have good moral and life skills.  As a parent, you must do the work – you pick what age you want to do it.  Discipline done in love yields strong, lifelong results.

R – Heavenly Father, your love for us causes you to discipline us.  Please help us embrace that discipline to grow and stop doing things detrimental to our lives.  We honor and thank you for all the ways you express love to us.

S – But if it doesn’t please you to worship the Lord, choose for yourselves today: Which will you worship—the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living? As for me and my family, we will worship the Lord.” 

Joshua 24:15 CSB

O – In his last days, Joshua challenges Israel to make a choice.  Continue to worship the gods of their past or exclusively the Lord.  He declares He will serve the Lord.

A – This is the dilemma we face each day.  Are we going to serve the things that are not God or are we going to serve the true God?  God gives us a free will and a choice.  I agree with Joshua – me and my family will choose God.

R – Lord, there is no other God than you.  You are the one, true God.  I choose you and in put my faith, trust and life in your hands.  Help me to grow in our relationship today.

S – Be very strong and continue obeying all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, so that you do not turn from it to the right or left ⁷ and so that you do not associate with these nations remaining among you. Do not call on the names of their gods or make an oath to them; do not serve them or bow in worship to them. ⁸ Instead, be loyal to the Lord your God, as you have been to this day

Joshua 23:6–8 CSB

O – Commentary: 

Turning to impress the Israelites with their responsibility, Joshua passed on the very words Yahweh had armed him with when He instructed him to cross the Jordan: Be … strong; be careful to obey (cf. 1:6–9). Courage and obedience were the graces that led to the successful Conquest of Canaan and they were no less essential now

“Joshua,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures,

A – In Israel’s biggest conquest (crossing Jordan and defeating the nations there), God tells Joshua “Be strong; careful to obey.” Now that the “fight” is over, a new one is starting.  It is living in peace or “normalcy.”  We need to be as strong and vigilant daily as in a battle.

 R – Lord, we love you today and honor you above everyone else.  As we go through today, help us to be strong and obey Your Word.  Let us be just as vigilant to do what you command.  Help us be strong and courageous. 

S – “Tell us, by what authority are you doing these things? Who is it who gave you this authority?” 

He answered them, “I will also ask you a question. Tell me, ⁴ was the baptism of John from heaven or of human origin?” 

Luke 20:2–4 CSB

O – The leaders want to know what gave Jesus the authority to cleanse the temple and do the miracles he was doing. And, who gave it to him?  Jesus returns their questions with one of his own they could not answer.  His authority supersedes theirs because it comes from God and was similar to John the Baptist’s.  

A – The power of a question.  Jesus demonstrates full mastery of the physical and spiritual realm in one question.  He doesn’t give the leaders what they want but truthfully answers them.  He honors God in preserving the authority given to him by Him.  We want to walk in this tension like Jesus.  Fully present in the physical realm while fully led by the Holy Spirit in the spiritual realm.

R – Lord, we surrender and worship you today.  We desire to be fully present in the physical realm while fully led by your Holy Spirit in the spirit realm.  Remove any distractions or challenges that will keep us from doing this.  We give you all the glory for this and how it will impact others in our day.

S – “Go into the village ahead of you. As you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it. ³¹ If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ say this: ‘The Lord needs it.’ ” 

Luke 19:30–31 CSB

O – Commentary: 

In antiquity the vast majority of people, including Christians, were poor; knowing that their Lord Jesus had to borrow his royal mount probably would have encouraged them.

Officials used donkeys for civil, not military, processions (1 Kings 1:38). Thus this text is not a triumphal entry in the sense of Roman triumphal processions; it is Jerusalem’s reception of a meek and peaceful king. Jesus chooses to define his kingship in terms of Zechariah 9:9, not the commonly expected role of warrior *Messiah.

The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament

A – Jesus was humble and intentional. He fulfilled the prophecy and presented himself again as the Messiah. He again demonstrated that his “war” was not against Rome but a Godly one.  Even with the accuracy of fulfilling the prophecy and symbolism, the people still missed it and crucified Him.  This is a great reminder for us to stay in alignment with God.  It is easy to get distracted or miss what He is doing.

R – Heavenly Father, thank you for your love for us.  You demonstrate it with the gift of Jesus’ life, crucifixion and resurrection.  Please help us stay close in our relationship with You so we can see all that You have for us today.

S – But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Look, I’ll give half of my possessions to the poor, Lord. And if I have extorted anything from anyone, I’ll pay back four times as much.” 

⁹ “Today salvation has come to this house,” Jesus told him, “because he too is a son of Abraham. ¹⁰ For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost.” 

Luke 19:8–10 CSB

O – Commentary:

But Zacchaeus stood up and voluntarily announced that he would give half of what he owned to the poor and repay fourfold all he had wronged. He publicly wanted the people to know that his time with Jesus had changed his life. Interestingly he parted with much of his wealth, similar to what Jesus had asked the rich ruler to do (18:22).

Jesus’ words, Today salvation has come to this house, did not imply that the act of giving to the poor had saved Zacchaeus, but that his change in lifestyle evidenced his right relationship before God. Zacchaeus, a son of Abraham by birth, had a right to enter the kingdom because of his connection with Jesus. That was Jesus’ mission—to seek and to save those who are lost

“Luke,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A — Two big concepts – Life change and connection with Jesus.  Life change is inevitable.  We all face “curveballs” in our lives. When life change happens connected with Jesus, it allows the supernatural to impact our decisions, actions and innermost being.

R – Lord, we invite your Holy Spirit to lead and interact with us today.  We are all going through life changes.  We desire your presence and power in all of it.  We want to draw closer to you so we can experience all of it in a relationship with you.