S – So Joshua took the entire land, in keeping with all that the Lord had told Moses. Joshua then gave it as an inheritance to Israel according to their tribal allotments. After this, the land had rest from war.

Joshua 11:23 CSB

O – Joshua accomplished God’s purpose by conquering 31 kings and armies.  He did this by following God’s instruction and word.  It brought victory and peace.

A – What difference would it make in our lives if we followed God’s purpose, instruction and Word?   There would be victory, growth and peace.  We would walk in our “inheritance” for all God has for us.

R – Heavenly Father, we surrender our will and plans to you today.  We desire to know your purposes, plan and will for us.  We know victory, growth and peace come from you and we seek it.  All glory and honor to you today!

S – On the day the Lord gave the Amorites over to the Israelites, Joshua spoke to the Lord in the presence of Israel: “Sun, stand still over Gibeon, and moon, over the Valley of Aijalon.” 

¹³ And the sun stood still and the moon stopped until the nation took vengeance on its enemies. 

Isn’t this written in the Book of Jashar? 

So the sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed its setting almost a full day. 

¹⁴ There has been no day like it before or since, when the Lord listened to a man, because the Lord fought for Israel.

Joshua 10:12–14 CSB 

O – Commentary:

The “long day” of Joshua 10, however, must be explained. What did actually happen on that strange day? The answers are numerous (an eclipse, clouds over the sun, refraction of the sun’s rays, etc.). But the best explanation seems to be the view that in answer to Joshua’s prayer God caused the rotation of the earth to slow down so that it made one full rotation in 48 hours rather than in 24. It seems apparent that this view is supported both by the poem in verses 12b–13a and the prose in verse 13b. (The Book of Jashar is a Heb. literary collection of songs written in poetic style to honor the accomplishments of Israel’s leaders; [cf. David’s “lament of the bow” in 2 Sam. 1:17–27].)

God stopped the cataclysmic effects that would have naturally occurred, such as monstrous tidal waves and objects flying around. Evidence that the earth’s rotation simply slowed down is found in the closing words of Joshua 10:13: The sun … delayed going down about a full day. The sun was thus abnormally slow or tardy in getting to sunset, that is, its progression from noon to dusk was markedly lethargic, giving Joshua and his soldiers sufficient time to complete their victorious battle.

An important fact that should not be overlooked is that the sun and moon were principal deities among the Canaanites. At the prayer of Israel’s leader Canaan’s gods were compelled to obey. This disturbance to their gods must have been terribly upsetting and frightening to the Canaanites. The secret of Israel’s triumph over the coalition of Canaanites is found in the words, Surely the Lord was fighting for Israel! In answer to prayer Israel experienced the dramatic intervention of God on their behalf and victory was assured.

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

A – Sometimes, God is just cool. I love this miracle because as impossible as it seems, it is not.  I love the faith of Joshua to even ask for it.  God fights for us.

R – Heavenly Father, you are big and nothing limits you.  I pray to walk in a faith that allows you to do anything you want for me or through me.  I will give you all the glory for you alone are worthy of it.

S – The one who guards his mouth protects his life; the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin.

Proverbs 13:3 CSB

O – Commentary:

Being careful about what one says helps keep him out of trouble (cf. 14:3; 21:23). But speaking rashly (hastily and thoughtlessly; cf. 12:18) brings on trouble (cf. ruin in 10:8, 14) to the one who speaks and to others. By his reckless words he makes promises he can’t keep, divulges private information, offends, or misrepresents. People learn not to depend on what he says and do not want to be around him. He may also suffer physically or financially.

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

A – We need to protect and maintain integrity in our words.   We reveal our innermost thoughts and beliefs when we speak and then act.  If we are going to grow ourselves and others, leveraging the weight and force of our words is imperative.

R – Heavenly Father, you are amazing and worthy of all praise today.  Give us intentionality and discernment on using our words to bring life.  In all things, let us point people to you.

S- So he got up and went to his father. But while the son was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him.

Luke 15:20 CSB

O – Commentary:

It was a breach of an elderly Jewish man’s dignity to run, though familial love could take priority over dignity after a long absence (cf. Tobit 11:9—mother and son). Given the normal garb, the father would have to pull up his skirt to run. Kissing was a conventional greeting for family members or intimate friends; normally it consisted of a light kiss on the lips (easily distinguishable from lovers’ passionate kisses).

The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament

A – The father was willing to become “undignified” to get to his son.  God allowed Jesus to become “undignified” to reach us.  He is looking for us when we are far off.  Like the father in this story, God moves first by seeing us.  He sees us in our sins and human deficiencies and moves toward us with forgiveness and mercy.  He restores to us dignity and relationship.

R – Father, thank you for your love for us.  You are a God who has no limitations.  Yet, you know us intimately.  In meeting us where we are, we yield our sin, guilt and shame to you.  We receive your forgiveness and mercy today.  We step toward you in relationship and desire to know you more.

S – There is life in the path of righteousness, and in its path there is no death.

Proverbs 12:28 CSB

O – “Life” – châyâh:  to live, whether lit. or fig.; caus. to revive:— keep (leave, make) alive, × certainly, give (promise) life, (let, suffer to) live, nourish up, preserve (alive), quicken, recover, repair, restore (to life), revive, (× God) save (alive, life, lives), × surely, be whole.

“Path” – ôrach:  a well-trodden road (lit. or fig.); also a caravan:— manner, path, race, rank, traveller, troop,

“Righteousness” – tsâdaq,  to be (caus. make) right (in a moral or forensic sense):— cleanse, clear self, (be, do) 

“Death” – mûwth:  to die (lit. or fig.); caus. to kill:— × at all, × crying, (be) dead (body, man, one), (put to, worthy of) death, destroy (-er), (cause to, be like to, must) die, kill, 

 James Strong, The New Strong’s Dictionary of Hebrew and Greek Words (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1996).

A – There is a “well-trodden” way for us to go that brings all that we need and clarity in ourselves.  It doesn’t take away from the true person God created us to be.  Why would we not follow it?  We are sinful and self-centered.  The enemy attacks our thoughts and brings condemnation.  We are not strong enough to face temptation.  We must grow in our knowledge of God’s Word so we can apply it to our lives.  We must grow in our faith in His forgiveness and apply that to our lives as well.

R – Heavenly Father, thank you for your mercy and grace.  We are sinners.  Thank you for the blood of Jesus that forgives us when we don’t walk in your ways and righteousness. Give us strength and courage to take steps in your will and purpose today.  

HEY Gus!

S – Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him. So the Israelites obeyed him and did as the Lord had commanded Moses. ¹⁰ No prophet has arisen again in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face.

Deuteronomy 34:9–10 CSB

O – Commentary:

34:9 full of the spirit of wisdom: When Joshua was selected as Moses’ successor, he had to be invested with the Spirit of God to fill the office (Num 27:15–23; cp. Num 11:16–30). Now that Moses had died, God showed that Joshua was Moses’ divinely appointed successor by giving continuing evidence of the Spirit’s power and blessing.

34:10 face to face: Moses and the Lord had an intimate relationship, and there was no need for an intercessor between them. Aaron and Miriam once challenged Moses’ leadership and were severely rebuked by the Lord (Num 12:8), who reminded them that they were ordinary prophets that received revelation by dreams and visions. Moses was not such a prophet. God said, “I speak to him face to face, clearly, and not in riddles” (Num 12:8). No other prophet in OT times could rival Moses’ relationship with God (see note on 18:15).

 New Living Translation Study Bible

A – Two significant principles:

1.  Joshua was anointed with the spirit of wisdom to lead the next generation of Israelites.  He was not a prophet but a leader.  In succession, choosing the right person is important.  Finding the person whom God is appointing to lead is imperative.

2.  God was so intimate with Moses that they spoke face to face.  That is the closest described in the Bible. YET, Moses didn’t get to go into the promised land.  God’s love exceeds our failures.  Even with grace and mercy, there is accountability for us.

R – Lord, You are big and have no limitations.  I surrender and worship you.  I desire the anointing to lead with the spirit of wisdom.  Let me align with your will, purpose and wisdom today.

S – A woman was there who had been disabled by a spirit^, for over eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. ¹² When Jesus saw her, he called out to her, “Woman, you are free of your disability.” ¹³ Then he laid his hands on her, and instantly she was restored and began to glorify God. 

Luke 13:11–13 CSB

O – Verse 12 – “When Jesus saw her” stands out to me.  Everyone else knew her as the bent over lady.  He calls her out, speak freedom to her, lays hands on her and healed her.  Her response was praise and glory to God.

A – Jesus sees us.  For some that is challenging because of our past or sinful nature.  For others, it is comforting because of our freedom and forgiveness when we do sin.  Ultimately, God sees us and knows us.  It is our choice to allow Him to call us into freedom and bring restoration.  It is also our choice to give Him glory for all that He does for us.

R – Lord, we surrender and glorify your name today.  You alone are worthy of our worship and honor today.  Thank you for seeing us right where we are.  Help us to walk towards freedom and restoration.  We choose your ways over our own.  We will be careful to give you all the glory and praise. 

S – The diligent hand will rule, but laziness will lead to forced labor

Proverbs  12:24 CSB

O –

Diligent:  mâhı̂r, quick; hence, skilful:— diligent, hasty, ready.

Rule:  râdâh, ; to tread down, i.e. subjugate; spec. to crumble off:— (come to, make to) have dominion, prevail against, reign, (bear, make to) rule (-r, over),

Laziness:  r^emı̂yâh, remissness, treachery:— deceit (-ful, -fully), false, guile, idle, slack, slothful.

Forced:  lâchats,  to press, i.e. (fig.) to distress:— afflict, crush, force, hold fast, oppress (-or), thrust self.

 James Strong, The New Strong’s Dictionary of Hebrew and Greek Words (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1996).

A – We need to grow in our gift and talents.  We need to show consistency and intentionality in our growth if we want to lead.  It is too easy to be lulled into easy, slacking actions.  

R- Heavenly Father, we honor you today at the highest level.  You alone are worthy of all praise and honor.  Let our thoughts, words and actions cause us to make purposeful steps in accomplishing all that you have for us today.  Let us see the fruits of our labor and bring glory to your name.

S – Then Moses called for Joshua, and as all Israel watched, he said to him, “Be strong and courageous! For you will lead these people into the land that the Lord swore to their ancestors he would give them. You are the one who will divide it among them as their grants of land. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.”

Deuteronomy 31:7,8  CSB

O – Moses transfers the leadership over to Moses.  He tells him how to lead, what he will accomplish, how to deal with challenges and what God will do for him.

A – This is a great primer for any change of leadership.  God wants us to lead with strength.  We need to know what we are trying to accomplish.  We will face challenges and we have to have “an attitude” of resolve.  Finally, we need to know that God is not only with us but He goes before us to work on our behalf.

R – Heavenly Father, thank you that when we face change or leadership challenges, you go before and with us.  We invite you to move and do what you will.  Empower us mentally, physically and emotionally.  We love you today!

S – The hidden things belong to the Lord our God, but the revealed things belong to us and our children forever, so that we may follow all the words of this law

Deuteronomy 29:29 CSB

O – Commentary:

Moses ends his prophecy of the Jews’ rejection, just as St. Paul ends his discourse on the same subject, when it began to be fulfilled, Ro 11:33. We are forbidden curiously to inquire into the secret counsels of God, and to determine concerning them. But we are directed and encouraged, diligently to seek into that which God has made known. He has kept back nothing that is profitable for us, but only that of which it is good for us to be ignorant. The end of all Divine revelation is, not to furnish curious subjects of speculation and discourse, but that we may do all the words of this law, and be blessed in our deed. This, the Bible plainly reveals; further than this, man cannot profitably go. By this light he may live and die comfortably, and be happy for ever. 

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary 

A – God wants us to walk in obedience today. Yet, as we grow closer to Him, more things will beI revealed to us. There will be principles and character traits that God will unveil to us so that we may grow more in Him.  Similar to knowing my wife for 36 years.  She has revealed more of her character, attitude and desires so I can walk alongside her as her husband.  It is the same concept with God.

R – Heavenly Father, I ask that your Holy Spirit will reveal more of who you are to me today.  Please help me to obey your Word and will.  Let my curiosity lead to more growth with You.