Tag: Inspire

VENGEANCE IS THE LORD’S

July 15, 2020 | Romans 12:9–21 DEVOTIONS This Month’s Issue The amount of death and destruction described in the book of Joshua is not for the squeamish. Historian John Bright somewhat jokingly writes, “You simply cannot preach from this book, and you ought not to teach it to children. Shield our gentle ears from violence […]

Read more

VENGEANCE IS THE LORD’S July 15, 2020 | Romans 12:9–21 DEVOTIONS This Month’s Issue The amount of death and destruction described in the book of Joshua is not for the squeamish. Historian John Bright somewhat jokingly writes, “You simply cannot preach from this book, and you ought not to teach it to children. Shield our gentle ears from violence such as this.” It is true that large sections of Joshua contain difficult passages about battles, conquest, and killing. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. ROMANS 12:18 As we read about the destruction of cities and kings, the violence can be overwhelming to modern-day readers, troubling to us as Christians, and offensive to skeptics. But let’s pause and consider this issue from a broader biblical and theological perspective. In Paul’s letter to the Romans, he discusses the repayment of evil. Paul contrasts our individual desire for retribution (v. 17) with God’s sovereign judgment of evil: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay” (v. 19). As Joshua led the conquest of the Promised Land, God would order the destruction of people and communities who were morally corrupt. Extra-biblical resources confirm that these places were populated by God-haters and were extremely evil. They practiced child sacrifice and other unthinkable behaviors. With each city destroyed, God was carrying out His divine judgment of sin. Paul’s letter to the Romans is a reminder that God commands us to love one another, and, as much as possible, to live in peace. We are to be the people who are “joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer” (v. 12). But our call to exhibit these qualities does not negate God’s justice or His wrath in response to disobedience. Vengeance did not belong to Joshua, and it does not belong to us. Rather, it belongs to the Lord. God’s Word reminds us to abstain from seeking vengeance, and instead pursue peace. We are to love, care, and show generosity. When we leave vengeance to the Lord, we can better follow His leading. Are there people whom you need to approach with a more charitable attitude?

July 15, 2020 | Romans 12:9–21 DEVOTIONS This Month’s Issue The amount of death and destruction described in the book of Joshua is not for the squeamish. Historian John Bright somewhat jokingly writes, “You simply cannot preach from this book, and you ought not to teach it to children. Shield our gentle ears from violence […]

Read more

SAVED FROM DESTRUCTION

July 12, 2020 | Joshua 6:17–25 DEVOTIONS This Month’s Issue Imagine the bedlam that occurred after the walls of Jericho came tumbling down. As bricks crumbled and dust clouded the air, the Israelite army rushed into the city. The enemies fled for their lives as Jericho was overtaken. Rahab and her family were in hiding, […]

Read more

STAND UNITED

July 4, 2020 | Joshua 1:10-18 DEVOTIONS This Month’s Issue Where did we get the phrase “United we stand, divided we fall”? The concept is a biblical one (Mark 3:25), but the phrase was penned in 1768 by John Dickinson, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States of America. In “The Liberty Song” […]

Read more

GOD IS STILL WITH US

July 7, 2020 | Joshua 3:1–17 DEVOTIONS This Month’s Issue A leadership transition can be difficult. In times of uncertainty, a myriad of questions flood people’s minds: How will we make it? What will our future be like? How will our new leader treat us? Churches and ministries can be especially challenged by the complexity […]

Read more

BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS

July 3, 2020 | Joshua 1:1–9 DEVOTIONS This Month’s Issue Imagine you heard on the evening news that a band of nomads was attempting to take over a fortified city. Nobody would think they stood a chance, especially if their experienced leader had just died. As Joshua led the Israelites into the Promised Land, it […]

Read more

BEGINNING AGAIN

July 1, 2020 | Deuteronomy 34:1–12 DEVOTIONS This Month’s Issue If you were asked to name a famous basketball player, Michael Jordan might immediately come to mind. Jordan helped the Chicago Bulls claim 6 championships in 8 years and become one of the greatest basketball dynasties of all time. In 1998, Jordan decided it was […]

Read more

GOD NEVER FAILS

June 30, 2020 | Genesis 50:1–21 DEVOTIONS This Month’s Issue Do we truly believe that God never fails? Our view of success and failure ultimately depends on what we believe about God and His sovereignty. If God is sovereign, we can trust the good and bad moments of our lives to Him. Joseph modeled this […]

Read more

GOD’S LOVE NEVER FAILS

June 29, 2020 | 1 Corinthians 13 DEVOTIONS This Month’s Issue In his famous sonnet, William Shakespeare praised the steadfast nature of love: The greatest of these is love. 1 CORINTHIANS 13:13 “Love is not love Which alters when it alteration finds, Or bends with the remover to remove. O no! it is an ever-fixed […]

Read more

TURNED UPSIDE DOWN

June 28, 2020 | 1 Corinthians 1:18–31 DEVOTIONS This Month’s Issue Educator Michael Bycraft argues that failure can be a valuable experience for children. He explains: “If we have always taught our kids that every test must be an A+, then how do we support them when it isn’t?” He argues there’s a better approach: […]

Read more
Select a language»