Joshua 18

What stood out today:
3 So Joshua said to the Israelites: "How long will you wait before you begin to take possession of the land that the LORD, the God of your fathers, has given you?
4 Appoint three men from each tribe. I will send them out to make a survey of the land and to write a description of it, according to the inheritance of each. Then they will return to me.
5 You are to divide the land into seven parts. Judah is to remain in its territory on the south and the house of Joseph in its territory on the north.
6 After you have written descriptions of the seven parts of the land, bring them here to me and I will cast lots for you in the presence of the LORD our God.
7 The Levites, however, do not get a portion among you, because the priestly service of the LORD is their inheritance. And Gad, Reuben and the half-tribe of Manasseh have already received their inheritance on the east side of the Jordan. Moses the servant of the LORD gave it to them."

My Response: Jesus, this is packed! I am moved by Your question, “How long will you wait to take hold of the Land that the Lord… Has given you?” “Rick, what are you waiting for? My life has been given for you and to you. What are you waiting for - to let Me live it through you?” Jesus, I have no answer… My answer is nothing. Whatever is holding me back is an illusion, or worse an idol, a false god, a nothing. “Rick, go watch Nooma again #20 Shells.”

From Nooma:

Time.
Billboard, cell phone, get more done. Get what done?
Getting so much done but it isn’t much of a life.
Jesus in Capernaum – Jesus does not do everything.
Jesus knows where He is going – Jerusalem.
Jesus can’t be everything to everybody.
Jesus had a compass an orientation.
Jesus says no because He knows where He is going, what His life is about.
He can say no because He knows what He has said yes to.
Do you have a hard time saying no?
Or better, what have you said yes to?
* I like Rob’s slow walk, his measured pace.
Sorren Kierkegaard: “A saint is person who can will one thing.”
Being busy can be a drug.
We must examine the rhythms of our life.
* “Rick, what you are doing and ask why are you doing it?”
The enemy of the best is the good.
* “Rick, what are the shells filling your hands that are keeping you from taking hold of the star fish?”
Is this you? Are you so busy that your hands are filled with shells?
May you drop your shells in the pursuit of a simple, focused, disciplined life; in which you pursue the few things God has for you. And may you be like Jesus, able to say no because you have already said yes.
* What have you said yes to?

Jesus, there is a lot here. It’s clear I need to delegate more effectively. Clearer in my expectations, consistent in follow-thru. Because I have said yes to some very important people: You, Nancy, Crystal, Becky, BCF, Forums. People take time… LOVE is spelled TIME.

Joshua 16 & 17

What stood out today:
16:4 So Manasseh and Ephraim, the descendants of Joseph, received their inheritance.
10 They did not dislodge the Canaanites living in Gezer; to this day the Canaanites live among the people of Ephraim but are required to do forced labor.
17:6 because the daughters of the tribe of Manasseh received an inheritance among the sons. The land of Gilead belonged to the rest of the descendants of Manasseh.
12 Yet the Manassites were not able to occupy these towns, for the Canaanites were determined to live in that region.
13 However, when the Israelites grew stronger, they subjected the Canaanites to forced labor but did not drive them out completely.
17 But Joshua said to the house of Joseph—to Ephraim and Manasseh-"You are numerous and very powerful. You will have not only one allotment
18 but the forested hill country as well. Clear it, and its farthest limits will be yours; though the Canaanites have iron chariots and though they are strong, you can drive them out."

My Response: Jesus, this Promised Land is part of your covenant promise. Yet, although You gave it, Israel still had to fight for it. And there were areas that the Canaanites were determined to keep. Jesus, this makes me think of our lives, my life. What areas of sin are determined to stay? What is my redemptive potential? What difficult areas are yet to be taken, like the “forested hill country?” I love Joshua’s closing remarks: “though they are strong, you can drive them out.” Jesus, nothing is too hard for You. By the power that is in your name I will take hold of Your Promised Land. Land for your daughters too…

Joshua 15

What stood out today:
63 Judah could not dislodge the Jebusites, who were living in Jerusalem; to this day the Jebusites live there with the people of Judah

My Response: All these towns, lands, and the people were driven out but this one. I immediately think of Your words in Mark 9:28-29 when you came off the mountain just having been transfigured. There is a boy who had a deaf and mute spirit that the disciples could not drive out; “After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, "Why couldn't we drive it out?" He replied, "This kind can come out only by prayer and fasting."” Lord, it seems there is much we can do with common grace – that is, out of our everyday relationship with you. There seems times when you bring us to situations where our spiritual gifting and natural talents are not enough. Then we have the choice: try harder, or pause and pray and fast and watch You. Lord, I feel like I am working too hard. I feel like I might not be resting in You enough.

Joshua 14

What stood out today:
7 I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh Barnea to explore the land. And I brought him back a report according to my convictions,
8 but my brothers who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt with fear. I, however, followed the LORD my God wholeheartedly.
9 So on that day Moses swore to me, 'The land on which your feet have walked will be your inheritance and that of your children forever, because you have followed the LORD my God wholeheartedly.'
10 "Now then, just as the LORD promised, he has kept me alive for forty-five years since the time he said this to Moses, while Israel moved about in the desert. So here I am today, eighty-five years old!

My Response: Hmm… Caleb wandered 40 years with Moses in the desert. Then he waited another 45 years for his inheritance. Lord why did he not receive it when Joshua took the land? Oh… is that why you reminded Joshua in chapter 13 that there was land still to be taken? Because there were still not promises lived up to? In this case Caleb waited 85 years. How long will it take for me to follow You wholeheartedly? How long will it take for me to take all the land you have given me? Jesus, help me not to forfeit any Grace that You have given me, help me to appropriate by faith all the promised land of eternal life that is available now. God, I love you and trust you.

Joshua 13

What stood out today:
1 When Joshua was old and well advanced in years, the LORD said to him, "You are very old, and there are still very large areas of land to be taken over.
2 "This is the land that remains: all the regions of the Philistines and Geshurites:
33 But to the tribe of Levi, Moses had given no inheritance; the LORD, the God of Israel, is their inheritance, as he promised them.

My response: Lord God, what a huge territory You wanted to give to Israel. It seems Joshua stopped short; he took much but not all. What a problem on several counts:
1) It is disobedience.
2) They did not take all You wanted to give.
3) Foreign gods and foreign wives still remained.

Jesus this seems to have great parallel to the LIFE You came to give:
1) It is large and bountiful, more than we think we need.
2) Your work of making us Holy opens a Kingdom that is vast, a land flowing with milk and honey.
3) Lord, help me not to stop short; let me not forfeit any Grace that could be mine.

Let me not be content with any “foreign gods” or foreign wives” left behind that might lead my heart astray from You. Jesus, there is part of me that says with great passion and tears that “I want You more than anything else.” And yet when I read that “You ,the Lord, the God of Israel are the inheritance for the Levites and not any wealth from the land,” I pause and hesitate, there is a part of me that still wants the earthly blessings as well as the One from heaven who blesses. Jesus, if you want to, or need to take away earthly things like BCF or the house or whatever… I trust You. I trust Your goodness that You want to give me something better; likely a greater trust in You… A faith that opens possibilities of intimacy with you that is more sublime and precious than any earthly thing.

“Rick, 'Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.'" Psalms 37:4”

Joshua 12

What stood out today:
1 These are the kings of the land whom the Israelites had defeated and whose territory they took over east of the Jordan
7 These are the kings of the land that Joshua and the Israelites conquered on the west side of the Jordan…

My response: Lord, why do you report this long list of kings and lands that “Israel” took? In the previous chapters you clearly state that You are giving these lands into their hands. Lord, help me to remember to “measure” what You call me to do, and to “report” what You have accomplished. For instance showing up in the morning to meet with You I can measure. The outcome though and the results are really Your doing.

Joshua 11

What stood out today:
4 They came out with all their troops and a large number of horses and chariots—a huge army, as numerous as the sand on the seashore. 5 All these kings joined forces and made camp together at the Waters of Merom, to fight against Israel.
6 The LORD said to Joshua, "Do not be afraid of them, because by this time tomorrow I will hand all of them over to Israel, slain. You are to hamstring their horses and burn their chariots."
13 Yet Israel did not burn any of the cities built on their mounds—except Hazor, which Joshua burned.
19 Except for the Hivites living in Gibeon, not one city made a treaty of peace with the Israelites, who took them all in battle. 20 For it was the LORD himself who hardened their hearts to wage war against Israel, so that he might destroy them totally, exterminating them without mercy, as the LORD had commanded Moses.

My response: Lord, again no one and no many can stand against you. Even if your whole creation rebelled we could not overpower You. With a single word You spoke it into being and with a single word I imagine You can pull the plug. I am also curious about the cities that Joshua did not burn and the Hivites that made a truce with Israel. It seems that this is a kind of yeast that will grow and be a curse to Israel in the future. I am also struck by verse 20, “You hardening their hearts” just like Pharaoh of Egypt. “Without mercy” as in Romans 9:15, “For he says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion."” And in Exodus 33:19, “And the LORD said, "I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.”

Jesus, I remember Joshua 5:13-14, You are neither for Israel or us, or our enemies. But Israel is and Your church are Yours, You call us, You choose, You save, You justify, You Glorify. Hmm… Romans 8:28-30, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.” God you did and You do it all! Yours is 1Chron 29:11 11,
Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power
and the glory and the majesty and the splendor,
for everything in heaven and earth is yours.
Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom;
you are exalted as head over all.

“Rick, let’s get it done. Let’s get rid of every sin. Hebrews 12:1, “Let us throw off everything that hinders that so easily entangles…”” Yes Jesus, I want to enter the Promised Land pure and undefiled. Happy Birthday Jesus…

Joshua 10

What stood out today:
6 The Gibeonites then sent word to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal: "Do not abandon your servants. Come up to us quickly and save us! Help us, because all the Amorite kings from the hill country have joined forces against us."
8 The LORD said to Joshua, "Do not be afraid of them; I have given them into your hand. Not one of them will be able to withstand you."
11 As they fled before Israel on the road down from Beth Horon to Azekah, the LORD hurled large hailstones down on them from the sky, and more of them died from the hailstones than were killed by the swords of the Israelites.
12 On the day the LORD gave the Amorites over to Israel, Joshua said to the LORD in the presence of Israel: "O sun, stand still over Gibeon, O moon, over the Valley of Aijalon."
14 There has never been a day like it before or since, a day when the LORD listened to a man. Surely the LORD was fighting for Israel!
25 Joshua said to them, "Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Be strong and courageous. This is what the LORD will do to all the enemies you are going to fight."
40 So Joshua subdued the whole region, including the hill country, the Negev, the western foothills and the mountain slopes, together with all their kings. He left no survivors. He totally destroyed all who breathed, just as the LORD, the God of Israel, had commanded.

My response: Wow! What a day!! What a 36 hour day!!! What a glory day for God and a glorious day for Israel. I love how more died from hail stones than the sword. You, God, are the Mighty One of Israel. I love how Joshua asked for more time and You stop the sun in the sky. Nothing is too hard for you. I love at the end all are killed and all are destroyed just as you commanded. But… What about the “but” in verse 20, “a few reached their fortified city?” And what about the people of Gibeon who made a treaty? It makes me think how important it is to kill all sin and not to leave even a little bit. Don’t live near it either. We are to be Holy as You are Holy. A little sin is still a big problem. O God, purify me. Abba, You have declared that Jesus did what was necessary on the cross. Holy Spirit, Mighty and Winsome One of the Godhead, please bring this to pass. I want the perfect, yielded, surrendered obedient LIFE of Christ. I want Jesus and His abundant LIFE more than anything else. God I think You want this for me too. Why else would there be Christmas and Easter? Nothing is too hard for you; even making this stiff-necked rebellious one of yours one who is holy. Go, God, go!!

Joshua 8:30 thru 9

What stood out today:
8:34 Afterward, Joshua read all the words of the law—the blessings and the curses—just as it is written in the Book of the Law.
35 There was not a word of all that Moses had commanded that Joshua did not read to the whole assembly of Israel, including the women and children, and the aliens who lived among them.
9:3 However, when the people of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai,
4 they resorted to a ruse: They went as a delegation whose donkeys were loaded with worn-out sacks and old wineskins, cracked and mended.
14 The men of Israel sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the LORD.
18 But the Israelites did not attack them, because the leaders of the assembly had sworn an oath to them by the LORD, the God of Israel. The whole assembly grumbled against the leaders,
19 but all the leaders answered, "We have given them our oath by the LORD, the God of Israel, and we cannot touch them now.

My response: God, we humans are so flaky before You! Joshua goes from the height of reading Your law to all the people. Then he plummets to a low by not inquiring of You and falling for a trick – “a ruse.” God, You alone are wise and faithful and full of love toward us. We are so foolish not to want to listen. The consequences are great. “Rick, read, listen, learn My son.”… You call us to a relationship that is beyond our wildest dreams. You promise to be with us, to bless us, to cherish, love, and care for us. It is so stupid not to inquire. Yes you gave us brains and you want us to use them and the smartest thing is to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.” Proverbs 3:5-6

Joshua 8

What stood out today:
1 Then the LORD said to Joshua, "Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Take the whole army with you, and go up and attack Ai. For I have delivered into your hands the king of Ai, his people, his city and his land.
2 You shall do to Ai and its king as you did to Jericho and its king, except that you may carry off their plunder and livestock for yourselves. Set an ambush behind the city."
18 Then the LORD said to Joshua, "Hold out toward Ai the javelin that is in your hand, for into your hand I will deliver the city." So Joshua held out his javelin toward Ai.
28 So Joshua burned Ai and made it a permanent heap of ruins, a desolate place to this day.
29 He hung the king of Ai on a tree and left him there until evening. At sunset, Joshua ordered them to take his body from the tree and throw it down at the entrance of the city gate. And they raised a large pile of rocks over it, which remains to this day.

My response: Lord, by faith I take these words to myself, “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged” “Rick, remember when I spoke to you about Becky?” “Ease up my son, lean into Me, ask Me for anything and I will do it. Rick, I am well pleased.” Yes Lord, in Hebrews 11:6 you say, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” Lord, what shall I hold up while You take our place in the market for Bucks County Furniture? I look forward to the pile of rocks to commemorate your victory. Lord, give me the grace to believe. I am such a fearful person. When I was young I was afraid of losing Nancy. Then when Becky was a teen I was afraid of losing her. I have been afraid of losing key employees. Now I am afraid of losing …. Lord Jesus, such a lack of faith to be so fearful. I believe, help thou my unbelief!

Joshua 7

What stood out today:
9 The Canaanites and the other people of the country will hear about this and they will surround us and wipe out our name from the earth. What then will you do for your own great name?"
10 The LORD said to Joshua, "Stand up! What are you doing down on your face?
12 That is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies; they turn their backs and run because they have been made liable to destruction. I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy whatever among you is devoted to destruction.
20 Achan replied, "It is true! I have sinned against the LORD, the God of Israel. This is what I have done: 21 When I saw in the plunder a beautiful robe from Babylonia, two hundred shekels of silver and a wedge of gold weighing fifty shekels, I coveted them and took them. They are hidden in the ground inside my tent, with the silver underneath."
26 Over Achan they heaped up a large pile of rocks, which remains to this day. Then the LORD turned from his fierce anger. Therefore that place has been called the Valley of Achor ever since.

My response: O Lord, what a fearsome story. Sin is always directed at You and You take great offense. David in Psalms 51:4 says, “Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge.”

God as You kill the people of Canaan - they deserve it. You also are capable of making examples of Your own people Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5 and Achan and his whole family in Joshua 7. Holy Spirit, help me know better this attribute of God’s nature and character - His Holiness. Help me to see God’s beauty that would eclipse the beauty of Babylon and this world. Help me to give Glory to God – give weight, worth, value to Him. Jesus, rescue me from “the cravings of my sinful man, the lust of the eyes, and the boasting of what I have and do.” 1John 2:6 Yes, Amen. “What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!

So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin. “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.” Rom 7:29-8:2 So, Holy Spirit, destroy whatever is within or among me “that is devoted to destruction.” Extract and destroy all the tentacles of sin that are so deeply entrenched. In Hebrews 4:12-13 You say, “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” Yes God! I love what You are doing!!!

Joshua 6

What stood out today:
16 The seventh time around, when the priests sounded the trumpet blast, Joshua commanded the people, "Shout! For the LORD has given you the city!
17 The city and all that is in it are to be devoted to the LORD. Only Rahab the prostitute and all who are with her in her house shall be spared, because she hid the spies we sent.
18 But keep away from the devoted things, so that you will not bring about your own destruction by taking any of them. Otherwise you will make the camp of Israel liable to destruction and bring trouble on it.
19 All the silver and gold and the articles of bronze and iron are sacred to the LORD and must go into his treasury."

My response: Lord Jesus, Your ways are so different. What a story for all the people. You are awesome in power and Holy in all Your ways. I love how You save Rahab and her whole household. I love how you gather the gold, silver into Your treasury. God, You are gracious, merciful, giving, HOLY.

Joshua 5

What stood out today:
2 At that time the LORD said to Joshua, "Make flint knives and circumcise the Israelites again."
3 So Joshua made flint knives and circumcised the Israelites at Gibeath Haaraloth.
7 So he raised up their sons in their place, and these were the ones Joshua circumcised. They were still uncircumcised because they had not been circumcised on the way.
9 Then the LORD said to Joshua, "Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you." So the place has been called Gilgal to this day.
13 Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, "Are you for us or for our enemies?"
14 "Neither," he replied, "but as commander of the army of the LORD I have now come." Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, "What message does my Lord have for his servant?"

My response: Lord Jesus, You are the ultimate promise keeper. The Covenants You make You do not forget. And you want us to remember, too. The shedding of blood for the remission of sins. The rolling away of reproach reminds me of “the third day” when you rose again and the angel rolled the stone away and sat on it. What a thrill and terror for Joshua to see the commander of the army of the Lord. I love that the commander knows whose side he is on - God’s! What a great reminder for us. You promise, You act, You shed blood, You roll away stones, You fight with Your army. You ask us to believe, receive, repent, obey and You invite/command, “Follow Me!” How very great is all of that…

Joshua 4

What stood out today:
23 For the LORD your God dried up the Jordan before you until you had crossed over. The LORD your God did to the Jordan just what he had done to the Red Sea when he dried it up before us until we had crossed over.
24 He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the LORD is powerful and so that you might always fear the LORD your God."

My response: Lord God, You indeed are mighty to save! You can part the Red Sea, You can part the Jordan River. There is no God like you in heaven or earth. It is wonderful to hear how You set Your love upon Israel - even more upon me! Thank you for letting me participate in letting the world know that You are God and You are good!

Joshua 3

What stood out today:
5 Joshua told the people, "Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you."
8 Tell the priests who carry the ark of the covenant: 'When you reach the edge of the Jordan's waters, go and stand in the river.' "
17 The priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan, while all Israel passed by until the whole nation had completed the crossing on dry ground.

My response: Lord, you are amazing indeed! I am struck by the centrality of the Arc or the Covenant. The vessel of your promise is Holy, set apart. You lead with Your covenant promise. You make waters in the flood season stand up in a heap. You dry the ground even. It’s interesting you lead Israel out of Egypt through the Red Sea. You lead Israel into the Promised Land through the Jordan, holding back great waters and drying the ground. Lord, you spoke to Joshua telling him what to do. Lord please do the same for me as I lead. You alone know where you are leading.

Joshua 2

What stood out today:
9 and Rahab said to them, "I know that the LORD has given this land to you and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you.
14 "Our lives for your lives!" the men assured her.
16 Now she had said to them, "Go to the hills so the pursuers will not find you. Hide yourselves there three days until they return, and then go on your way."
17 The men said to her, "This oath you made us swear will not be binding on us 18 unless, when we enter the land, you have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down
24 They said to Joshua, "The LORD has surely given the whole land into our hands; all the people are melting in fear because of us."

My response: Jesus, what great pointers to your Gospel! God prepares hearts with a great fear. There is a great exchange, “our lives for your lives.” There is an oath. There is a scarlet cord in the window. The spies hide for three days in the hills. Lastly there is confidence in the Lord, sublime trust.

Joshua 1

What stood out today:
5 No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.
6 "Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them.
7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.
8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."
16 Then they answered Joshua, "Whatever you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go.
17 Just as we fully obeyed Moses, so we will obey you. Only may the LORD your God be with you as he was with Moses.
18 Whoever rebels against your word and does not obey your words, whatever you may command them, will be put to death. Only be strong and courageous!"

My response: Joshua, Jeshua, Jesus, what was it like for you to hear these words echo from God and the people: “God is with you” and “Be strong and courageous?” I would think it was very encouraging. As Wayne Barber says, “Let Jesus be Jesus in you.” Jesus, forgive me for being afraid. Forgive me for not trusting You; Your power, Your wisdom. I will gaze upon you. I will only glance at the challenges. I will be careful to obey everything You have written and that You say. Jesus, you are my Rescuer, my Lord and my God; You have united me to Yourself, I am engraved in Your hands. Of course You will never leave me nor forsake me, You can’t! But better than that you would not want to….

Hosea 11

What stood out today:
1 "When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.
4 I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love; I lifted the yoke from their neck and bent down to feed them.
8 "How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I treat you like Admah? How can I make you like Zeboiim? My heart is changed within me; all my compassion is aroused.
9 I will not carry out my fierce anger, nor will I turn and devastate Ephraim. For I am God, and not man—the Holy One among you.

My response: As Luther cried out; “I want a God of Love, One who is merciful.” The whole world cries out. If only they knew the truth. If only your church believed the truth. If only I believed more completely. “Lord I believe, help thou my unbelief.” Lord God. Father, Son, Holy Spirit thank you for loving me with a white hot Holy Love that is all consuming. Help me to be completely open to You, completely vulnerable. If I can be that deeply trusting; You will be Glorified, and pleased. And, I will be transformed as you desire. Maranatha! Come Lord Jesus! Bring it on…

Isaiah 49

What stood out today:
15 "Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!
16 See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.

My response: Lord God, how tender are these words. Such intimacy; of course a nursing mother could not forget. You invite us to ponder. What does it mean that I am engraved on the palms of your hands? I could understand a name engraved. Jesus, are the holes in your hands the engraving marks? Such wonderful words, God give me the grace to believe. To a small extent I believe, help my unbelief.

Isaiah 43

What stood out today:
1 But now, this is what the LORD says — he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.
3 For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your stead.
4 Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you.

My response: Father, what a wonderful chapter, what wonderful words. Would You grant me the grace to believe? Jesus, I do trust You are. You lead me through deep waters, swift rivers, raging fires; the only thing that will be destroyed is the dross of unbelief. You will bring what is precious to You through all that. Indeed Lord God, your plans are too wonderful for me. I hear you that I am loved and precious by God Most High…

Psalm 131

What stood out today:
1 My heart is not proud, O LORD, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me.
2 But I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me.
3 O Israel, put your hope in the LORD both now and forevermore.

My response: Abba Father, my heart is proud and my eyes are haughty. I am more concerned with my honor than Yours. Too often my soul is racing. Too rarely do I sit quiet before you. Even as I sit morning after morning for an hour and even an hour and a half, even two; it does not seem like enough.

“Rick, just sit and receive my Love…” And so we sat for more than a half hour.

Psalm 91

What stood out today:
1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
5 You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day,
11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;
14 "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation.

My response: Father, I feel like I should be doing better with the trials. I don’t feel like I am resting in you, your shadow. I am not sleeping soundly. I do wake up with fear in the middle of the night. Jesus you know all about everything - you were tempted in every way that I am. Will you show me how to walk this season of strain with poise and grace? Will you show me how to float in the river of the Spirit, how to surrender to His direction and flow? Holy Spirit, lead me into the Jesus zone. Help me dwell in the shelter of the Most High. Would you set my heart free to love and receive love with reckless abandon? May I be open and completely vulnerable to you Jesus, may I learn how to be that deeply trusting. May I be transformed “to the fullness of Christ?” Ephesians 4:13 O God… I want You!!!

Psalm 23

What stood out today:
3 He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.

My response: Jesus, the two “for” clauses caught my attention: “for your Name’s sake” and “for you are with me.” What do you want me to see? Its all about You. Its all about you and me!! Your name, your glory matters most. Me being transformed, “mature attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” Ephesians 4:13 Abba Father, I want these things too… I want to “know” in the Biblical sense the fullness of your matchless, precious love. Yes Jesus, You are my Lord, You are my shepherd.