Today’s reading: Josh 19:10–20:9, 2 Cor 12:11–21, Ps 57:1–58:11
Today’s theme: Stand in faith
We learn today that we should not lose ground to the enemy by not standing in faith on God’s promises. Be encouraged that God will bring his purposes to pass in and through your lives as you trust in him.
Joshua 19:10–20:9
Just stand in faith
When the territory of the people of Dan was lost to them, the people of Dan went up and fought against Leshem. After capturing it and striking it with the sword they took possession of it and settled in it, calling Leshem, Dan, after the name of Dan their ancestor. Joshua 19:47 (ESV).
The full account of the tribe of Dan’s taking of the city of Leshem is found in Judges 18. Although it seems good that they did not settle for being run out of their allotted land and so moved to the far north and took the city they named Dan. The reality is that they should have stood their ground in their own allotted inheritance and should not have lost the ground to the enemy.
The problem is that the people of Dan did not hold onto their inheritance because it was not held in faith, they did not truly put their trust in God.
We can learn from this today that we should not lose our inheritance and end up setting ourselves up in some halfway house of compromise because we do not have the guts and faith to fight the enemy. No, we should stand and fight and having done all we can just stand in faith as mentioned in Ephesians 6:13-17.
2 Corinthians 12:11–21
Willing to be spent
Here for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be a burden, for I seek not what is yours but you. For children are not obligated to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less? 2 Corinthians 12:14–15 (ESV)
In a day where the perverted prosperity gospel is spreading across the world with it’s focus on paying for breakthroughs and millionaire preachers. It is refreshing to read Paul’s appeal to the Corinthians, he is not seeking their possessions but seeking them, their very souls and allegiance for the sake of Christ.
Paul also says he is willing to be spent in full for them. We should have this same attitude as we serve the body of Christ today to the glory of God.
Psalm 57:1–58:11
God fulfils his purposes
I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me. Psalm 57:2 (ESV)
We can boldly put our trust in God. He will see his purposes fulfilled in us Philippians 2:13.
Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.
Additional resources
The Gospel Coalition OR Desiring God on 2 Corinthians 12