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Joshua 24:1-33; Isaiah 19:1-20:6; 2 Thessalonians 3:1-18

Then said Thomas…unto his fellow disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him. John 11:16

Someone once asked me, “What is your greatest need?” My answer, “Young men and women wholly and utterly committed to their Lord and His Word, who are willing to go anywhere for Christ, seeking lost souls, even if it means dying on a foreign field and being buried in an unmarked grave in a remote jungle or city.” When the disciples seemed fearful to return to the place where their Lord had recently been stoned, Thomas had to urge them to live up to their commitment and be willing to die with Christ if need be. Am I so committed? —David Croudace

So send I you to die to dear desire, self-will resign,
So send I you to lose your life in Mine. —Margaret Clarkson

Joshua 23:1-16; Isaiah 17:1-18:7; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-17

The ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. 1 Peter 3:4

There are people who photograph themselves and then use computer software to improve their appearance, before visiting a plastic surgeon to explore the possibility of looking like their computer image. Researchers at Boston University call it “Snapchat Dysmorphia.” Christian’s bodies are “the temple of the Holy Spirit” (1 Cor. 6:19, NKJV). They should be treated with sanctity and our attractiveness should be found in exemplifying Christ-like character such as the “ornament of a meek and quiet spirit” (1 Peter 3:4). —Brian Powlesland

Give us Thy meek and lowly mind; we would obedient be;
And all our rest and pleasure find in fellowship with Thee. —James Deck

Joshua 22:1-34; Isaiah 15:1-16:14; 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12

But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags. Isaiah 64:6, NKJV
He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness. Isaiah 61:10

What had to occur to change our filthy rags to robes of righteousness? God says that no amount of soap or lye could do it; He still sees the stain of our guilt (Jer. 2:22). We could do nothing to cleanse away our sin. It took Jesus’ blood, shed on the cross to remove it. With redeemed hearts we can exclaim: “Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood” (Rev. 1:5)! —E. V.

Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow. —E. Hall

Joshua 20:1-21:45; Isaiah 14:1-32; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-28

He said, “Oh, my Lord, please send someone else.” Exodus 4:13, ESV

Moses’ excuse? I’m not eloquent! Gideon’s excuse? I am too weak! Jonah’s excuse? No thanks I’m leaving! What’s your excuse? God is still calling individuals to move out of their comfort zone and take the message of the Gospel to a people who are lost. The God who calls to service is also the God who equips for service. He’s not interested in our ability or lack thereof, He’s interested in our availability. —Sid Halsband

Far, far away, in heathen darkness dwelling,
Millions of souls for ever may be lost;
Who, who will go? salvation’s story telling,
Looking to Jesus, counting not the cost. —James McGranahan

Joshua 18:1-19:51; Isaiah 13:1-22; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-18

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18

While visiting Rome, I got off course one evening. As I walked, I wasn’t sure of the route and sent up an anxious prayer “Lord please get me home!” I looked up and noticed a cross shining brightly in the distance. I remembered that near my hotel was a building with a large cross. I followed the light from that cross all the way to the hotel. It was an amazing feeling—the cross led me home! —Deborah Manera

In the cross, in the cross, be my glory ever;
Till my raptured soul shall find rest beyond the river. —Fanny J. Crosby

Joshua 16:1-17:18; Isaiah 11:1-12:6; 1 Thessalonians 2:13-3:13

Jeshurun [Israel]…forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation…Of the Rock that begat thee thou art unmindful, and hast forgotten God that formed thee. Deuteronomy 32:15, 18
They drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. 1 Corinthians 10:4

The Lord Jesus is the Rock of our salvation. How often do we, intentionally or unintentionally, “lightly esteem” Him by not giving Him His rightful place, or have we “forgotten” Him by not listening to Him and obeying His voice? He is our Creator and our Saviour and He is worthy to have first place in our lives. —E. C. B.

On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.
All other ground is sinking sand. —Edward Mote

Joshua 14:1-15:63; Isaiah 10:5-34; 1 Thessalonians 1:1-2:12

Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ? John 4:29

The “woman at the well” had just had a life changing encounter with the Lord Jesus. Leaving behind her waterpot, she rushed into the city to proclaim with excitement and enthusiasm, “Is not this the Christ?” I wonder, when we think back to the moment we placed our faith in Christ, do we recall the same passion in our hearts that this woman had? Do we still have that burning desire to tell others of the Lord? I trust we do. —Bob Cretney

Let my hands perform His bidding;
Let my feet run in His ways;
All for Jesus! All for Jesus!
Let my lips speak forth His praise. —Mary D. James

Joshua 13:1-33; Isaiah 9:8-10:4; Luke 24:36-53

Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite…have wholly followed the Lord. Numbers 32:12

The Kenizzites were Canaanites, foreigners, Gentiles. Caleb, in Hebrew, means “dog”, a common Jewish epithet for Gentiles. But Caleb is the only one of whom it says repeatedly that he “wholly followed the Lord”. Unlike the thousands of native Israelites who carelessly threw away their inheritance in the land and chose unbelief instead, Caleb could not be turned away from the true God he had found. Then one day, Caleb, an adopted Jew, and Joshua, a native Jew, entered the promised land together. Let us wholeheartedly hold fast to our inheritance. —M. MacMullen

I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. —2 Tim. 1:12

Joshua 11:1-12:24; Isaiah 8:5-9:7; Luke 24:13-35

As for God, his way is perfect. 2 Samuel 22:31

One of the results of being created with free will is the natural desire to do things “our own way.” This desire is not only limited to rebellious children, but plagues every one of us. We feel that “our way” is always best. But God disagrees. He reminds us that our ways are not His ways, because His ways and thoughts are so much higher than ours (Isa. 55:8). By totally surrendering our will to His, we will discover that “his way” is always perfect. —E. V.

Have Thine own way Lord! Have Thine own way!
Thou art the Potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after Thy will,
While I am waiting yielded and still. —Adelaide A. Pollard

Joshua 10:1-43; Isaiah 7:1-8:4; Luke 23:47-24:12

Whoever offers praise glorifies Me. Psalm 50:23, NKJV
That, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:31, NKJV

Everything that God does and has ever done has been done to bring Him glory, (Isa. 42:8; Rom. 9:23; Jer. 9:23-24). Indeed, He deserves all the glory for the wondrous things He has done. When we praise our Lord Jesus Christ we glorify Him and His Father. He is worthy of our richest adoration and thanksgiving. May our praises ring out for His glory today. —Annette Baal

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee.
Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty;
God in three persons, blessed Trinity —Reginald Heber