Chapter 1
Your wives, your little ones, and your livestock shall remain in the land that Moses gave you beyond the Jordan, but all the men of valor among you shall pass over armed before your brothers and shall help them, until the Lord gives rest to your brothers as he has to you, and they also take possession of the land that the Lord your God is giving them. Then you shall return to the land of your possession and shall possess it, the land that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you beyond the Jordan toward the sunrise. Joshua 1:14-15 – God is a giver of blessings, yet sometimes He’ll ask us to set our blessings aside for a moment to help someone else reach their own blessings. Is God being hateful towards you if He asked you to do this? I hope you don’t see it that way. God just loves that “someone else” just like He loves you and knows He can use you in the process of reaching them with His blessing. For that to happen though, we may have to leave the comfort of our own blessing. We see at that moment which we care about more…our comfort or helping others. Don’t allow selfishness to take over your heart. While the comfort of your blessing now is amazing, helping others experience the blessings of God is a blessing in itself that you’d never taste
Joshua 1 Daily DEVO Your wives, your little ones, and your livestock shall remain in the land that Moses gave you beyond the Jordan, but all the men of valor among you shall pass over armed before your brothers and shall help them, until the Lord gives rest to your brothers as he has to you, and they also take possession of the land that the Lord your God is giving them. Then you shall return to the land of your possession and shall possess it, the land that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you beyond the Jordan toward the sunrise. Joshua1:14-15 – We who have already possessed the gift of life that God has offered to us need to take a moment to listen to what is happening here. Part of the people of Israel had already claimed their land, but Joshua tells them that they need to step up and help their brothers claim their own land before they can settle down and enjoy their land. We need to be in the business of helping other people claim the life God is offering them rather than just settling down. There are future brother and sisters in Christ all around you, step up and begin helping them take hold of what God is offering to them. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1165
Joshua 1 – Pastor Mac Daily DEVO Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. Joshua 1:6-7 – “Be strong and courageous.” That phrase was spoken to Joshua by Moses, now it’s spoken to Joshua multiple times by the Lord, and even at the end of our chapter some of the people of Israel say it to Joshua. I believe this was a message God wanted Joshua to hear. What’s something that God is repeating in your story? Do you feel the Lord consistently telling you to let something go? Is there a continued burden on your heart to step up into an area of ministry or service? Has the Lord been making known to you a way you need to start living? As with Joshua, when God repeats something, there is a purpose and we better take note. For Joshua it was to lead with strength, boldness, and courage despite the challenges. If in your story God has been repeating a message, be willing to listen and follow His lead. Leading a rebellious people into enemy territory wasn’t an easy calling, nor may be what God is calling you to do. Yet, if we claim to be followers of God, let’s follow God. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2460
Chapter 2
And as soon as we heard it, our hearts melted, and there was no spirit left in any man because of you, for the Lord your God, he is God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath. Joshua 2:11 – Such is the case when the message of the power of God is shared. The story here is a city has heard just how God provided and fought for His people and they know that when God’s people come against them they will have no chance of winning because of how God fights for His people. You must remember God still fights for His people. You must remember if you’ve accepted Christ you are His people. That means that same power that struck fear into the hearts of nations back in the OT is the same power that’s fighting for you! Whatever battle you’re facing right now please know I recognize it’s real; I’m battling my own wars too. Yet allow the message here to step into that battle with you, that God is fighting for you and He wins. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac
Joshua 2 Daily DEVO For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and Og, whom you devoted to destruction. Joshua 2:10 – Even before they were born, God was working to set them up for their future. What happened with the Red Sea was a miracle their parents saw, not them, but the news of what happened that day is what struck fear into the enemy’s heart. Realize God has been working on your tomorrow long before you existed and long before you began worrying about it. The starting of you praying about what’s to come isn’t the start date of God working on what’s to come in your story. He has been at work longer than you can imagine to set you up for what’s to come. Trust then when news of whatever your tomorrow holds reaches you that it reached God long before. He has tomorrow taken care of. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1166
Joshua 2 – Pastor Mac Daily DEVO And Joshua the son of Nun sent two men secretly from Shittim as spies, saying, “Go, view the land, especially Jericho.” And they went and came into the house of a prostitute whose name was Rahab and lodged there. Joshua 2:1 – For many this will be a familiar story, when Rahab hides the two spies that came to check out Jericho and the promise land. Yet, think about what that meant, two guys were able to simply cross the Jordan and just walk into the promise land before anyone else. I can find myself imagining some massive security fence between God’s people and the promise land. Something that would have kept them out of it for 40 years and something that would have kept someone like Moses from just walking into it even though he wasn’t allowed. Yet, as we see with these two guys, there wasn’t a security fence, they were able to simply walk into Jericho no problem. What kept the people from going in as they pleased? Obedience to God. For us, opportunities may be easy for us to walk into, but God has said no to them. Or maybe a relationship is available to us, and we deeply want it, but we know it isn’t one God would have us in. Like the Israelites, there’s no security fence here. We could easily step into that opportunity and relationship. Why don’t we though? Obedience to God. Just because a path is easy and doors are open doesn’t mean it’s always right with God. Be willing to search out His heart on these things and if that direction doesn’t match up with scripture or doesn’t offer you a godly peace, let’s not begin down that path. Sometimes the most faithful and most obedient thing a follower of God can do is say no. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2461
Chapter 3
Then Joshua said to the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.” Joshua 3:5 – God has plans for your present life today and He has plans for your future. So what are you doing today to prepare yourself for those future plans? The best thing you can do to be ready for what God has in store for you in the future is be faithful in what God has already given you today. Love the people that you meet today, serve in ways you can only do today, draw closer to Him in prayer and through scripture today. Today is your preparation day for what God has planned for tomorrow. The absolutely best thing you can do to prepare is create a habit of following His plans for you today so you’re ready to follow them tomorrow. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac
Joshua 3 Daily DEVO …and as soon as those bearing the ark had come as far as the Jordan, and the feet of the priests bearing the ark were dipped in the brink of the water (now the Jordan overflows all its banks throughout the time of harvest) Joshua 3:15 – God was promising to work wonders among the people that day. He was going to affirm the calling of Joshua in the eyes of the people that day. God was going to move on behalf of His people that day. The priests though had to be willing to place their feet in the water to see all that take place. We have to be willing to do the same. God is promising to work wonders in our story to, but we may have to have the faith to dip our feet into the overflowing river first to see the wonders take place. Trust that God can make the overflowing river you’re trying to get though stop in its tracks. Trust that when you take the step He is leading you to take that you’ll plant your foot on stable, solid ground. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1167
Joshua 3 – Pastor Mac Daily DEVO Yet there shall be a distance between you and it, about 2,000 cubits in length. Do not come near it, in order that you may know the way you shall go, for you have not passed this way before. Joshua 3:4 – The big move is finally taking place for the people of Israel, the Ark of the Lord is leading the way through the Jordan river and into the promise land. The set up would be the ark would be carried far ahead of the group, about half a mile, so the course for the massive group of people could be seen clearly by all. For each step forward would be new for this group, only a few had ever been anywhere outside of the wilderness. The ark would be ahead, and they would follow. Jesus also behaves this way in our story, working far ahead of us setting the course and preparing the path. What we must keep in mind though is that Jesus may be working far ahead in your story, but He isn’t out of sight for you today. Yes, Jesus’ hands are already today working for your tomorrow, for your next ten years, even for your eternity after death. He though isn’t absent from our story for today nor is He making His work always hidden from us. What we may have to do is look up and look for Jesus on this path. While far off, the ark was still visible to the people, but they would have to look up from the ground and look ahead for the ark to see it. Today, fix your eyes on the Jesus that is ahead of you. He is leading you today so you know which way to go. A looking up from your current struggle is needed and looking forward is a must. What though we find when we look for Jesus is a God who desires to be seen by us. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2462
Chapter 4
Take twelve men from the people, from each tribe a man, and command them, saying, ‘Take twelve stones from here out of the midst of the Jordan, from the very place where the priests’ feet stood firmly, and bring them over with you and lay them down in the place where you lodge tonight.’ Joshua 4:2-3 – What are you taking away from the times of God’s provision to remind you when times are rough that God is with you? See these stones were to be a reminder for God’s people that He was with them and a sign for generations to come as to how God provides for His own. So what stones are you setting up to remind you of how God takes care of you? Maybe it’s a note in the margins of your bible of when God spoke into you through His Word. Maybe it’s a picture of a friend that God brought into your life when you needed them most. The list could go on, but there is a fact that remains…if we don’t set up some reminders for ourselves of what God has done, we can forget about how good of a God He is next time we are in need. Take time in the blessed times to set up some “stones.” Don’t allow the future struggle to blind you to what God has done for you in the past. Look back at those stones, those reminders of God’s provision, and remember the same God that was with Joshua here, was the same God that was with you in your past struggle, and still is the same God that’s walking with you through this current struggle. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac
Joshua 4 Daily DEVO That this may be a sign among you. When your children ask in time to come, ‘What do those stones mean to you?’ Joshua 4:6 – What are your stones that people around you will see and ask you about? For the people in our passage the stones were a visible testimony of what God had done for them, something that others could see and ask about. What are people seeing in you that’s making them wonder and ask? Could be the way you talk is different than anyone else at work. Could be you don’t do what everyone else at school does. Could be the fact you have a habit of going to church. Our life with God should be visible within our life. Those around us should be able to see the Jesus within us, even if they don’t yet understand what they are seeing. So how today can you let the Jesus within you be seen by others around you so they begin asking you about Him? I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1168
Joshua 4 – Pastor Mac Daily DEVO And he said to the people of Israel, “When your children ask their fathers in times to come, ‘What do these stones mean?’ then you shall let your children know, ‘Israel passed over this Jordan on dry ground.’” Joshua 4:21-22 – Tomorrow I’ll be preaching on being devoted to the apostles teaching. Now my last point is one I foresee some feeling at first overwhelmed with because I’m going to push people to “teach” the apostles teaching. While that may seem too much, too out of their comfort zone, what I’m asking them to do is what we see happen in this passage. To be ready to share God’s words and work with people when the opportunity arises. To tell of the wonders He Has done. To talk about the blessings that’s God promises in His word. Sure, for some, maybe that does mean from behind a pulpit, but most may happen in places like the car with your kids. Whenever the chance arises, help someone know God and His word like you do. Again, it doesn’t have to be on stage in front of people to be considered “teaching.” Sharing a verse with a coworker, reminding your child that God loves them, retelling a promise of God’s faithfulness to a hurting friend, this is teaching God’s word. Help someone else today know God like you do. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2463
Chapter 5
And the manna ceased the day after they ate of the produce of the land. And there was no longer manna for the people of Israel, but they ate of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year. Joshua 5:12 – Some might say that God was cruel in stopping the manna. Wasn’t that the source of food that kept the Israelites going for their trek in the wilderness? Why would God suddenly just stop the provision? Did He not care about them anymore? What we see if we read the passage correctly is that yes, God stopped the provision of manna, but also started the provision of food in the promised land. God never stopped providing, He just changed the way His provision came. This is something God will do in your story as well. He’ll put a stop to a provision in your life yet open the doors for another means of provision. The best thing you can do is not get mad at God for closing off the last provision. Even if right now you don’t see that new means of provision yet, know God will never leave you without. Trust Him still, keep moving forward in where He’s leading you, and watch as the new means of provision unfolds in front of you. That’s walking by faith. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac
Joshua 5 Daily DEVO When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us, or for our adversaries?” And he said, “No; but I am the commander of the army of the Lord. Now I have come.” Joshua 5:13-14a – God is for our good and loves us. God though loves the ones we call our enemies and is seeking them to know His goodness as well. We must remember God’s ultimate goal is not to accomplish our plans. He has a plan that He is accomplishing and He is inviting us to step into His plan and do our part. His plan is sharing His love and offer of life to the world. That offer is to us and even to those we call our enemies. Remember then that God isn’t about your agenda, but He is about you. He loves you and is inviting you into what’s He’s doing. Just realize what He is doing might end up being the exact opposite of what your agenda is saying to do. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1169
Joshua 5 – Pastor Mac Daily DEVO And the manna ceased the day after they ate of the produce of the land. And there was no longer manna for the people of Israel, but they ate of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year. Joshua 5:12 – The manna from heaven stopped being provided for the people to eat. The food God had provided for them for forty years in the wilderness suddenly just stopped. If read by itself, that would look like a cruel thing for the Lord to do, the very thing He continued to provide for them, He stopped giving. Why? Because they finally were able to eat of the food of the promise land. God had stopped providing manna, but He didn’t stop providing. Is this where you are at today? Where God has been blessing you for a long time with something and now that something is no longer being provided. Maybe it was a steady income or love from a relationship or even an able body. Wonderful blessings to be provided with, and something you had provided to you for a long time, but now that provision isn’t being given. While your “manna” may not be given anymore, that doesn’t mean God has stopped providing for you. He is still aware of your daily needs and He is aware of you. What He provides now may not look like the manna you’re used to, but if we are faithfully following His lead we can have confidence that the new provision being offered is one of promise. That manna may no longer be in your hands, but God isn’t going to leave His follower empty-handed. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2464
Chapter 6
Now Jericho was shut up inside and outside because of the people of Israel. None went out, and none came in. Joshua 6:1 – We too can build up our walls to try to keep God out and our struggles held within. Something we see though within these passages is nothing is too strong to keep God from coming into our innermost parts. God has a direction He is going into your life and it’s not just to take care of the external things in your story like your job, finances, or family. He’s about that, but He also very invested in the changing of the inner you too. The way you see yourself, the way you trust Him, peace of mind; all are things God is wanting to work on in you. Just know, you may be able to set up some good walls to keep all that inside, but God will tear down those walls. Not to hurt you, but because He loves you and cares more about you than just your external life. Why not just allow His Word to work within your life, allowing Him past the walls so His love can begin changing you where you really need it most. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac
Joshua 6 Daily DEVO And the second day they marched around the city once, and returned into the camp. So they did for six days. Joshua 6:14 – Seems like a simple verse, just stating they did the walking for six days. But remember this wasn’t just walking. They were in a foreign land, walking around the massive walls of an enemy all because God told them to. This group remained faithful to God even in the presence of their enemies and when the directions made no sense. That’s something to admire. Is that admirable quality something you have? Are you willing to follow God when difficulties are present and the directions don’t make any sense? This is all a part of growing in your walk, but it starts with the first step of faith. Solidify in your mind that God is good and He’s going to walk alongside you during every confusing, difficult step. The journey of following God isn’t the easiest, but when moments like the walls of Jericho fall happens, the difficulties of the journey become worth it. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1170
Joshua 6 – Pastor Mac Daily DEVO And they burned the city with fire, and everything in it. Only the silver and gold, and the vessels of bronze and of iron, they put into the treasury of the house of the Lord. 25 But Rahab the prostitute and her father’s household and all who belonged to her, Joshua saved alive. And she has lived in Israel to this day, because she hid the messengers whom Joshua sent to spy out Jericho. Joshua 6:24-25 – What a day this must have been for Rahab. Besides her family, everything she knew was destroyed. Her home, all her belongings, her city, her friends, her life. While her actions were faithful and she was saved from the destruction, that doesn’t mean all this was absent of grief for her. Yet as we look ahead in the stories of scripture we see her story didn’t stay settled in the grief of that day. While we aren’t 100% scripturally certain, it is agreed by most all the Rahab in Matthew 1:5 is the same Rahab in this story. Which would have meant she found a husband while being with the people of Israel and had Boaz. Rahab would have been the mother-in-law of Ruth from scripture and even a part of the family tree of Jesus. As we seek to connect her story to ours, this doesn’t mean that we can’t feel the grief when things like what happened to Rahab’s life happens to us, but it is an example of God’s faithfulness and the sort of joy He brings to those who faithfully follow Him. Your story may be camped out in the heavy right now, and the crumbled walls of your Jericho are all around you, but know what’s ahead as you faithfully follow Jesus is life, joy, peace, and hope. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2465
Chapter 7
But the people of Israel broke faith in regard to the devoted things, for Achan the son of Carmi, son of Zabdi, son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of the devoted things. And the anger of the Lord burned against the people of Israel. Joshua 7:1 – This is the third passage I’ve seen this week that unpacks this point: Your actions do not just have an effect you alone. Especially when we look at our church family this message is so important to hear. Let’s say you choose to get a little lazy in your prayer times and scripture reading. Also you get busy and start missing church. Obviously we can see how that will effect your spiritual walk, but does it effect anyone else’s? How would your not being at church effect your church family? How would you not studying God’s Word effect someone coming to you for advice? How would not being active in prayer effect the way you make decisions that involve more than just you? See, no matter how much you think your choices spiritually only effect your walk, you are so wrong. If you’re not healthy, those connected to you feel it too. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac
Joshua 7 Daily DEVO Get up! Consecrate the people and say, ‘Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow; for thus says the Lord, God of Israel, “There are devoted things in your midst, O Israel. You cannot stand before your enemies until you take away the devoted things from among you.” Joshua 7:13 – We can’t stand when we remain devoted to things that aren’t God. Here we see the whole nation feeling the effects of one man’s selfishness. He chose to disregard God’s command and keep things that God told him never to have. As a result, not only did the man feel the pain of that but the nation did as well. We can’t complete the mission God’s given us if we won’t follow the command to set aside the things we devote ourselves to other than God. What then might that be for you? What’s something you know God has asked you to set aside and you know it’s interfering with your walk with Him? Choose today to finally set it aside. See firsthand what God can do through you when you set aside the things that are holding you back. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1171
Joshua 7 – Pastor Mac Daily DEVO Then Joshua tore his clothes and fell to the earth on his face before the ark of the Lord until the evening, he and the elders of Israel. And they put dust on their heads. And Joshua said, “Alas, O Lord God, why have you brought this people over the Jordan at all, to give us into the hands of the Amorites, to destroy us? Would that we had been content to dwell beyond the Jordan!” Joshua 7:6-7 – Joshua is finding himself in a hard spot, one you too may have found yourself in before. His desire is to faithfully follow God and from what he is aware of, he is. His heart is in the right place and he is seeking to fulfill the call God placed on him. Then defeat hits. He loses in battle, loses men, and finds himself overwhelmed and confused. He’s remaining faithful, but the outcome wasn’t blessing. Whether it’s with Joshua or us, this is a hard place to find ourselves. When we too are trying to live faithfully and follow Jesus daily, but what we see in our story sure doesn’t feel like blessing. In Joshua’s situation, we see why things unfolded like they did for him. Sin had been committed and needed to be dealt with. Now for us we can’t just read ahead a few verses or skip ahead a chapter to see the reason, but even if we can’t immediately see the reason we can have faith God has a reason. His promise is to bless and provide for those who faithful follow Him, so when the cards dealt by God to you don’t seem like blessing, know God has a reason. Keep remaining faithful, as difficult as that may be, for God is worth our faithfulness. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2466
Chapter 8
And I and all the people who are with me will approach the city. And when they come out against us just as before, we shall flee before them. Joshua 8:5 – Sometimes what we do as Christians will look very foolish to the rest of the world. Like here in our passage, we have the army of Israel, who has God fighting for them, turning and fleeing. Can you imagine what that must have looked like to their enemy? Thing is though, this was all planned out and had to happen in order for their victory to be won. For us, victory might take us doing some things that look foolish to the world. Like trusting in a God you can’t see, forgiving someone who really hurt you, or even showing love to someone who by worldly standards doesn’t deserve it. That sort of stuff doesn’t make since to the rest of the world, but it’s what we as Christians are called to do. While we may be mocked for those sort of actions due to their “foolishness” in the world’s eyes, these are the very things that will bring about victory in our lives and others. Don’t let the way you follow God be determined by those who don’t follow Him. You know what you’ve been called to and as foolish as others may say it is, you know it’s the path that’s right. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac
Joshua 8 Daily DEVO And you shall do to Ai and its king as you did to Jericho and its king. Only its spoil and its livestock you shall take as plunder for yourselves. Lay an ambush against the city, behind it. Joshua 8:2 – If Achan would have just waited on God he would have came out with so much more. See in the previous chapter a guy name Achan during one of the attacks took for himself some of the valuables of the city, something God specifically told them not to do. As a result he not only had to give up all that stuff he took, but he lost his life as well. If he would have just listened to what God said and followed it, not only would he be alive but would have his chance at all the spoils he could carry. We need to make a habit of following what God says, even when at first it seems like we are being given the short end of the deal. We aren’t. God’s plan is to bless us, the blessing though may come after the second battle and not the first. Are you willing then to faithfully follow God in the first battle knowing that the blessing may not come till after your second, third, or tenth battle? Have confidence that God’s not in the business of leaving the children He loves un-taken care of. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1172
Joshua 8 – Pastor Mac Daily DEVO At that time Joshua built an altar to the Lord, the God of Israel, on Mount Ebal…Joshua 8:30 – What time was “that time?” Israel had just defeated the city of Ai, a city in the last chapter they had just tried to defeat but lost that battle royally. Now instead of tasting defeat, a massive victory was theirs with spoils even to enjoy. Yet what was Joshua’s posture after the victory? He gave praises to the Lord. Often we can find ourselves handling our walk with God like Joshua when it came to the defeat by Ai. Coming to God, asking questions, ready to give up because things aren’t working out like we thought they would. Yet when it comes to how Joshua came to the Lord after the defeat of Ai, there we may not find ourselves imitating as often. We’ll approach God in the heavy but we may forget to approach Him in the blessing. The example we see set by Joshua is one we truly should take note of. Yes, always be approaching the Lord when life isn’t going as you hoped it would, but when life is going well, approach Him then too. Whether defeat or victory, God is present with us in them both. So whether it is defeat or victory, let’s find ourselves in the presence of the God who is with us either way. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2467
Chapter 9
And they went to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal and said to him and to the men of Israel, “We have come from a distant country, so now make a covenant with us.”Joshua 9:6 – Lies. These people actually were living very close by and were afraid of Joshua and the Israelites. They came up with this plan to deceive Joshua into thinking they weren’t his enemy by pretending to be something they were not. As sad as this is, this can happen to you as well. In your efforts to follow God faithfully, sometimes people will enter into your story pretending to be on your side yet really are only there with selfish motives. Am I saying to be suspicious of everyone who comes near you, not at all. What you should do though is what Joshua didn’t do. Seek God out in prayer about these people. If you’re unsure about their motives of whether to help or hurt your walk with God, talk with God about it. We all need people in our lives to help us grow to what we’re called to be, but it’s the right people that can help with that. If God is leading you away from someone, listen and obey. Your Heavenly Father knows best. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac
Joshua 9 Daily DEVO So the men took some of their provisions, but did not ask counsel from the Lord. Joshua9:14 – When you’re unsure of something, talk with God about it. Clearly the people of Israel were uncertain about these strangers, doubting what they were saying was true. Yet even with this uncertainty they moved forward without consulting God on the matter. We to are going to run into situations that are confusing. What we do in those times and what decisions we make in those moments can be filled with uncertainty like we read in this chapter. Just remember the same God they could have sought counsel from is the same God we can seek counsel from in our uncertain times. God is present and free to ask questions to. Take advantage of what this amazing relationship Jesus died for you to have offers you. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1173
Joshua 9 – Pastor Mac Daily DEVO As soon as all the kings who were beyond the Jordan in the hill country and in the lowland all along the coast of the Great Sea toward Lebanon, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, heard of this, they gathered together as one to fight against Joshua and Israel. Joshua 9:1-2 – Now if you were to read this chapter, the focal point isn’t this multi-kingdom army waging war against Israel, but about the deception made by the people of Gibeon. While one group is seeking a fight and one is speaking lies, both are seeing what God is doing and coming against His people. In our efforts to remain faithful to Jesus, know we too are going to experience pushback against our faith. Some people will come harshly against us and some will seek to deceive us. There will be rumors, hate, persecution, and vileness thrown our way because of our faith in Jesus. How then are we to respond? With love, grace, and a readiness to share the message of salvation through Jesus with them. There is no type of pushback we can receive that will equate to a justified reason not to show love to someone. If Jesus, who was lied about, arrested, beaten, spat on, mocked, and killed, still demonstrated the greatest love anyone can show to another person to the very people that did all those things to Him, we can show love to someone even if they are mean to us. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2468
Chapter 10
…he left none remaining in it….Joshua 10:30 – This short phrase and ones like it fill the last part of chapter 10. We see Joshua destroying the cities within the land God promised them and as we can see from this commonly used phrase in this chapter, he left none remaining in those cities. As intense as that all may be, that’s how we should be in our lives too. See your life is like the promised land in Joshua. In Joshua, there was nations that weren’t supposed to be in the promise land that had to be removed. So is it with sin in your “promise land.” Sin isn’t supposed to be in your life and through Christ, we no longer are chained to it. We can now refuse to follow it and have it as a part of our lives. Yet will you? Will you leave none remaining or allow some to stay? Our lives should be wholly devoted over to God, not most all of it but a little held back. When we keep around some sin, that’s us holding back some of ourselves from God. Follow Joshua’s lead here, destroy it all. Don’t allow any to stay because all it’s going to do is hurt you. The best way to enjoy your promised land to the fullest is remove anything that’s not meant to be there. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac
And the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, until the nation took vengeance on their enemies. Is this not written in the Book of Jashar? The sun stopped in the midst of heaven and did not hurry to set for about a whole day. Joshua 10:13 – God isn’t held back in any way to provide for you. We can’t place the limitations we’ve seen in other people within our life on God. We also can’t place our own limitations to provide on God either. Our Heavenly Father has so much more power than you or anyone else has. His storehouse of resources He has to help you with is grand and never ending. Don’t ever listen to the lie from your enemy that God isn’t able to help you or doesn’t want to help you. Look at the passage, God is willing to stop the sun in the sky for the ones that He loves and are following His lead. He’s able to provide for you like that too. Seek Him, lean on Him rather than what you normally lean on, and truly watch for His provision faithfully. While waiting for that provision though, don’t stop your efforts to live for God. Joshua found his provision in the fight and so will you. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac
Joshua 10 Daily DEVO And as they fled before Israel, while they were going down the ascent of Beth-horon, the Lord threw down large stones from heaven on them as far as Azekah, and they died. There were more who died because of the hailstones than the sons of Israel killed with the sword. Joshua 10:11 – When we invite God into the process things that would never of been able to happen do happen right before our eyes. We see this over and over with the conquest of Joshua. When God was consulted and invited into the battle plans, victories and miracles happen that would have never taken place if He wasn’t there. This is no different than our story today. As we invite God unto our daily lives by diving deeply into His word to listen to His direction and talking to Him through prayer, we’re going to see His working in our lives like never before. If having the God who created the universe fight for us as an option in life we can choose…why wouldn’t we choose that? Choose to turn to Him and watch for yourself how He moves in the lives of those who follow Him. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1174
Joshua 10 – Pastor Mac Daily DEVO So Joshua came upon them suddenly, having marched up all night from Gilgal. Joshua 10:9 – Joshua leads the armies of Israel into a massive purge of the land of Canaan and it began with the protection of the people of Gibeon who they just made a covenant to protect in the chapter before. Joshua and his army marches all night and surprises the enemy army with sudden battle. Yet the battle was long, and we even see God hold back the sun for about an extra 12 hours so they could continue fighting for the victory. See then what it took to accomplish the direction of the Lord, marching all night and then battling for hours then having the sun stand still so you could continue battling some more. Know sometimes what God calls us to do will take an effort like this from us too. I highly doubt any of us will have to battle like Joshua did, but the mission we’re given may not be quickly accomplished nor easy to do. It may take long nights and days that seem never to end, and it’s a fight the whole time. Yet, what we hold to is the promise that God is with us and has already given the victory to us. My hope then with this devotion is to not dissuade you from following God but simply remind you that difficulty isn’t uncommon when following God. That when the exhaustion hits and the enemy seems to keep coming, this place is not foreign for a follower of God to be in. In those spaces, lean on the brothers and sisters God has placed in your story. Find yourself deeper in His word and find yourself in prayer like never before. Seek as well to remember that while you’re in the battle, you aren’t battling without God, He is right there with you fighting the good fight. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2469
Chapter 11
Joshua made war a long time with all those kings. Joshua 11:18 – As we looked at yesterday, Joshua was commanded to rid the promise land of the nations that weren’t supposed to be there. Like Joshua, we should rid our lives of the sinful habits that’s shouldn’t be there. What we see though in today’s passage is the process for Joshua wasn’t a quick one. Nor will it always be for you. Some things we can set aside easily while other sinful habits won’t be so easy to let go of. Don’t get discouraged in the process of handing those things over to God if you mess up with them again. Don’t let that mess up stop you from handing it over to God as if this sin is just too big for you to let go of. God is leading you to remove it once and for all. It may take more time and more energy than you expected or wanted to cut that habit out, but God is willing to be your strength the whole time because He is all about you being free of the bondage of sin. Keep handing it over to Him and if you mess up with that sin, don’t lose heart. Remind yourself you’re forgiven already and continue back again with the process of leaning on God and handing that part of your life back over to Him. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac
Joshua 11 Daily DEVO Joshua made war a long time with all those kings. Joshua 11:18 – Are you trying to remove the things that you know God doesn’t want in your life? Are you seeking still to say no to the old habits that keep coming back up? Know then you are living faithfully, even if the removal is taking awhile. See Joshua’s command was to purge the land of the nations that were there, but this process wasn’t quick nor easy. Yet even though the process took awhile, Joshua was still considered faithful because of the direction he was going. That’s what matters in our story, what direction are you going. Be sure the direction you’re heading toward is the one where your life is free of what shouldn’t be there. If the process takes awhile, is a struggle, and even has a few failures in it but has the heart of moving forward towards the life God wants for us, then that’s a life that’s faithful. Know God realizes we’ll struggle, He just wants the struggle to come as we are pursuing Him. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1175
Joshua 11 – Pastor Mac Daily DEVO So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the Lord had spoken to Moses. And Joshua gave it for an inheritance to Israel according to their tribal allotments. And the land had rest from war. Joshua 11:23 – While at the end of this chapter we do see Israel find rest from war, until that point it was battle after battle after battle. From individual cities to multi-kingdom armies coming against them, Israel had to fight to accomplish what God had laid in front of them. While these past couple days devotions have been focused on the fight aspect of our faith, we’re seeing just a reality that is often hard to accept. Rest may not come soon. Of course we can find rest in Jesus daily and find our daily bread in Him to sustain us, but that table with bread may be set in the presence still of our enemies. Take heart then knowing the battle may not end soon but Jesus is remaining with you. You are not alone, you will have what you need, and God is shaping your tomorrow. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2470
Chapter 12
The king of Jerusalem, one; the king of Hebron, one. Joshua 12:10 – Don’t ever mark something down as too far gone for God to save. In this chapter, we get a list of all the kings that Joshua conquered and look at the one in verse 10; the king of Jerusalem. When we often think of Jerusalem, we think of it in the New Testament times as the holy city with the temple of the Lord there. Yet apparently it wasn’t always that way. At one point it was under the control of something other than God. God though was able to change it into something meant for Him, and so can God do with the things you think are out of His reach. Maybe it’s a part of your life that just seems unchangeable or maybe it’s a person that seems so far off from wanting God. Whatever the case may be, God is powerful enough to bring whatever back to Him. You’re role is to be faithful in prayer to see what your part to play in His plan is. Just never assume something is too far gone for God to save; our God is so much bigger than you think He is. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac
Joshua 12 Daily DEVO Moses, the servant of the Lord, and the people of Israel defeated them. And Moses the servant of the Lord gave their land for a possession to the Reubenites and the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh. Joshua 12:6 – I appreciate what they chose to do hear within the story, something we all need to stop and do more. They paused and reminded themselves of what God had already done for them. Especially when we see that in the next chapter they are looking ahead at all that still remained to be taken, pausing here to look back at how God had moved for them was essential. How often do you pause to remember what God has done for you? We pause enough times a day to dwell on what’s to come, but do we pause to remember what’s been done for us in the past? Maybe the peace you are seeking concerning the future will come by reminding yourself of what God has already done in your story. Today seek out a time to reflect on and praise God for what has already been done for you in your story. If He’s taken care of you like that this whole time, why should we doubt Him with tomorrow? I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1176
Joshua 12 – Pastor Mac Daily DEVO …the king of Jericho, one; the king of Ai, which is beside Bethel, one; 10 the king of Jerusalem, one; the king of Hebron, one; 11 the king of Jarmuth, one; the king of Lachish, one; 12 the king of Eglon, one; the king of Gezer, one; 13 the king of Debir, one; the king of Geder, one; 14 the king of Hormah, one; the king of Arad, one; 15 the king of Libnah, one; the king of Adullam, one; 16 the king of Makkedah, one; the king of Bethel, one; 17 the king of Tappuah, one; the king of Hepher, one; 18 the king of Aphek, one; the king of Lasharon, one; 19 the king of Madon, one; the king of Hazor, one;20 the king of Shimron-meron, one; the king of Achshaph, one;21 the king of Taanach, one; the king of Megiddo, one; 22 the king of Kedesh, one; the king of Jokneam in Carmel, one; 23 the king of Dor in Naphath-dor, one; the king of Goiim in Galilee, one; 24 the king of Tirzah, one: in all, thirty-one kings. Joshua 12:9-24 – By a few names in, how many of you began to just skim over all the names that were hard to read? See these were all the kings that God, through Joshua, defeated for Israel. 31 kings, but also 31 kings with armies of trained soldiers and fortified cites. For Joshua, this wouldn’t have been a simple list of hard to read names, but of hard fought battles where he was able to see God provide. How often do we though look over all the past battles we’ve fought and found victory over? We have a list of dozens of times where God provided victory for us, but we skim over all that and don’t dwell on just how faithful God can be in a fight. Let’s take time today to look back over the ways God has come through for us. Our God is a God that provides victory and calls us to remember His faithful provision. Each story is like one of these kings for Joshua, it has attached memories of God’s faithfulness. Choose this day to dwell, not skim, over the memory of God’s faithfulness to you. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2471
Chapter 13
Yet the people of Israel did not drive out the Geshurites or the Maacathites, but Geshur and Maacath dwell in the midst of Israel to this day. Joshua 13:13 – What’s something that you’ve grown comfortable with that shouldn’t be there? Is there someone at your school being treated poorly by others and you’ve gotten used to just watching it happen? Is there a way you think about yourself that you know doesn’t match up with how God wants you to see yourself? Is there someone you have kept yourself from forgiving? What happens when we let something stay around that shouldn’t stay around is it begins the fester. It grows and infects other things around it causing problems that should have never been there. How then do we make sure that doesn’t happen? Remove what needs to be removed now rather than later. Whatever you haven’t been doing that you know God has directed you to do, do it. Don’t let these things fester within your life and witness. You’re called for so much more than to be held back by things that aren’t meant to even be in your life. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac
Joshua 13 Daily DEVO Now Joshua was old and advanced in years, and the Lord said to him, “You are old and advanced in years, and there remains yet very much land to possess.” Joshua 13:1 – God is well aware of the things that could cause us to have difficulties doing the mission He’s called us to. Here Joshua was needing to lead Israel deeper into enemy territory and take what God had given them, but his age and all that comes with old age was making it difficult for him to do that. God though wasn’t blind to all that and provided. God isn’t blind to your limitations either and He knows what you need to fulfill the mission He’s called you to. So know if God sends you He’ll provide for you. He’ll take care of filling in the gap, we just need to add what we have to what He’s called us to. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1177
Joshua 13 – Pastor Mac Daily DEVO …all the inhabitants of the hill country from Lebanon to Misrephoth-maim, even all the Sidonians. I myself will drive them out from before the people of Israel. Only allot the land to Israel for an inheritance, as I have commanded you. Joshua 13:6 – The chapter begins with God acknowledging to Joshua just how old Joshua had become over these many years of conquest. Yet, land still remained to possess and while Joshua may have been advanced in years, he still had his mission to accomplish. God, knowing the age and limitation of Joshua, made it clear though in our verse He would handle the driving out of the peoples, Joshua simply needed to allot the land to Israel. Now was there still big decisions to be made by Joshua and even difficulties to face, for sure, but God provided exactly what Joshua needed to accomplish His calling. For us today let’s be aware that God is aware of our limitations too. He sees our age, our health, our knowledge, and our experience. Yet sometimes we can find ourselves called to something that doesn’t seem to match up with “us” and our limitations. Again, know God is aware of you, and if He is calling you to something beyond what you alone can do, have faith that He’ll take care of those pieces just like He did for Joshua. God will often call us to things bigger than ourselves so greater works can be done for Him and greater glory can be given to Him. Trust that the Lord will provide for how He calls. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2472
Chapter 14
The people of Israel did as the Lord commanded Moses; they allotted the land. Joshua 14:5 – Isn’t it easy to do as the Lord commands when it clearly benefits you? See the Israelites followed God at this time but the command they were given was to give land out to people. It would be like for you God commanding you to take $1000 dollars. You’d have no problem being faithful to follow God then right? I wouldn’t blame you, I’d be right there with you! The struggle comes when the command isn’t so clearly a blessing for us. What if it were to give $1000 dollars away instead? See suddenly it isn’t as easy to follow God anymore. What we must remember in our life of following God is there will be times of receiving yet also times of letting go. God though promises to work all things for our good so don’t take the letting go parts as a punishment. Sometimes the biggest blessing comes when we pour out what we have. Trust that God in whichever stage you’re in, receiving or giving, loves you and is for you. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac
Joshua 14 Daily DEVO But my brothers who went up with me made the heart of the people melt; yet I wholly followed the Lord my God. Joshua 14:8 – Which will be said of you when it comes to the people that surround you? Will the influence you have on them be one that just echos their fears and worries, not helping them step into the promise that God gave them? Or will your faithful pursuit of Jesus be something for them to observe and learn from on how their life could possibly be lived out? We must accept the truth that our being in someone else’s story is going to do one of two things; help their walk with God or not. My encouragement for you today is to dwell on how you can be more of a help to those around you in their walk yet also be thinking about how possibly parts of your life could be not helping. Accept the truth you play a role in other’s walk with God. Make it a positive one. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1178
Joshua 14 – Pastor Mac Daily DEVO The people of Israel did as the Lord commanded Moses; they allotted the land. Joshua 14:5 – As I read over this chapter this morning, I also read a note that I had written in my Bible next to the verse and it went as follows…It’s easy to follow God when you’re receiving, but will you follow His lead when things are being taken away? For in our passage today the “doing as the Lord commanded” was dividing up and giving out land. Imagine God commanding you to accept a million dollars, the struggle to follow God’s command in that wouldn’t be too hard, and that’s what’s happening here with Israel. Yet, as we well know, following God isn’t always “being commanded to take a million dollars.” Sometimes the command is to let go or to leave. Sometimes we are called to step away from a job we love or even let a relationship end. We can even find ourselves having something we love taken from us without us even getting a chance to voice our opinion on the matter. In our following of God there will be times of receiving greatly and times of giving great things away. Are we willing to praise him and follow Him and serve Him in both times? While that’s a question that can only be answered fully when a time of giving away is taking place, we can still choose today to follow Him regardless of the season we are in. Know whether the season is one of blessing or loss, God is worth our following. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2473
Chapter 15
When she came to him, she urged him to ask her father for a field. And she got off her donkey, and Caleb said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Give me a blessing. Since you have given me the land of the Negeb, give me also springs of water.” And he gave her the upper springs and the lower springs. Joshua 15:18-19 – What we see here is a father who has already given to his daughter, but willingly offers more to her when she asked. As generous as this is, your heavenly Father far exceeds this example of generosity. God not only wants to give you eternal life, but life at its fullest while still you’re alive. Don’t let the discouragements in life shade your view on God’s generosity. While His generosity may not always come in ways we expect, it comes in the perfect ways we need it. Sometimes those perfect ways will come through the not so perfect times. Just know you have such a loving, giving Father in your God. He wants nothing more than your life to be full, but that filling may come in times that are draining. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac
Joshua 15 Daily DEVO The allotment for the tribe of the people of Judah according to their clans reached southward to the boundary of Edom, to the wilderness of Zin at the farthest south. Joshua 15:1 – This whole chapter is detailing the range of land that Judah received as their own. We read about all these cities we have never heard of and landmarks that don’t really mean too much to us to our daily lives. So what value is reading all this? We see that the promise God made to them long ago wasn’t just some fuzzy, non-realistic, non-tangible thing. It became something that had life, had borders, had dimensions. It became a reality that they actually got to step into. So is it with the promises God has made to you. They aren’t just some fuzzy, feel good words that will never truly be something you step into. They are words that we can bank our life on coming true and have confidence that we will step into someday what He has promised us. Have faith that if Joshua got to step into what God promised Him you will too. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1179
Joshua 15 – Pastor Mac Daily DEVO But the Jebusites, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the people of Judah could not drive out, so the Jebusites dwell with the people of Judah at Jerusalem to this day. Joshua 15:63 – We’ll see more of this in Joshua, and even in Judges 1, where the people of God “couldn’t” drive out the people in the land. We’ll see reasons given like because some had iron chariots, or they were just too strong, but more than likely the real reason was there wasn’t a full dependence on what God could do. If God could do all the things He had done up to that point, I believe He could take care of an iron chariot. We too are going to face our own “iron chariots.” Things too big for us to handle yet things God is telling us to remove from our life. On the surface the command seems impossible and unloving. Clearly this thing is too much for us to handle, but we’re commanded to handle it. Why would God give such a command? Because He longs for us to open our eyes to the truth that with Him all things are possible. Yes we are called to handle this, but His call is to handle it with him. To let God bring His power and might into the situation and handle the things that we can’t. Never is God going to command us to do something that He isn’t planning on helping with however He we need it. Today then what’s an “iron chariot” in your story? What is something that God has directed you to get rid of but it has been just too hard for you on your own to get rid of? Whatever that is, that is what God is desiring you to come to Him with for help. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2474
Chapter 16
The people of Joseph, Manasseh and Ephraim, received their inheritance. Joshua 16:4 – This passage to us seems like a simple stating of a fact, but to the people of Joseph this was the fulfillment of a long awaited promise. Think about it all…after forty years of wandering in the desert, stepping into foreign lands and having to battle your way through it all, and now finally what you’ve waited and fought so hard for actually comes. What we see is that we have a God that doesn’t fail to keep His promises to us. Yes in the process of the fulfillment of those promises it might take awhile and a good amount of our own working, know that God always comes through. So whatever promise you are holding unto that God has made to you through scripture, know He will never let you down. Pray for patience and understanding because there may be some “wandering in the wilderness” for you as well, but know God always comes through on the promises He makes. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac
Joshua 16 Daily DEVO However, they did not drive out the Canaanites who lived in Gezer, so the Canaanites have lived in the midst of Ephraim to this day but have been made to do forced labor. Joshua 16:10 – What’s your reasoning for not driving out what God has told you to remove from your story? What we learn from this passage is if we don’t remove it when God says to remove it, we will have to make room for it in the next chapter of our life. Some things though shouldn’t be in our next chapter. Some things in the next chapter won’t be in your story because the space in your life that they would have taken is filled up with the old things God told you to remove that you didn’t. Our letting go of these things opens space for the new blessings God wants to place in our story. Our holding on says to God we are content and aren’t interested in the blessings He wants to give us. Let go when God says to let go. Drive out when God says to drive out. If we don’t, we’ll miss the better blessing God had planned for us to help us grow. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1180
Joshua 16 – Pastor Mac Daily DEVO The people of Joseph, Manasseh and Ephraim, received their inheritance. Joshua 16:4 – We are in the part of Joshua where each tribe of Israel is getting outlined what land in the promise land will be theirs. Here we see Manasseh and Ephraim getting their lands, but what’s unique about this is that Manasseh and Ephraim were children of Joseph, not Joseph’s dad Jacob. All the other tribes were children of Jacob, Manasseh and Ephraim would have been grandchildren of Jacob. Why then were they being included here in the allotment of lands when no other grandkids did? When you unpack Genesis 48 you learn that Joseph, even though not the firstborn, received the blessing of firstborn which included a double portion of inheritance from Jacob. Due to the faithfulness of Jospeh and the sins of the older brothers, Jospeh was blessed by Jacob and God with this double portion of land in the promise land. Why I bring up all those historical pieces is to show how God truly does bring blessing as a result of our faithfulness to Him. When a follower of God is truly seeking to follow the Lord, they can be assured the Lord sees this and will bless that walk. Now that may not mean blessing financially, new cars, or private jets, but blessing nevertheless. Blessing like joy in seasons of trial. Blessings on your children and your children’s children. Blessings of opportunities to share the gospel. See for Jospeh, he didn’t walk into the promise land with the nation of Israel for he lived close to 500 years prior to this time. Yet centuries later God is still blessing, and so will God in our story. Choose then today to live faithfully after God. Not because of the blessings, but knowing full well that God does bless those that pursue Him. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2475
Chapter 17
Then allotment was made to the people of Manasseh… Joshua 17:1a – It’s too easy to get frustrated with God when you see others receiving their blessing before you. Like them, you’ve been waiting, maybe even longer than they have, and maybe you’ve even been working harder than they have been. Still what you see is God blessing them and you still in the waiting period. What you must remember, and what this passage tells us, is that God doesn’t forget about those who follow Him. Yes, we may see those around us receiving their blessing before us and we may have the temptation to be frustrated and discouraged because of that, but remember their receiving of their blessing doesn’t cancel out the receiving of your blessing. God has enough at His disposal to bless them and you. Trust He understands His timing and be faithful to Him till your time comes. Just know He has not forgotten about you. I love you, but Jesus loves you more -Mac
Joshua 17 Daily DEVO And Joshua said to them, “If you are a numerous people, go up by yourselves to the forest, and there clear ground for yourselves in the land of the Perizzites and the Rephaim, since the hill country of Ephraim is too narrow for you.” Joshua 17:15 – The blessing of God for them was right at their fingertips, but in order for them to have it they would have to put something into the process. They were going to have to work at clearing the land and were going to have to face strong enemies who had tools they didn’t possess. It was theirs for the taking, but it was going to require some work from them. Much is it the same with us. While the promise of eternal life with God doesn’t cost us anything, that’s all on Jesus, stepping into the mission will cost us. It will cost us our comfort, our preferences, and even our lives. What though comes out of giving up all that is a prize worth fighting for, people coming to know about Jesus. Stepping into your purpose in life will cost you, but the result of seeing people step into the promise land that you’ve already stepped into makes it all worth it. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1181
Joshua 17 – Pastor Mac Daily DEVO The people of Joseph said, “The hill country is not enough for us. Yet all the Canaanites who dwell in the plain have chariots of iron, both those in Beth-shean and its villages and those in the Valley of Jezreel.” Joshua 17:16 – For context, Joshua is now again giving out which section of the promise land goes to which tribe for their new home. Joshua lays out the area for the people of Joseph (Manasseh and Ephraim), and the immediate response is “not good enough.” Reasons were given like we’re just too big for that small area or the people there are tough and we can beat them. Joshua remains unwavering in decision, but makes it clear that in order for this land amount to work for them, effort from their end to clear the land of what’s in it was needed. It was enough, but work was still needed. As we serve the Lord and takes steps of following Him, often we will find ourselves exactly where we prayed for and desired for so long to be at. In a relationship, in a job, with a kid, in a new place, etc. And while exactly what we prayed for, there may still be a load of struggle to face within it. For the people of Joseph they found themselves in the promise land being handed their share of land, but even the promise didn’t come absent of effort to take hold of. Don’t be shocked, confused, or bewildered then when the promise you prayed for isn’t as easy to exist in as you thought. It’s not that you messed up and are being punished and it’s not that you went the wrong direction. You very well may be exactly where God wants you, yet even there we’ll find struggle. Of course pray and seek direction and discernment on if this is truly God’s path. If though the answer is this is where God wants you, lean on Him for help to clear the land of those chariots and trees. It may not be easy, but it is where God has called you too, and He will help you every step of the way. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2476
Chapter 18
There remained among the people of Israel seven tribes whose inheritance had not yet been apportioned. So Joshua said to the people of Israel, “How long will you put off going in to take possession of the land, which the Lord, the God of your fathers, has given you? Joshua 18:2-3 – What if what you’ve been waiting for is already here? See the tribes that didn’t have land didn’t have it yet because they hadn’t taken it yet. This land wasn’t just something they hoped they’d have someday whenever God got around to giving them land; He’d already given it to them, they just hadn’t taken it yet. I wonder how often that’s the case for you? Maybe you’re praying for a change in life but the joy you need to have a changed perspective on life is already available to you. Maybe you’re waiting for God to answer a prayer, but He actually already has it just came in a way you refused to accept. As we have seen these past couple days, sometimes it does take awhile for us to finally get to step into our blessing. Yet as we see today maybe that blessing has already came and we just are looking to inwardly that we haven’t taken hold of what God has been doing on the outside for us. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac
Joshua 18 Daily DEVO Provide three men from each tribe, and I will send them out that they may set out and go up and down the land. They shall write a description of it with a view to their inheritances, and then come to me. Joshua 18:4 – What God has given you is laying out in front of you as the land was for the people of Israel. Here Joshua is sending out men to examine the land and write up a description of all that they see so they can easily divide it up for the people. What would be on your list if you stopped to write down what God has prepared and given you? Look around you now and see what’s He given you. For me I see my Bible, a goldendoodle underneath my legs, my house I prayed for so long for, and my wife that I don’t and will never deserve. On top of all that I have life, forgiveness, peace, purpose, and joy all in Jesus. My list of all that God has given me is long and so is yours. Let’s not forget to check out that list often to remind ourselves that God is a good Father, that He loves us, and that He has never and will never forget about us. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1182
Joshua 18 – Pastor Mac Daily DEVO Then the whole congregation of the people of Israel assembled at Shiloh and set up the tent of meeting there. The land lay subdued before them. Joshua 18:1 – Take a moment to visualize this with me. After years of conquest, the land is mostly clear of enemies. They safely set up their place of worship and the wholeness of the people of Israel gather together. They are able to worship the Lord in peace. They are in their promise land. After all their toils, rest and peace is found. These moments don’t come super often, but when they do, latch on to those victories. For you it may look like the family laughing hard around a dinner table together, but it’s after some pretty hard fought battles. I’ve had these moments at youth camp seeing our kids at the end of the week lifting their hands in worship, but it came after all the struggles that is ministry. You may have been fighting some heavy battles, but whenever that time of victory and peace comes beyond the battles, take it in a celebrate that blessing from the Lord. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2477
Chapter 19
The inheritance of the people of Simeon formed part of the territory of the people of Judah. Because the portion of the people of Judah was too large for them, the people of Simeon obtained an inheritance in the midst of their inheritance. Joshua 19:9 – What do you do with your leftovers? Often it’s easy to forget about them and just leave them in the fridge too long till they’re no longer good. As common as that is, I feel like we have other types of leftovers that we let go to waste as well. See in our passage Judah had too much land (leftover) and gave some of it to Simeon who needed some. What if we were more intentional to share our extra than just let it go to waste? Say you have an extra evening this week with no plans, why not share it with someone in your church you know will be spending it alone. Say you have an extra chair this year at your family thanksgiving dinner, who could you invite that could really use a family dinner? Sure, we could let that no-plans-evening be filled with Netflix, and that chair stay empty, but why not share that extra you have with someone who needs it. Be creative. God has blessed you with so much, what leftovers do you have that someone around you could really use? I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac
Joshua 19 Daily DEVO …and Kattath, Nahalal, Shimron, Idalah, and Bethlehem—twelve cities with their villages. Joshua 19:15 – Zebulan got 12 cities. Benjamin got 14. Naphtali got 19 and Asher got 22! Was God being unfair in the distribution of His blessing; loving and favoring certain tribes more than others? Or did God know the different needs of the different tribes and provide uniquely for each one? When we see our neighbor be blessed by God greater than us it’s easy to think we are being forgotten by God or less favored by Him. Know this isn’t the case, God just knows deeply the needs of both you and your neighbor, knows exactly when and how you need them, and has plans to provide for both. That provision may just come in different ways. Don’t let the presence of another person’s blessing create doubt in your mind of God’s deep passion for you. While your blessing will look different and will come often at a different time, God is going to take care of you always. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1183
Joshua 19 – Pastor Mac Daily DEVO The inheritance of the people of Simeon formed part of the territory of the people of Judah. Because the portion of the people of Judah was too large for them, the people of Simeon obtained an inheritance in the midst of their inheritance. Joshua 19:9 – When giving out the lands, the tribe of Simeon found their land right in the middle of tribe of Judah’s land. Imagine an island surrounded by water, this was Simeon’s land surrounded by Judah’s land. This was for a couple reasons. First we learn that the land was too big for Judah to protect, so Simeon could help. As you dig deeper though we also see at least one of the incidents of unfaithfulness in the journey to the promise land had their start with the tribe of Simeon (Numbers 25:14). While this is me just speculating, I wonder if God designed it this way to surround Simeon with his brother tribe to help them remain faithful. They had demonstrated in the past a tendency to walk away, now God is surrounding them with support to keep them on the right path. Again, I’m not sure if that was the motive behind this move from the Lord to put Simeon in the midst of Judah, but we do see God placing people in the midst of each other to support each other. Moses having Aaron, David having Jonathan, the twelve apostles having each other, and the church being called to gather together are just a few examples of this. While sinless, Jesus does know the heaviness of sin and just how tempting it can be. Jesus will then seek to surround us with faithful people and will direct us to find ourselves in community to support our faithful walk. Find yourself today somehow in the midst of God’s people. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2478
Chapter 20
These were the cities designated for all the people of Israel and for the stranger sojourning among them, that anyone who killed a person without intent could flee there, so that he might not die by the hand of the avenger of blood, till he stood before the congregation. Joshua 20:9 – As we can see from this passage, these cities of refuge were put in place for those who killed someone accidentally to run to for safety. What about those who killed purposefully? What about those who broke the law knowingly? What about the people that completely turned and did what was opposite of God’s way? What did God do for those people? He sent His own Son to die in their place so He could have the chance to be reunited with them again. For all of us who fall into the category of knowingly going opposite of God’s ways, God set up a city of refuge for us in Christ. We can run to Him for safety and forgiveness. In Him we can find life after our sin. Are you turning to your city of refuge or are you still running trying to find forgiveness somewhere it can never be found at? I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac
Joshua 20 Daily DEVO And if the avenger of blood pursues him, they shall not give up the manslayer into his hand, because he struck his neighbor unknowingly, and did not hate him in the past. Joshua 20:5 – Sometimes the hurt we feel from someone was on accident. It’s so easy to assume they had malicious intent with what they said or how they reacted, but in actuality they may have had no such intent behind it. Let’s make a habit of speaking with and seeking clarity on situations like this, especially when it comes to brothers and sisters in Christ. Scripture is so strong on the importance of healthy relationships between Christians to where Jesus even said if we are in the middle of giving an offering to God and remember we had an issue with a brother, drop the offering and go mend that relationship. Always value peace and unity and pursue that in relationships. Don’t just assume that someone meant to hurt you, be willing to seek out the true intent behind their action or words. If Jesus died so we could find peace with Him, maybe we can suffer some awkward conversations to find peace in our relationships. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1184
Joshua 20 – Pastor Mac Daily DEVO These were the cities designated for all the people of Israel and for the stranger sojourning among them, that anyone who killed a person without intent could flee there, so that he might not die by the hand of the avenger of blood, till he stood before the congregation. Joshua 20:9 – Our chapter today is when the cities of refuge that God directed Moses long ago to set up are finally able to be established in the promise land. As we learn even from the verse above, these cities were designed for those who accidently killed someone could escape to and find protection from whoever may be chasing them to avenge the person who was killed. Yet what about those who intentionally killed? We learn from scripture how God directed the people back then to handle such individuals, and the result was death. Think though now to our story and our sin. “Accidently” or “unintentional” can’t be used honestly when we describe the sin in our story. We purposefully and intentionally have chosen to sin against God again and again and again. There shouldn’t be a “city of refuge” for someone like you and me…yet there is, and His name is Jesus. While we have chosen to sin, God allowed Jesus to take the punishment of our sin so we can be found clear of any guilt. Now instead of running to escape punishment, we can run to the Father for love, joy, rest, and salvation. Praise Jesus that we have a refuge like our God. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2479
Chapter 21
So by command of the Lord the people of Israel gave to the Levites the following cities and pasturelands out of their inheritance. Joshua 21:3 – The Levites were a special part of nation of Israel. They were the family that was chosen to be the ones who were in charge of all the temple workings. Their inheritance from God was getting to be the priest for the whole nation. That said though, they still needed land to live in and grow their families. Where did that land come from? The other families gave up some of their land to them. We see a clear example of the church as a whole offering up of some of what they have to the church so those who have dedicated their lives to the church can have what they need too. For you today, what can you give to the church to help out those like your pastors who have dedicated their lives to the ministry work of God? Yes money is needed, but what other ways as well? Could you give up a minute of your time to encourage your pastor? Could you give up an hour each Sunday to actually be at church (that means more to them than you know)? Your pastors have given up so much to give to you; what do you have that can encourage them in their walk and ministry? I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac
Joshua 21 Daily DEVO Not one word of all the good promises that the Lord had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass. Joshua 21:45 – Here we see one reason why it’s so vital that Christians stay consistent in their study of God’s Word and why we need to be active in other believer’s lives. We get to see how God comes through on what He promises. With scripture we get to see right in front of us the journey those in the past have taken with God and read all about how God came through for them. With relationships with believers we get to hear and see firsthand how God is working today among people. This is so key to have in your story when you are in the moments of waiting to see the provision come through. Let the testimony of scripture and the testimony of other believers encourage you to trust that God never fails at coming through on what He promises. Lean into these reminders of that truth while you wait for God to show you Himself how true this is within your current situation. I love you, but Jesus love you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1185
Joshua 21 – Pastor Mac Daily DEVO And to the descendants of Aaron the priest they gave Hebron, the city of refuge for the manslayer, with its pasturelands, Libnah with its pasturelands…Joshua 21:13 – In the previous chapter we are listed out the six cities that became cities of refuge for the manslayer within Israel. These were cities that someone could run to if they accidently killed someone and was seeking sanctuary and a fair trial. In today’s chapter we are seeing the cities given to the Levites, the tribe set apart for the duties of worship and the work of the Lord in the temple. As you look though the cities listed, all six of the cities of refuge are given over to the Levites. What this would mean is the tribe who was set apart for the work of the Lord was to be the place those in trouble could run to. How deeply does this connect with our roles today in this world? Every follower of Jesus has been set apart for His holy work. One massive part to our role as Christians is to be a place those who are seeking to escape sin can run to and find direction and help from. While we aren’t their Savior and we can’t free, justify, or save them, we do know Jesus and can guide them to Him. Be today a place those in sin can turn to for help. That may take laying down our prides and judgements, and that may mean forgiving some people who have hurt us. Our posture should not be a city with high walls and closed gates to those seeking refuge, but open doors and arms welcoming those seeking help. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2480
Chapter 22
Today we know that the Lord is in our midst, because you have not committed this breach of faith against the Lord. Now you have delivered the people of Israel from the hand of the Lord. Joshua 22:31b – There was almost a war between brothers in the faith because one brother heard rumors about the other and began to act on those rumors without first talking with the other brother. Thankfully though the brother nations here actually talked it out because the rumors were wrong and things were misunderstood. How often though can we make the mistake of acting on rumors or our perspective of things before actually talking it out with the other person? While confronting the person you’re upset with isn’t easy or desirable, the relationship you have with them is worth the uncomfortable talk. Don’t let rumors that other people have spread or your one-sided perspective on things tear a part a relationship that God wants together. Follow the lead scripture gives us here and talk things out. You might come to find the person you thought was against you is actually on your side. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac
Joshua 22 Daily DEVO And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest said to the people of Reuben and the people of Gad and the people of Manasseh, “Today we know that the Lord is in our midst, because you have not committed this breach of faith against the Lord. Now you have delivered the people of Israel from the hand of the Lord.” Joshua 22:31 – A few days ago we had a devotion much like today’s, meaning scripture must be telling us to really hear something! That communication is vital for the health of relationships between Christians. Our passage today revolves around a war almost starting between the tribes of Israel all because part of the tribes heard about something done and made assumptions before ever talking it through with the other side. They were ready to wipe their brothers out because they THOUGHT they did something wrong, which wasn’t the case at all. Brothers and sisters in Christ, please talk with each other before making assumptions about the other’s actions or words. You could so easily destroy a relationship God blessed you with over a misunderstanding. Be the one that fights for a relationship rather than the one that cuts ties before ever seeking out the truth. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1186
Joshua 22 – Pastor Mac Daily DEVO Thus says the whole congregation of the Lord, “What is this breach of faith that you have committed against the God of Israel in turning away this day from following the Lord by building yourselves an altar this day in rebellion against the Lord?” Joshua 22:16 – The 2.5 tribes that chose to settle on the other side of the Jordan, apart from the other tribes, were finally able to go home and settle for the promise land had been taken over by Israel. Yet on the way home they created an altar, and while their intentions were good, the rest of the tribes thought they were turning away from the Lord. Our verse today comes from the mouth of a handful of leaders who chose to visit the 2.5 tribes and confront/question them about this breach of faith. As I read this story, I wonder how often we’d have the courage to do this. That when we got word of or saw another follower of Jesus turning to sin that we’d be willing to confront/question like this this. This shouldn’t be done in a prideful, mean, or judgmental way, and I’m not encouraging us to do that either, but if we saw sin in our brother’s life would we say anything? For how the next verse in the passage starts truly says it all…”Have we not had enough of the sin…” If then you see your brother or sister in Christ taking a step away from the faith, take a step into their story. Maybe what you’re seeing isn’t a sinful move, like we see in our passage, but maybe it is. Care enough about them to step in. If sin is our enemy’s tool to steal, kill, and destroy us, then let’s love our neighbor enough to step in when we see a pursuit of sin taking place in their life. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2481
Chapter 23
Be very careful, therefore, to love the Lord your God. Joshua 23:11 – In the middle of God’s blessing can be the times we are most tempted to walk away from Him. This is why as the passage states we need to be careful to make sure we are continuing to choose to love God with our life. See for the people Joshua was speaking this to, they had received all that God had promised to them and were comfortable in their blessing. Yet all around them were still neighboring lands with other “gods” they could be tempted to worship. What Joshua knew, and what God knew, was that while they are now in this promised land, they now had more temptations than ever to walk away from God and follow after something else. This can easily be the case for us. As we continue to set our lives after what God wants us to, our enemy will surround us with temptations that weren’t there before. We just have to be careful to not stop loving God with our lives by choosing to follow after one of these temptations. Temptations to stop living for God will always be there and even grow as we follow God more deeply with our lives. Yet if God helped you conquer your past struggles with temptations, He can help you with whatever may come up in the future if you continue to lean on Him. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac
Joshua 23 Daily DEVO Be very careful, therefore, to love the Lord your God. Joshua 23:11 – If you’re taking some kids on a nature hike and come across a cliff edge, when the kids want to approach the edge what do you say? Be careful! Why? Because it’s so easy to be careless and not be thinking about the edge and they could find themselves getting hurt. Here this is the message Joshua was telling his people and God is telling us. Be careful to love God. Be careful because it’s so easy to be careless about it and find ourselves going throughout the day and throughout our life not thinking about Him or how we can be living for Him. It’s so easy for us to slip off the edge and find ourselves living a life that’s only about us and not about Him. Be careful then, be watchful and thoughtful on how you are living your life today. Are you at the center of it or God? Is your agenda the one getting accomplished or God’s? Let the closing of this day, and everyday, be filled with the confidence that it was about God and about loving Him with our life. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1187
Joshua 23 – Pastor Mac Daily DEVO Therefore, be very strong to keep and to do all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, turning aside from it neither to the right hand nor to the left, 7 that you may not mix with these nations remaining among you or make mention of the names of their gods or swear by them or serve them or bow down to them, 8 but you shall cling to the Lord your God just as you have done to this day. Joshua 23:6-8 – It’s been years since the division of land, Joshua’s death is soon, and he gathers all the people together once again to share his heart for the nation. His message: remain faithful to the Lord. Don’t turn, don’t mix with other nations, don’t even mention their gods by name. Joshua knew that a full turn away may not happen immediately, but if the people slowly started to let these nations and their false gods mix in with them, the gradual turn away from the Lord would begin. We too need to be wise with how we handle sinful things. Sure, an immediate cannonball into sinful behavior may not happen today, but if we allow things that lead to sin to mix into our story, we too can find ourselves gradually turning away from the Lord. Maybe it looks like allowing a certain person in your life, who isn’t a believer, be a voice you let direct how you see the world. Possibly this could look like finding yourself spending more time alone online then you used to or putting off studying scripture another day. Small, and maybe not sinful in itself, but it is allowing sinful behaviors to “mix” into the pace of your life. Be wise then what you allow to mix in with your story. Let’s fill our life with things that will encourage our steady walk with Jesus. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2482
Chapter 24
But Joshua said to the people, “You are not able to serve the Lord, for he is a holy God. He is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions or your sins. Joshua 24:19 – Joshua isn’t here telling the people it’s impossible to serve God and find forgiveness, he just wants them to know the seriousness of their choice to follow God. That following God isn’t just a simple saying that you follow Him, God requires us being all in. If we think that we can find this relationship with God we need by just saying we have Jesus rather than just actually giving ourselves over to His leadership and commands this is where Joshua’s words “you are not able to serve the Lord” comes in. In order for us to serve Him and be with Him, it’s coming to God His way and giving ourselves wholly to Him. So how have to come to God? Was is just in word saying you follow him but no actions have followed it? Was is trying to get to Him through your own ways rather than through Jesus? We will never be able to serve God and be in relationship with Him by just as simple passing of words like “oh yeah, I’m a Christian.” Do you really follow Him? Have you chosen for your life to follow Him with all that you have and given yourself wholly to Him? That’s when we’ll be able to serve Him. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac
Joshua 24 Daily DEVO And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15 – We have to make a choice who we’re going to serve, but what do we look at to determine what’s best to give our life to? Here Joshua lays out clearly how God provided for their ancestors in Egypt and even further back. Then he shows how God has been the one providing every step of the way in this current journey they’ve been on. For us we don’t only have the massive amount of stories of scripture to give us proof that God is the right choice on who to serve, we have our own journey as a testimony of that truth. We can look back and see clearly that “it was not by your sword or by your bow” that got us through our struggles, it was all God. So today when your choosing who you’re going to serve today examine what God did for the people in scripture, examine what He’s done in the lives of those around you, and examine what He’s done in your own story. If all of that convinces you He’s unworthy of your service then make your choice accordingly, but that’s never going to be the outcome you come away with. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1188
Joshua 24 – Pastor Mac Daily DEVO And I sent the hornet before you, which drove them out before you, the two kings of the Amorites; it was not by your sword or by your bow. 13 I gave you a land on which you had not labored and cities that you had not built, and you dwell in them. You eat the fruit of vineyards and olive orchards that you did not plant. Joshua 24:12-13 – If I did my counting correctly, in this first section of the chapter the word “I” is used 18 times. God is speaking and reminding the people exactly what He did for them up to this point. I took Abraham, I gave Jacob, I sent, I did, I brought, I destroyed, I delivered. God is making it clear that He was the one that did everything. Which meant it wasn’t by the power of the people this happened, nor by the power of any idol they were worshipping that brought all this about for them. It was God alone. As we look back at our story, I wonder how many situations God would point out and say “I” did that. I brought you out of that season, I provided for you when you had nothing, I kept you safe in the storm, I gave you life. When we give God the credit for such things in our story, it’s nearly impossible not to worship Him. For when we acknowledge it wasn’t our power or wisdom, nor the power of any other creation that got us to where we are today, it makes that choice of us and our house serving the Lord much easier. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2483
Daily DEVO 