One Year Book of Devotions for Men Part 33

TO READ: Joshua 4:1-24

Memorials

aWe will use these stones to build a memorial. In the future, your children will ask, aWhat do these stones mean to you?a Then you can tell them, aThey remind us that the Jordan River stopped flowing when the Ark of the Lordas covenant went across.a These stones will stand as a permanent memorial among the people of Israel.a Joshua 4:6-7

The Vietnam Memorial and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Was.h.i.+ngton remind people of the men and women who lost their lives in the service of their country. In the same way, the Cenotaph in Whitehall, London, brings to remembrance those whose lives were summarily cut short in the cause of protecting and serving their homeland. Sculptures in lands around the world are designed to help people remember the heroes of the past. But it is all too easy for succeeding generations to become so familiar with the memorials that their significance is lost. In most peopleas minds, Memorial Day in America has nothing to do with foreign wars and everything to do with the beginning of summer! But in forgetting our history, we not only overlook the great cost of the benefits we enjoy, but we also may repeat the mistakes of the past which we failed to learn. Memorials have a major purpose.

G.o.d told his ancient people to build memorials at significant times. He wanted them to be able to recall significant events. Few events were more significant to the Israelites than the crossing of Jordan. It marked the end of forty desperately sad years and the beginning of a new eraa"life in the land of ancient promise. So the Lord told Joshua to organize twelve men representing the twelve tribes, who would each take a stone from the middle of Jordan and ause these stones to build a memoriala (Josh. 4:6). The memorial was built to be a reminder: aIn the future, your children will ask, aWhat do these stones mean to you?a Then you can tell them, aThey remind us that the Jordan River stopped flowing when the Ark of the Lordas covenant went acrossaa (4:7). The Lord insisted that succeeding generations not be left in the dark about his dealings with his people.

Good parents not only learn the meaning of memorials and pa.s.s the meaning on, but they also know the value of creating memories in their own families so that children will not grow up ignorant of their heritage. Good parents go out of their way to stimulate the curiosity of their children in the direction of things the children need to learn. And nothing is more important than children growing up to know the Lord! So good parents thank G.o.d for divinely-ordained memorials, like Sunday (the Lordas day to begin each week), and the simple memorial of bread and wine that commemorates the greatest of events. And they pa.s.s on the memories to those who, one day, will pa.s.s them on again.

August 10

TO READ: Joshua 2:1-21; 6:15-25

The Value of One

The city and everything in it must be completely destroyed as an offering to the LORD. Only Rahab the prost.i.tute and the others in her house will be spared, for she protected our spies.a . . . So Joshua spared Rahab the prost.i.tute and her relatives who were with her in the house, because she had hidden the spies Joshua sent to Jericho. And she lives among the Israelites to this day.

Joshua 6:17, 25

The award-winning movie Saving Private Ryan depicts a courageous attempt to save the life of an individual soldier in the heat of a great battle. Complete with dramatic effects and searing portrayals of modern warfare, the movie packs a powerful emotional punch. It has also garnered its critics, who point out that it is highly unlikely that, in the heat of modern warfare, a squad of soldiers would be put at risk to save the life of an individual.

That may be so, but the story of Rahab of Jericho shows that, in G.o.das eyes, the value of one is immense. When Joshuaas spies entered Jericho in order to plan the invasion and capture of the city, they stayed in the home of Rahab, who then saved their lives. At great personal risk, she stood between the spies and those who wanted to do them harm.

Rahabas motivation was clear. She told the spies, aThe Lord your G.o.d is the supreme G.o.d of the heavens above and the earth belowa (2:11). She admitted that the people of Jericho were living in mortal dread of the advancing Israelites, and her actions could have been construed as nothing more than a aconvenient conversiona to save her own skin. But the spies believed her and promised that she and her family would be saved when the city was taken, provided she identified her home clearly by leaving a ascarlet rope hanging from the windowa (2:18).

Rahab did what she was instructed and the Israelites did what they had promised. In the dreadful battle that ensued, as the invaders acharged straight into the city from every side and captured ita and then set about completely destroying it (6:20-21), Rahab and her family were neither forgotten nor overlooked. Somebody was given the task of finding her home in the chaos of battle, fighting through to her side, and physically taking her out of harmas way. Why? Precisely because the men of Israel were men of their word and she was valuable in the Lordas eyes.

How valuable was she? Incredibly, Rahab appears in the genealogy of the Lord Jesus (see Matt. 1:5). Despite her troubled past, both the writer of Hebrews (Heb. 11:31) and James (James 2:25) speak of her as an example of faith at work.

In the heat of battle, individuals are often expendable. In the warm heart of G.o.d, though, individuals are never expendable. Each of us is of infinite worth to him. And in the clas.h.i.+ng strife of modern life, G.o.d never loses sight of those who belong to him.

August 11

TO READ: Joshua 14:1-15

Halfhearted or Wholehearted

aBut my brothers who went with me frightened the people and discouraged them from entering the Promised Land. For my part, I followed the LORD my G.o.d completely. So that day Moses promised me, aThe land of Canaan on which you were just walking will be your special possession and that of your descendants forever, because you wholeheartedly followed the LORD my G.o.d.aa Joshua 14:8-9

As an athletic contest approaches its closing stages and the contestants are neck-and-neck, it is often a matter of who wants it most, of who is the hungriest! If there is nothing to choose between the physical abilities, the conditioning, and the skills of the athletes, the winning edge frequently comes down to a matter of hearta"where desire and determination dwell, where commitment and courage reside.

If heart makes the difference in athletic contests, then it makes a world of difference in spiritual experience. Take Caleb, a man who awholeheartedly followed the Lord [his] G.o.da (Josh. 14:9). At the age of eighty-five, he was still recognized and respected for his commitment. Born in the land of Egypt of parents living in servitude, Caleb had at some point in his life determined to be a wholehearted follower of the Lord. He had plenty of examples of halfhearted followers around him. No doubt a recognition of their ambivalence, married to his convictions about the Lord, had determined for him that nothing less than a complete commitment of life to the Lord was acceptable.

The kind of commitment Caleb had in mind meant that he remained committed in bad times as well as good. It sustained him through the short-term and in the long haul. When others backed off out of fear, he pressed on out of faith. Obstacles that deterred others spurred him on. Promises by G.o.d were to be claimed to the full. He did not ask for help to rid the enemies in his land; he simply asked for a chance to take them on and adrive them out . . . just as the Lord saida (14:12). And when difficulties arose, he was not to be found in the pack but out front, saying his piece and leading his men (see Num. 14:5-9, 24).

It has often been pointed out that there are at least three kinds of men: Those who make things happen; those who watch things happening; and those who ask, aWhat happened?a No prizes need be awarded for recognizing to which group Caleb belonged!

Can a const.i.tutionally halfhearted person become a wholehearted follower of the Lord? If so, what does it take? The answer is this: If G.o.d is who he says he is and can be trusted to do what he had promised, then he is worthy of our loving, trusting obedience. That is the stuff from which wholeheartedness is made.

August 12

TO READ: Joshua 23:1-16

The Danger of Success

aThe LORD has driven out great and powerful nations for you, and no one has yet been able to defeat you. Each one of you will put to flight a thousand of the enemy, for the LORD your G.o.d fights for you, just as he has promised. So be very careful to love the LORD your G.o.d.a Joshua 23:9-11

Yesterdayas victories do not guarantee tomorrowas triumphs. Napoleonas string of victories was stopped at Waterloo, and Hitleras relentless eastward march came to an end in the ruins of Stalingrad. The champions of any sport know that all winning streaks come to an end, and even the most successful salesman knows that one day he will not be able to close the deal.

Sometimes the heady atmosphere of continual victory contributes to the factors that lead to eventual defeat. Appropriate confidence degenerates into unseemly c.o.c.kiness, healthy respect for the opposition hardens into unhealthy disparagement, and careful preparation gives way to careless att.i.tudes and a casual approach.

Joshua, the seasoned general, knew this. His fighting forces had tasted the thrills of victory over an extended period. So toward the end of his life, Joshua reminded the leaders.h.i.+p of Israel, aThe Lord has driven out great and powerful nations for you, and no one has yet been able to defeat youa (Josh. 23:9). The emphasis was on the Lord, so he added, aThe Lord your G.o.d fights for you, just as he has promiseda (23:10). It seems unthinkable that the Israelites, whose victories had been so spectacular that they were unmistakably the work of the Lord, would ever overlook their complete dependence on divine intervention in their affairs. But victorious armies do grow careless, and winning teams do get away from the things that brought them success. Israel was no exception. So, Joshua insisted, aBe very careful to love the Lord your G.o.da (23:11). Winning the war is one thing, maintaining the peace quite another. But the same principle of trusting, obeying, and loving the Lord applies to both.

Joshua had the foresight to recognize that victorious Israel could fall on its face. He recognized that there were still undefeated enemies in their midst who would dearly love to bring Israelas winning streak to an end. So he posited the unthinkable possibility that the day might dawn when the Lord would ano longer drive [the enemies] out,a and he warned that they could become aa snare and a trap to you, a pain in your side and a thorn in your eyes, and you will be wiped out from this good land the Lord your G.o.d has given youa (23:13).

Joshua did not envision that the triumphant Israelite army would suddenly become incompetent, or that their experienced leaders would mysteriously lose their strategic skills. It was more serious than that. He saw a day when the armies might discount the Lord and become so sure of themselves that they would no longer love him and honor him, when they would slide into compromise and lapse into disobedience and head for disaster. Thatas the way to guarantee that yesterdayas victories turn into tomorrowas defeats. It is a way of s.n.a.t.c.hing defeat from the jaws of victory!

August 13

TO READ: Psalm 27

Conversations with the Lord

Listen to my pleading, O LORD. Be merciful and answer me! My heart has heard you say, aCome and talk with me.a And my heart responds, aLORD, I am coming.a Psalm 27:7-8

When Billy Graham was a young evangelist, he was invited to meet with Winston Churchill during the Harringay Crusade in London, the great British wartime leader. He was no doubt surprised and gratified to receive such an invitation. Although he has maintained strict confidentiality concerning the details of his meeting with the Prime Minister, Dr. Graham has spoken about his feelings as he was ushered into the Prime Ministeras residence at 10 Downing Street. In the presence of eminence, the young Graham felt uncertain, perhaps even inadequate.

King David, too, received an invitation one day that delighted him, but which no doubt caused him to feel some uncertainty, too. David records, aMy heart has heard you say, aCome and talk with me.a And my heart responds, aLord, I am comingaa (Ps. 27:8). An invitation to acome and talk witha the Lord! David was totally aware of the eminence and majesty of the Lord, and he needed no one to remind him of his humble origins as a shepherd boy outside Bethlehem. He doubtless had overwhelming feelings of inadequacy as he made his way into the sanctuary to have his talk with the Lord.

But David remembered, aThe Lord is my light and my salvationa"so why should I be afraid? The Lord protects me from dangera"so why should I tremble?a (27:1). David was invited to converse with the one who had repeatedly shown that he was firmly on Davidas side. So he could approach the meeting, not casually or flippantly, but not fearfully or in trepidation either. Quietly and confidently, he could come before the Lord and say what was on his mind.

And what was on his mind? David wanted more than anything else to learn the secret of living in the conscious enjoyment of the Lordas presence. aThe one thing I ask of the Lorda"the thing I seek mosta"is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lordas perfections and meditating in his Templea (27:4). This is an unusual request for a king, a warrior, an active man, a man of the people. But it is a genuine and heartfelt expression of deep spiritual longing for a closer walk with the Lord! David wanted to talk to the Lord about the uncertainties of his life and to seek a.s.surance of the Lordas continued direction, oversight, and protection in his life. aDo not hide yourself from me,a he asked. aTeach me how to live, O Lorda (27:9, 11).

Every man has an open invitation to have a conversation with G.o.d. It is an invitation to open his heart to the Lord and to say what is on his mind! It is a strange man who pa.s.ses on such an invitation.

August 14

TO READ: Ruth 1:14-22

Bitterness and Grace

But Ruth replied, aDonat ask me to leave you and turn back. I will go wherever you go and live wherever you live. Your people will be my people, and your G.o.d will be my G.o.d. . . .a [Naomi told them,] aDonat call me Naomi. Instead, call me Mara, for the Almighty has made life very bitter for me.a Ruth 1:16, 20

Familiarity with spiritual issues over many years can breed disregard for them. The disciplines of spiritual life can become mundane. Then they are neglected and eventually fall into a state of serious disuse. Prayer is forgotten, wors.h.i.+p loses its attraction, and service is burdensome. Estrangement from G.o.das people results. Sometimes a believer of long standing becomes weary of the things of the Lord and wearisome to all around him. By contrast, the new believer is so freshly alive to spiritual reality and so deeply grateful for grace received that he lives joyfully. Prayer is a delight, wors.h.i.+p is a joy, service is a privilege, and fellows.h.i.+p is a treat.

What happens when the long-term believer living a joyless and disconsolate life meets a young believer living in the joy of salvation? This seems to have been the situation in the remarkable relations.h.i.+p between Naomi and Ruth. The older woman, a native of Bethlehem, had left with her family during a severe famine. The family had arrived in the land of Moab (traditionally an inhospitable place for people from Judah) and had apparently settled down there for a period of ten years. During this time, her sons had married Moabite womena"not the sort of thing that was expected of G.o.das people. Then tragedy struck three times: Naomi not only lost her husband but both her sons as well. Deciding that she had nothing left to live for in Moab, and hearing that times were better in Judah, Naomi determined to return to her hometown.

One of Naomias daughters-in-law stayed in Moab. The other, Ruth, accompanied her mother-in-law back to Bethelehem. Ruth was utterly committed to her mother-in-lawas well-being. She even insisted, aYour people will be my people, and your G.o.d will be my G.o.d. May the Lord punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us!a (Ruth 1:16-17). Ruth had become a devoted follower of Jehovah! She had intentionally turned from the wors.h.i.+p of Moabite G.o.ds and had turned to the Lord for salvation. Commitment and compa.s.sion flowed from her hearta"no doubt as a result of her newfound faith.

On arriving in Bethlehem, Naomi refused to answer to her name (which means apleasanta) because, she said, athe Almighty has made life very bitter for mea (1:20). She demanded that henceforth she should be called aMaraa (which means abittera). In essence, Naomi was saying, aHow can you call my life pleasant? Itas been very bitter.a The old-time believer had become sadly embittered by life, while the new believer grew sweeter.

In the community of believers, the ones who have traveled the road longest are supposed to show the way to the new arrivals. Sometimes, though, it works the other way around!

August 15

TO READ: Matthew 1:1-17

Family Tree

Salmon was the father of Boaz (his mother was Rahab). Boaz was the father of Obed (his mother was Ruth). Obed was the father of Jesse.

Matthew 1:5

Not long ago it was customary for families to record their familyas history in a special family Bible. Births, deaths, marriages, and other notable events were noted, and this information served as a great and accurate resource for establis.h.i.+ng a family tree. Unfortunately, with the demise of family devotions in many homes, old family Bibles have gone the way of the dinosaurs. So genealogies are harder to research and preserve.

In ancient times, however, the maintenance of genealogical records was a matter of great importance. This becomes obvious when we read the biblical records. For instance, Ezra the scribe was identified as ason of Seraiah, son of Azariah,a with no less than fourteen other ason ofa statements linking him to the first high priest, Aaron (Ezra 7:1a"5). There was to be no doubt in anyoneas mind that Ezra was a valid member of the priestly fraternity. Similarly, the genealogies of Jesus found in the Gospels are the most important in the Biblea"and in some ways the most surprising. Matthew traced Jesusa earthly family all the way back to Abraham and David, while Luke traced the Savioras human origins all the way to Adam. Matthew was anxious to show that Jesus belonged to the royal line of David, while Luke, with his emphasis of Jesus being a descendant of aAdam [who] was the son of G.o.da (Luke 3:38) is much more universal in outlook. But perhaps the most striking thing about either genealogy is Matthewas inclusion of women. Women rarely appeared in Jewish genealogies, yet Matthew included four of them! Not only that, the four women he included were probably considered Gentiles in their day, and each of them had characteristics that made them less than desirable to traditional Jews. Both Tamar and Rahab were prost.i.tutes, Bathsheba was an adulteress, and Ruth was a Moabitess.

We can only speculate why these four women were included. Perhaps Matthew wanted to demonstrate that G.o.d uses the most unlikely people to work out his plans. Remarkable! As Paul explained to the Corinthians, G.o.d achose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers importanta (1 Cor. 1:28). In the case of Ruth, while she may have come from a despised race and may have been disregarded by many people in her day, she demonstrated a n.o.bility of character that was extraordinary and a faithfulness and a selflessness that were exemplary.

Surely what G.o.d looks for is a person whose heart is right before him, regardless of race, cla.s.s, or even oneas past!

August 16

TO READ: Luke 7:11-17