Daily Reading Week 4

Sunday

Joshua 3

DISCOVER

  • What barrier stood between Israel and the land – 3:1

  • What sign would tell the people when they should go forward

  • How was the ark carried? Why? 

RESPOND

  • Joshua 3 tells us something that is repeated throughout the Bible: What is impossible for men is possible for God. God would reveal to Israel (and to us) the steps that had to be taken to move from grounded to grateful, from stuck in our past to marveling at God’s future. The events recorded in this chapter were a major breakthrough for Israel. That generation learned that their victory was going to totally depend on God. 

monday

Matthew 14

DISCOVER

  • What troubled the disciples on the sea? How did Jesus go to them – 14:24,25?

  • How did the disciples react? What did Jesus say to reassure them – 14:26,27?

  • What did Peter ask to do, and how did Jesus respond – 14:28,29?

  • What happened to Peter, how was he saved, and what did Jesus say – 14:30,31?

RESPOND

  • In Chapter 14 of Matthew we see the Lord coming to his disciples, literally walking on the water, at night in a fierce storm. Understandably the disciples were terrified at first, thinking they were seeing a ghost. After Jesus reassures them, Peter asks Jesus for permission to come out on the water with him and miraculously is able to move across the waves as well. We would miss an important lesson if we focus only on Jesus’ criticism of the little faith of his disciples. Even though Peter’s faith was mixed with doubt and fear it is indeed genuine. He does walk on the water. Many commentators have pointed out that Peter’s faith in this instance is much like ours, small and imperfect, mixed with trust and doubt. God does not wait for a perfect faith though. When Peter’s faith faltered on the water, Jesus extended a hand and saved him. Even after our initial first step of trusting in Christ for our salvation we can expect periods of fear and doubt. In those times we should like Peter, look to Christ to raise us up.

Tuesday

1 Corinthians 11:17-34 

DISCOVER

  • What subject is discussed in 11:17-34?

  • What did Paul do with the messages he received from the Lord – 11:23?

  • What did Jesus do with the bread – 11:24? What is its symbolic meaning?

  • What is “the cup,” and what does it symbolize – 11:25? 

  • What purpose of the Lord’s Supper is described in 11:26? 

RESPOND

  • Our physical bodies cannot survive without the nourishment that we receive from eating and drinking. The use of bread and wine in the Lord’s Supper reminds us that we cannot survive spiritually without the death and resurrection of our Savior. As we partake of the Lord’s Supper we should reflect on how much we need Jesus and the work he has done for us. We proclaim him when we eat and drink in his name, as the passage today indicates. The strength we receive from him spiritually in the sacrament gives us strength to go out and proclaim him to the world. 

wednesday

psalm 42

DISCOVER

  • How do you cope with the kind of discouragement and despair described by the psalmist?

  • What do you long for when you feel overwhelmed?

  • What has God given you to remember his work and presence in your life?

RESPOND

  • In the first and second verse of the 42nd Psalm the psalmist thirsts for God like a deer pants for water. “As a deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God! I thirst for God!” The beauty of this is that the psalmist is not thirsting primarily for relief from the trials he finds himself in or for escape from his enemies. He is remembering the joy of the Lord and pleading for a return to that sweetness. It is not wrong to pray for relief or for deliverance from our trying circumstances. But more important is our desire for God himself. When we meditate on the Psalms, we desire God more and we remember the soul filling satisfaction that only he provides.

Thurdsay

Joshua 8

DISCOVER

  • After the defeat of Ai where did Israel go next? 

  • What did Joshua build? 

  • What did he write on it – 8:30-32?

  • Where did the people stand, and what did Joshua do then – 8:33-35?

RESPOND

  • After the defeat of Jericho and Ai the Israelites had begun to establish a foothold in the land God promised them. The victories were not without loss however. Thirty-six Israelites died in the first battle for Ai because of Achan’s sin. Israel had much to be thankful for but had been reminded of the consequences for not keeping the covenant God had established with them. We see in the passage today that Israel responded with worship. Our worship today continues as a covenant renewal ceremony. When we gather with fellow believers to hear the blessings of the Gospel we commit ourselves again to Jesus and strengthen our trust in him.

friday

joshua 9

DISCOVER

  • What did the people of the land do to deal with Israel – 9:1,2?

  • Who tried to trick Israel – 9:3?

  • What lies did they tell when Joshua questioned them – 9:7-13?

  • What basic error did Israel make that led them to agree to the covenant – 9:14,15?

RESPOND

  • The Israelites were deceived by the Gibeonites because they “did not ask counsel from the Lord” v.9:14. Trusting in our own wisdom usually results in unfortunate consequences. Despite their deception, Joshua and his leaders honored the vow they made. The Gibeonites received unmerited mercy from Israel, and eventually were fully assimilated into Israel. We, like the Gibeonites, do not deserve God’s mercy or his grace. Thank God today that he has overlooked your sin and has accepted you into his family of believers.

saturday

Joshua 10

DISCOVER

  • Where did the five kings hide, and what was at first done about it – 10:16-19? Why?

  • After the battle and before the death of the kings, what symbolic act did Joshua have the captains of Israel do – 10:20-27? 

  • What was the point?

  • What was the final outcome of the war in the south – 10:40-43? What was done to the inhabitants of the cities?

RESPOND

  • The events of Joshua 10 and the way the Caananites raged against God and his people call Psalm 2 to mind. In Psalm 2 the kings of the earth war against the Davidic king. Anyone that believes he can successfully fight God is foolish and invites God’s laughter at his arrogance. The psalm sees its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus, who like Joshua, will put his foot on the necks of his enemies. Some will honor Jesus willingly and find refuge. Others will be forced into submission, but all will ultimately bow.