Following our glorious God

New Guest: Like this one, most posts are devotional; those related to CAR BIZ can be found by searching the blog archives for that title. You might start with 'Welcome,' the first post, dated November 12, 2008, where I introduce myself and the blog. As you read, I encourage you to record any reflections or comments you may have, for the entries here serve best as the first remarks in a conversation.

Blessings and best wishes,
Dr. Will

Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Devotions: Ps 45, 47, 48; Josh 8:1-22; Rom 14:1-12; Mt 26:47-56

My pen overflows with inspiration, as I address my verses to the King: Fairest of the sons of men, grace is lavished on You, and God has blessed You forever. Gird on your sword, Mighty One, and ride forth in glory and majesty. Defend truth and justice. May Your throne endure forever! God has anointed You with the oil of gladness, with the Holy Spirit. The princess awaits her champion, and comes before Him robed in beauty and modesty. With joy and happiness, the King and His consort enter the palace. Let all the earth praise our Lord! Let all clap hands and shout for joy to the God of our salvation. YHWH is King of all the earth. He reigns over all the nations, highly exalted. Consider the beauty of His city, Zion, awesome even to the kings of the earth. This is our God forever and ever!

After Israel had stoned and buried Achan and his household, YHWH directed Joshua to attack Ai a second time, and commanded that the entire city and all its people would be destroyed, though Israel could take the domestic animals as spoils of war. All Israel marched to Ai, and Joshua set an ambush by night. Joshua led a smaller force in an apparent frontal attack at daybreak, and the men of Ai came out from the city, confident that they would again decimate and rout Israel. Joshua’s force fall back before the forces of Ai, leading them further from their city. There was not a man left to defend Ai or Bethel. At YHWH’s direction, Joshua signaled his forces in ambush, and they arose and took the city and set it afire. When the forces of Ai saw their city aflame, they realized their peril. Joshua’s forces turned back and attacked them, and other Israelites came forth from the city and attacked the men of Ai from their rear. The forces of Ai were surrounded and destroyed. They took the king alive and brought him before Joshua.

Paul counseled the Roman Christians: Welcome those who are weak in faith, but don’t argue opinions with them. Let neither those who abstain for conscience’s sake, nor those of strong faith who have no dietary scruples, pass judgment on one another. God welcomes both, and both serve Him. Likewise, one person highly esteems a particular day, while another esteems every day alike. Let each behave according to his own conscience, and let them keep their customs in honor of the Lord. None lives or dies to himself; we live to the Lord, we die to the Lord—and so we belong to the Lord, each and all. This was the purpose for which the Messiah died and rose again—the He might be Lord of both the dead and the living. So: no judging, no despising any who belong to the Lord. We will all face God in judgment, as is written: ‘As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall give praise to God.’ Every person will give account of himself to God!

As Jesus was urging His drowing disciples to awaken, Judas came into Gethsemane accompanied by a large crowd with swords and clubs, sent by the chief priests and elders of the Jews. By prearrangement, Judas walked up to Jesus at once; he said, ‘Hail, Master!’ and kissed Jesus. Jesus said, ‘Friend, why are you here?’ Then the mob seized Jesus. One of Jesus’ disciples drew his sword, and struck off the ear of the high priest’s slave. Jesus said to His follower, ‘Put up your sword! All who take the sword will perish by the sword. Don’t you know that I could appeal to My Father and He would at once send more than twelve legions of angels to defend Me? But if I did that, how would the scriptures be fulfilled that say these things must take place?’ Then Jesus addressed the mob: ‘Have you come out as against a brigand, with swords and clubs to capture Me? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching and you did not seize Me. But all this is taking place that the prophets might be fulfilled.’ Then all the disciples forsook Jesus and fled