Let God judge and bless or punish

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

Friday, July 16, 2010
Devotions: Ps 31, 35; Josh 4:19-5:15; Rom 12:9-21; Mt 26:17-25

YHWH, You are my only Refuge; protect me and guide me this day. Into Your hand, like Jesus, I commit my spirit, faithful Lord, my Redeemer. I will rejoice in Your steadfast love; You have kept me functioning, clear of the hatred of my enemies. I sense hostility and terror on every side, but I will not fear or grow weary in doing good. My times are in Your hand; deliver me from my enemies and persecutors. You have saved up abundance for all who trust in You. Blessed be YHWH, for He has wondrously shown His steadfast love to me. Let all who trust in God be strong and take courage! And let YHWH contend with all who contend with me. Let them be put to shame and dishonor; let them be blown away like chaff in the wind. Malicious witnesses accuse me; they giggle at my stumbling. But I will continue to trust in YHWH. Vindicate me, YHWH my God, according to Your righteousness. Put enemies to shame and confusion; encourage those who trust You to shout for joy. And let me tell of Your goodness all the day long.

When Israel had crossed the Jordan, they camped at Gilgal just east of Jericho, and set up the memorial of twelve stones taken from the riverbed, after YHWH dried up the river for His people to cross—so that all people could know that YHWH is mighty, awesome and the God of His people forever. Word of this mighty feat terrified the kings and people in the land. YHWH told Joshua to circumcise the Israelite males with flint knives, and so it was done, at ‘the Hill of the Foreskins,’ Gibeath-haaraloth. The people had walked forty years in the wilderness; only Joshua and Caleb survived the journey, and all the other males, born during the wilderness wandering, had not yet been circumcised. After that, the people remained in camp and healed. And YHWH told Joshua, ‘Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.’ That rolling away is popularly associated with the name Gilgal (actually, ‘ring of stones’). The people observed Passover there on the plains of Jericho. The next day, they began to eat the produce of the land, and the manna supply stopped. From then on, the people ate the fruit of the land of Canaan! Joshua was standing near Jericho; looking up, he saw a man standing before him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua approached the man, and asked, ‘Are you for us, or for our adversaries?’ The man replied, ‘No; but as commander of the army of YHWH I have now come.’ Joshua fell facedown and worshiped, and said, ‘What does my Lord bid His servant?’ The Lord’s commander replied, ‘Put off your shoes, for the place where you stand is holy ground.’ And Joshua obeyed, removing his shoes.

Paul provided guidance for the Roman Christians: Love genuinely; hate evil, and hold fast what is good; love one another with brotherly affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Be unflagging in zeal, aglow with the Spirit, and serve the Lord. Rejoice in your hope; be patient in tribulation and constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints, and practice hospitality. Bless even those who persecute you. Rejoice with all who rejoice; weep with all who weep. Live in harmony with one another; befriend the lowly; never be conceited. Repay no one evil for evil; ponder how to act nobly in the sight of all. As far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. My dear friends, never avenge yourselves; let that to God, as it is written, '"Vengeance is Mine, I will repay", says the Lord.' Rather, if your enemy is hungry or thirsty, feed him and give him a drink. By doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head. Resist evil, and overcome evil with good.

On the first day of Unleavened Bread, the disciples asked Jesus, ‘Where will you have us prepare for You to eat the Passover?’ Jesus gave them directions: ‘Go into the city, to a certain man, and say to him, “The Teacher says, My time is at hand; I will keep the Passover at your house with My disciples.”’ They did as He directed, and they prepared the Passover. That evening, Jesus reclined at table with the twelve disciples; as they were eating, he said, ‘I tell you truly, one of you will betray Me.’ The apostles were very sad, and began to ask Him, one after another, ‘Is it I, Lord?’ He answered: ‘One who has dipped his hand in the dish with Me will betray Me. The Son of man goes as it is written concerning Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.’ Judas, who betrayed Him, said, ‘Is it I, Master?’ And Jesus answered, ‘You have said so.’