Hold fast to the end

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

Saturday, July 24, 2010
Devotions: Ps 55, 138, 139:1-17; Josh 23:1-16; Rom 15:25-33; Mt 27:11-25

Lord, hear my prayers and answer! The noise of the enemy distracts me, and I'm troubled (and feel guilty about being troubled). Part of me wants to run away and find shelter. But I trust You more, Lord. Destroy their plans and protect me from false or careless friends. YHWH will sustain me; He does not let His righteous ones be moved. Lord, I will trust in You! I thank God with all my heart; I praise YHWH before all spiritual and mortal beings. He answers my prayers; He sustains my life. YHWH is infinitely high, and He cares for the lowly. Great is the glory of the Lord. God, You preserve my life as I walk through trouble. Fulfill Your purposes for me. Do not forsake the work of Your hands! For You have searched and known me, Lord. You made me and you know every moment of my existence, past, present and future. You are everywhere, and I praise You for your handiwork! Your thoughts are precious and immense! Great are You, Lord, and greatly to be praised.

At the end of Joshua's long life, YHWH had given Israel rest from all their enemies. Joshua summoned the elders of all the tribes, with their judges and officers. Joshua summarized his life's work, and laid out the tasks remaining: 'YHWH your God will push back the Gentile nations before you, and you will possess all God has promised you. Be very steadfast in obeying everything in the book of Moses; do not mix with these pagan nations. Cling faithfully to YHWH your God; love and serve Him alone. For if you turn back and join with the remnant of these other nations and intermarry with them, YHWH will stop defending and protecting you, and they will be a snare, trap and scourge to you—like thorns scratching your eyes, till you perish from this good land YHWH has given you. Now, I am going the way of all mortals; not one thing has failed of all the promises God made to you. Keep in mind, though, that His curses are no less potent or sure than His blessings. Don't break His covenant! Don't make God angry with you, or you'll lose all that you have gained from His hand and by His grace.'

Paul shared his plans with the Christians in Rome: Right now, I'm headed for Jerusalem with aid for the church there from Macedonia and Achaia. When I have completed that task, I'll set out for Spain, and stop through Rome on my way. I'll bring the blessings of the Messiah with me! Brothers and sisters, I appeal to you by our Lord Jesus the Messiah to strive with me, praying to God for me, that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea and may serve the saints in Jerusalem well, so that by God's grace I will be filled with joy and refreshed when I come to you. May the God of peace be with you all. Amen.

Jesus was brought before Pilate, who asked Him, 'Are you the king of the Jews?' Jesus answered, 'You have said so.' But He made no answer to the accusations of the chief priests and elders. Pilate asked Jesus, 'Don't you hear how many things they say against you?' But Jesus held His peace, and the governor greatly wondered. At the time of Passover, it was customary for the governor to release any one prisoner are the public's request. Pilate gave them the choice, 'Would you want to to release for you Jesus Barabbas or Jesus who is called Christ?' Pilate knew the leaders had delivered Jesus of Nazareth to him out of envy; and Pilate's wife had sent him an urgent message to have nothing to do with Jesus of Nazareth—she had suffered much concerning him in a dream that very night. However, the chief priests and elders persuaded the people to ask Pilate to release Barabbas and to destroy Jesus. When the mob insisted, Pilate publicly washed his hands in water before the crowd, saying 'I am innocent of this man's blood; see to it yourselves.' And all the people answered, 'His blood be upon us and upon our children.'