| Date | Version | Reading Plan |
|---|---|---|
| @July 9, 2024 | ESV (2016) | M’Cheyne Plan 2024 |
Joshua 11
Joshua 11:15 (ESV) 15 Just as the LORD had commanded Moses his servant, so Moses commanded Joshua, and so Joshua did. He left nothing undone of all that the LORD had commanded Moses.
This is somewhat of a summary verse of the chapter, that Joshua performed in full all that he was commanded. God blessed the faithfulness of Joshua by giving all of his enemies into his hand and granting possession of the promised land. The comprehensiveness of Joshua’s obedience in leaving nothing undone is inspiring. How often we can languish in pursuing complete obedience such as this. We can be selective and half-hearted in our sharing of the gospel, of loving and serving others, in pointing them to the hope we have in Christ. May Joshua be as a model to us, sparking the desire within us to fulfill our calling to the fullest measure we have been given ability.
Psalm 144
Psalm 144:3–4 (ESV) 3 O LORD, what is man that you regard him, or the son of man that you think of him? 4 Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow.
David acknowledges man’s feebleness and unworthiness of consideration by the LORD. How fast our days pass by, like an exhale that quickly dissipates. This can be taken either despairingly or as an engine to drive us, wasting not a moment in living for Christ. What would it do within us if we truly realized how short is this life? How much more would we live for Christ and kingdom causes knowing how limited are our days? With what urgency would we share the gospel with every lost and weary soul?
Jeremiah 5
Jeremiah 5:31 (ESV) 31 the prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule at their direction; my people love to have it so, but what will you do when the end comes?
The prophets were prophesying falsely, the priests were operating out of their direction and the people loved to have it this way. It was manifold corruption, permeating everything. The question posed to those steeped in sin is horrifying, “what will you do when the end comes?” How relevant this is for us today. The end is coming—not “if”, but “when”—and there will be a reckoning. It will be a Day of divine confrontation with a holy and just God. How horrifying will this be for those who reject salvation in Christ and how glorious for the saints whose hearts believe and mouths confess that Jesus is Lord.
Matthew 19
Matthew 19:29 (ESV) 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.
This is such a powerful verse that speaks to the assured reward of our steadfast allegiance to the Lord. I wonder how this verse strikes Muslims or those enmeshed in familial bondage, having to make the decision to follow Christ at the expense of losing loved ones. How incredibly difficult this must be but also how gracious is our Lord to adopt them into His family, gifting them the heavenly treasure of eternal life with Himself.