James 5

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James 5 describes the benefits of patience, and uses the example of Job’s steadfastness to demonstrate the point. Just like a farmer has to wait for his crop to grow, relying on God for rain at the appropriate time, so we have to wait for our salvation, relying on God to provide for our needs. While we are patiently waiting, James tells us not to grumble against each other. Just as Job refused to curse God for the circumstances he endured, so we need to endure suffering, knowing that God is “compassionate and merciful”.

James also describes the benefits of prayer, using the example of Elijah. The prayers that James mention are all focused on others, the sick, the suffering, and the sins of others. James concludes with the wonderful reminder that “whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.”

While we are patiently waiting for the Lord’s return, our focus should be on helping each other remain faithful, and not giving up on people when they are lost.

James 3-4

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James 3-4 continues the overall theme of practical advice for living a faithful life, and especially how we interact with each other. He lists the dangers of the tongue, boasting of great things, “setting on fire the entire course of life … no human being can tame the tongue”.

We also find the wisdom from above contrasted with earthly wisdom. “Jealousy and selfish ambition” is the outcome of natural wisdom, “but the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere”.

The focus on earthly wisdom had caused “quarrels and … fights among” the ecclesia, so James offers advice on this issue too.  “Submit yourselves therefore to God… Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you”. 

In all of these ideas, James is setting our focus on God rather than ourselves. This is a challenge for all of us, but let’s follow James’ advice to “humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you”.

Judges 4-5

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In Judges 4 and 5 we find the story of Deborah and Barak, and also the heroic actions of Jael. Women prophets were rare, only 10 to be found in the Bible and only 5 mentioned by name. Their stories are all important, highlighting that leadership and Godly examples are not limited to males; the role of a Christian woman is not a passive one.

In Judges 4 we read that “Deborah, a prophetess… was judging Israel at that time”. No similar statement is made of Barak. It was Deborah that guided Israel, leading them in crying to God as Israel were oppressed 20 years by the armies of Jabin, king of Canaan. It was Deborah that berates Barak into leading Israel into battle, and surely it was Deborah’s faithful example that incited Jael to take the opportunity to kill Sisera. As a result of their work, Israel had rest 40 years.

What a great example for all of us, to take action and respond to our calling, leading by example, taking every opportunity to serve God.

Hebrews 12

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Hebrews 12 continues to contrast the Law and salvation through Christ. God treats us as His children, which means He disciplines us for our benefit, “For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives… for our good, that we may share his holiness”. Paul says that we should be encouraged by it, although at the time it “seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”

The inheritance we’ve been offered is not one of fear, unlike the “blazing fire and … tempest and the sound of a trumpet” that accompanied Israel’s receiving of the Law. Even Moses said “I tremble with fear” at that sight.

We have “come to … the city of the living God … to innumerable angels in festal gathering … and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant”. Paul concludes this idea by saying “let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe”.

Joshua 11, 2 Timothy 1

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In Joshua 11, an army is assembled against the Israelites, described as “a great horde, in number like the sand that is on the seashore, with very many horses and chariots.” Yet God tells Joshua “Do not be afraid of them, for tomorrow at this time I will give over all of them, slain, to Israel”. Joshua and Israel destroyed this army, “he left nothing undone of all that the Lord had commanded Moses”. Afterwards, Israel received their inheritance and then “the land had rest from war”.

Paul in 2 Timothy 1 also gives advice about fear, “God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control”. Like Joshua and Israel were encouraged not to be afraid because God was with them, so Paul encourages Timothy and us not to be afraid or “ashamed of the testimony about our Lord”. Paul could say “I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed… Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard in me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus”.

 

Joshua 10, Isaiah 14

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Joshua 10 describes God working with Israel to defeat their enemies, the 5 kings of the Amorites. It was an incredible situation. Adoni-zedek, fearing Israel after their battle against Ai, preemptively attacks Gibeon due to their alliance with Israel. Joshua and the army of Israel march all night, fight a battle early in the morning, then pursue their enemies as they fled. God had told Joshua. “Do not fear them, for I have given them into your hands. Not a man of them shall stand before you”.

Not only did God help the Israelites fight a battle of overwhelming odds, he sends massive hailstones on the fleeing army, and “there were more who died because of the hailstones than the sons of Israel killed with the sword”. Furthermore, God even lengthened the day to give Israel time to finish killing off the Amorites, “the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, until the nation took vengeance on their enemies.” This shows us how far God was willing to God to help Israel.

Isaiah 14 describes God’s mercy, “for the Lord will have compassion on Jacob and will again choose Israel, and will set them in their own land.” There would come a time when “the Lord has given you rest from your pain and turmoil and hard service”. Even when Israel had strayed from serving God, He was watching over them. What an incredible example of God’s mercy, the same mercy that He extends to us.

1 Thessalonians 3-4

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In 1 Thessalonians 3, we read that Paul was more concerned about his brothers and sisters in Thessalonica than for himself. Paul had warned them this would happen, “we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction”, but now that it had, Paul writes “I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain”.

Paul took comfort in seeing the faith of others, “in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith. For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord.” Paul also encourages them to grow and develop in their faith, “that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more.”

This is an aspect to faith we don’t often think about. Our faith and example can be encouraging and uplifting to others who are struggling. We can take the example of Paul, thanking others for their faith and example. So thankyou all! Your faith serves as a reminder of the great hope we share.

Acts 25-26

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In Acts 25-26, we find a good example of how providence works. Paul had previously been told by the Lord, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.” Paul uses that knowledge in Acts 25, taking the opportunity to appeal to Caesar. He knew that would result in him being sent to Rome, to testify of the gospel.

The same idea applies to us. We’ve been called to reflect God’s character, to preach the gospel, but we haven’t been instructed on a specific time or method. That part is up to us, but we can be confident that doing so is fulfilling God’s request of us. Paul uses every opportunity to preach, even in court when falsely accused of capital crimes.

In Acts 26, Paul recounts how he used to zealously persecute the believers he now represented, and his conversion. Paul was “speaking true and rational words” about events known throughout the world. Even Festus, the Roman governor of Judaea, would have been well aware of Jesus and the Christians. “For the king knows about these things, and to him I speak boldly. For I am persuaded that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this has not been done in a corner.” Paul was not afraid to preach to those with the power to put him to death, how much more willing to preach should we be?

Deuteronomy 25, Acts 20

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Deuteronomy 25 details a number of miscellaneous laws, including Levite marriage and fair weights. Moses gives the Amalekites as an example of those “who act dishonestly”, and as such “are an abomination to the Lord your God”. The Amalekites would be punished, their memory forgotten once “the Lord your God has given you rest from all your enemies around you, in the land that the Lord your God is giving you for an inheritance to possess”.

Moses reminds Israel of their future, and the promise God had made to Israel. They were going to inherit a land, given to them by God, along with the rest they would afterwards experience. I like the way this verse is tucked away in the middle of a long detailed list of laws. It reminded Israel of the reason they were keeping these laws.

Sometimes in life it is easy to lose track of the big picture, of the reason we’re living a particular way, and looking forward to our inheritance helps remind us of the hope God has provided. When Paul met with the elders from Ephesus, he also reminds them of their inheritance. “therefore be alert… I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.”

Deuteronomy 20

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Deuteronomy 20 describes laws concerning warfare. Israel were about to face many battles while entering the promised land, fighting against nations known for their military prowess. Moses tells Israel, “when you go out to war against your enemies, and see horses and chariots and an army larger than your own, you shall not be afraid of them, for the Lord your God is with you, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt… Do not fear or panic or be in dread of them, for the Lord your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory”.

Israel had good reason to be afraid; from a natural standpoint they had no chance of defeating the Canaanites. With God fighting on their behalf though, their victory was assured. This language is very similar to language used to describe our battle against sin. Ephesians 6, “Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might”. 2 Corinthians 10, “For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds”. 1 Corinthians 15, “Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

The war is already won, we just need to fight our daily battles against sin, confident that God is on our side.