TODAY IN THE WORD

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Mark 14:32-42
Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. - Mark 14:38
TODAY IN THE WORD
Even though the olive grove was a familiar place to the disciples, things must have looked quite different on that unique night.

Jesus led His eleven remaining followers from the upper room in Jerusalem on a short walk across the Kidron Valley to the Mount of Olives. There on the side of the hill was an olive grove known as Gethsemane, a word which means ""olive press,"" a large stone column that crushed the valuable oil from the olives.

The garden was a favorite prayer retreat for Jesus, so familiar that Judas knew where to find Jesus to betray Him (John 18:2). Jesus left eight disciples at the entrance and took His inner circle of Peter, James, and John with Him deeper among the trees.

At once Jesus became ""deeply distressed,"" even ""overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death"" (vv. 33-34). It must have been very distressing to those three disciples to see Jesus in such anguish. He wanted His closest friends with Him--a powerful testimony to the reality of Jesus' human nature.

But the lateness of the hour and the disciples' emotional exhaustion and failure to keep spiritually alert combined to overwhelm them. Luke adds that they were ""exhausted from sorrow"" (Luke 22:45).

Notice that Jesus spoke directly to Peter when He returned the first time and found the men asleep. Peter was the most overconfident, so he had the most to learn. Jesus focused on this special follower throughout His trials, His crucifixion, and His resurrection (Luke 22:30-34, 61).

If you've ever been startled out of sleep in the middle of the night by a scary sound, you can imagine how the disciples felt when their slumber was broken by the sound of soldiers coming with swords, clubs, and torches. All the disciples fled, leaving Jesus alone (Mark 14:50).

Have you ever wondered what the other eight disciples did at the entrance to Gethsemane? Chances are they did the same thing Peter, James, and John did. None of the disciples was ready for what was about to happen. Jesus' word to the three, quoted above, is a timely word for us too.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
For most of us, summer brings some kind of significant change in our personal or family schedules. It could be easy to let the ""lazy days"" of summer lull us into spiritual lethargy.

We hope that isn't the case for you. The long days of July are ideal to invest some extra time in Bible study and prayer. Today, allow Jesus to ask you, ""Will you keep watch with Me for one hour?""

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: John 20:1-10
Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory? - Luke 24:26
TODAY IN THE WORD
Illusionists such as David Copperfield have become more popular lately. Their ability is so keen that they have made people believe that they could even make objects as large as the Statue of Liberty disappear! This is because the audience's perceptions are distorted visually. People come to trust in their vision so much that even when they know things aren't true, they believe anyway--now matter how absurd it may seem!

In much the same way, during the time between Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection, His eleven remaining disciples had a serious lack of understanding in their lives. It was not that their physical vision was distorted, but rather that they had a lack of spiritual vision.

The apostles simply did not understand that Jesus had to die before He could enter His glory. Two other disciples of Jesus on the Emmaus Road got firsthand enlightenment from the risen Christ (Luke 24), and the eleven were in great need of the same exposure to spiritual light. John admitted that he and his fellow disciples did not understand about Jesus' resurrection (v. 9).

For Peter and John, the light of understanding came at the empty tomb. Following Mary Magdalene's alarming report that Jesus was not in His tomb, the two men ran to investigate for themselves. It took a firsthand look at the empty graveclothes for John to believe, but at last the light dawned in his heart.

Peter seems to have taken a little longer to get the picture. According to Luke 24:12, he left the tomb wondering what had happened to Jesus.

Maybe that's why John 20:10 records what seems to be a curious fact. The disciples went back home, maybe to try to make sense of all they had seen and heard. It is undeniable that they were slow to believe in the resurrection (see Luke 24:9-11). So the first appearance of Jesus was to Mary Magdalene, not to Peter, James, or John.

Since we know the end of the story, it's easy for us to shake our heads at the disciples. But as people who have God's full revelation available to us every day, we must ask ourselves how we are responding to the truth He has given us.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
If we are honest, the answer to the question above is often this: like the disciples, we are also slow to grasp what God wants to teach us.

That shouldn't be the case, especially when God has flooded us with the light of His Word. Our goal at Today is to help make the Bible an open (not a closed) book for you. Following up on yesterday's encouragement to be faithful in your time with God, we urge you now not to let anything come between you and the Lord that would block His ""light.""

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: John 20:19-29
Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed. - John 20:29
TODAY IN THE WORD
Have you ever met a person who is habitually questioning whether things will work out? Most likely, the name ""doubting Thomas"" has been used to describe that person at least once. That's because we have come to associate this familiar disciple with feelings of doubt. In fact, if you looked up ""doubting Thomas"" in the dictionary, chances are there would be a definition such as: ""a habitually doubtful person.""

Is this an accurate picture of Thomas? The Bible does not say that doubt was the habit of his life. But he did firmly express his reservations about the resurrection, and doubt has come to be associated since with Thomas's name.

But it's possible that any other member of the Twelve could have been in Thomas's place and acquired his nickname. As we saw yesterday, they all refused to believe the initial report that Jesus was alive. Thomas happened to voice his lack of belief and became the object of Jesus' attention.

These events began with the risen Lord's first appearance to the still-fearful group. No wonder they were overjoyed to see and hear Jesus. They were scared to death, feeling trapped and alone in a locked room.

The absence of Thomas on that happy occasion was for our benefit. How can we say that? Because what happened the next week led to a pronouncement of blessing from Jesus that has lifted the heart of every disciple since!

How gracious of Jesus to appear again to strengthen His doubting disciple's faith. As soon as Thomas had touched the Savior's wounds, he fell at His feet in total submission. This revealed what was in the disciple's heart, since Jesus knew that Thomas's doubt was not the bitter unbelief of an enemy, but the questioning of a friend.

The blessing for us came from Jesus' lips as He gently rebuked the lack of faith Thomas had shown. Here is one reason we modern-day disciples are not at a disadvantage when it comes to believing. Yes, the Twelve got to see Jesus in the flesh. But remember: faith does not depend on sight (see 2 Cor. 5:7)!
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Actually, the most remarkable portion of this story may be found in verses 22-23, where Jesus gave His apostles a foretaste of the ministry He had for them.

If we had been in Jesus' place, we might have been tempted to ""fire"" these hesitant, all-too-human followers and start over with a new crew. But Jesus knew the men He had selected, and He wanted every one of them. The same is true for us, despite our faults and failures. Think of it: Jesus chose you because He loves you and wants you in His service. If you feel like thanking Him for His love, go ahead!

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: John 21:1-19
Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you. - John 21:17
TODAY IN THE WORD
The story is told of a lifeguard who watched from the shore as a swimmer struggled desperately in deep water. Despite the shouts of onlookers, the lifeguard waited for a minute before plunging into the surf to pull the drowning man to safety. When asked why he had hesitated, the rescuer replied, ""I knew that if I tried to help him while he was still fighting so hard, he would have pulled both of us under. I had to wait for him to quit struggling so I could help him.""

Perhaps this is why Jesus waited until sometime after His resurrection to ""rescue"" Peter from the sea of remorse and guilt in which he was struggling. We can't be certain whether the fisherman's decision to go fishing was just for a day's outing, or a sign that he had quit the disciple business. Ultimately it doesn't matter, because the risen Lord did some fishing of His own that day.

This story by the sea is one of the most powerful in the Gospels. John describes it with the vividness of an eyewitness, which he was. Jesus' appearance on the shore, and the disciples' failure to recognize Him, reminds us of His appearance to Mary Magdalene outside the tomb. On that previous occasion, Jesus revealed Himself by speaking Mary's name in that voice she knew so well. Here Jesus revealed Himself by a miraculous catch of fish--exactly the way He had first called Peter and John (see July 4 study).

Credit John with having a good memory. No one but Jesus could fill their nets that way. Peter got the message, and could not have headed for shore more quickly. He was ready to be near Jesus again. Peter had come to the end of his struggle to make it on his own.

However, some commentators believe Peter was still not quite ready for restoration. They hear in his answers that edge of self-assurance that got him into trouble in the first place. But the text gives no indication that Peter was still proud. His three affirmations of love for Jesus answer for his three denials. Then Jesus got to the heart of the issue when He gave Peter the same command He had given him at the beginning: ""Follow me!""
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Isn't it amazing the way God continues to forgive, cleanse, and use us even though we fail Him so often?

God can forgive and cleanse us because the blood Jesus spilled on the Cross takes away all sin. We will trip and fall into sin as long as we are on this earth. But we don't have to lie on the ground after we have fallen. The never-changing promise of 1 John 1:9 is still in force. Draw on this provision of forgiveness if that is your need today.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Acts 1:15-26
God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact. - Acts 2:32
TODAY IN THE WORD
After Jesus' resurrection, the Twelve had several important assignments to fulfill. One was to obey the Lord's instructions and remain in Jerusalem until they received power for ministry through the coming of the Holy Spirit. The other was to choose a successor for the now-deceased Judas.

Peter led the way in the meeting to decide who the newest member of the Twelve would be. Peter's speech shows how well he knew the Scriptures and the high regard in which he held them. They ""had to be fulfilled"" (v. 16).

Peter cited several Psalms that prophesied Judas's betrayal, although Judas was not mentioned by name in the Old Testament. Instead, the two references from the Psalms refer to enemies of the Davidic king, who is often representative of the Messiah.

Two things are particularly noteworthy about the casting of lots that placed Matthias among the Twelve. First, the qualifications needed by the candidates shows why there could be no such thing as apostolic succession. An apostle had to be an eyewitness of Jesus' resurrection (v. 21).

What's interesting about this account is the controversy it has generated among Bible teachers. Some think that Peter and the body of believers acted too hastily in electing Matthias to take Judas's place.

Why is that? Because some people believe God intended Paul to fill that slot. But this idea has several major flaws, the biggest being that the Bible never condemns this action. Furthermore, Paul never claimed this position for himself, realizing that God had made him an apostle to the Gentiles.

The number of the Twelve was made complete again just before Pentecost.

Why was it so crucial to replace Judas? Perhaps because Jesus had told the Twelve they would sit on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Since Judas was disqualified from apostolic service by his sin, someone else was needed to occupy that throne.

Even though James, the brother of John, was later killed by Herod, he was not replaced because he was not disqualified as Judas had been. The band of apostles was now complete and ready for service.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Today we see a real contrast between us and the disciples in the first days after Jesus' resurrection.

These first-century saints were waiting in Jerusalem for the power and presence of the Holy Spirit to come upon them. What they were prayerfully anticipating is a daily reality for us. How well are we doing with the gifts God has given us? The book of Acts outlines what those early believers did when they were empowered. Let's pray that our lives will reflect the same fearless, all-out commitment to Christ that marked theirs.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Acts 5:17-42
Go...and tell the people the full message of this new life. - Acts 5:20
TODAY IN THE WORD
The former African nation of Zaire, called the Republic of Congo since the recent coup, is so poor that nothing there is thrown away. Old tires are cut up and fitted with straps to be used by the poorest people as sandals. The Lingala people of the Congo call these shoes ""Jesus feet,"" primarily because the people identify them with the sandals Jesus is shown wearing in various paintings and drawings.

After the Day of Pentecost the apostles definitely had ""Jesus feet,"" but it had little to do with sandals! It was because they went everywhere the Spirit of Jesus told them to go, and said everything He told them to say.

Because a lot has been written about the great change that came over the apostles after Pentecost, we don't need to belabor that point. Acts 4 and 5 are crucial to the story because it is here that official resistance to the gospel first appeared.

The apostles were let go with threats the first time (Acts 4:21). But they could not be silenced. So in Acts 5 we see the Jewish officials trying the standard punishments, which included imprisonment and a severe beating.

But the disciples were harder to keep in jail than an escape artist. Their divinely-aided escape and second arrest brought them face to face with their enemies. Peter led the way in stating a principle that has guided the church in difficult times ever since: ""We must obey God rather than men!"" (v. 29).

This holy defiance, coupled with a brief but powerful testimony concerning Jesus, produced the same kind of rage that had caused Jesus to be killed. From a human viewpoint the intervention of Gamaliel spared the apostles' lives, but we can be sure that God would not have allowed a hair on the apostles' heads to be harmed until it was His time.

These men who had fled in terror the night Jesus was arrested were now honored to suffer for ""the Name"" (v. 41). They understood that Jesus' name is above every name, and that some day every person who has ever lived will bow to Him (Phil. 2:10). The apostles bowed in willing submission to Jesus, offering their total beings to Him.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Do you have ""Jesus feet""?

As we suggested above, a person like this is someone who goes wherever God wants him or her to go, and does what God desires. By this definition, any believer in Christ can qualify for Jesus feet.

Is there a step of obedience you know God is asking you to take? Maybe it involves letting go of a habit or speaking to someone about Him. Whatever the case, step out in obedience today and you'll find new spiritual power in your life.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Acts 12:1-19
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. - Philippians 1:21
TODAY IN THE WORD
Does it seem a little unusual to you that the first martyrdom among the Twelve was reported with just a few words of Scripture and never mentioned again?

The first apostle to be killed for his testimony to Jesus was John's brother James, a member of the inner circle. He was executed by King Herod Agrippa I, the grandson of the Herod who had tried to have Jesus put to death at His birth.

Why did the death of James not warrant more space in the story of the church? We know he had become a brave witness for Christ, like the rest of the apostles. So he died as a spiritual hero. If this had happened in our day, James probably would have received a full burial attended by all sorts of religious dignitaries. But the Bible does not record any reaction to his murder.

It certainly wasn't because the other eleven apostles didn't care about him. Their grief must have been deep. And there is no question that Jesus noted the death of one of His beloved disciples. Psalm 116:15 assures us that God cares deeply about His saints.

But as we read the book of Acts, we get a strong sense that like soldiers at war, the apostles and the early church knew how important it is to keep advancing even in the face of casualties.

Peter's arrest and miraculous escape serve as an illustration of this strong sense of mission. He knew that Herod had intended to kill him too, but his first concern was not necessarily to protect his own life. His concern was the work of Christ.

The James to whom Peter referred in verse 17 was not his fellow apostle, of course, but James, the half-brother of Jesus. This man was becoming a leader in the Jerusalem church (see Acts 15), and would later write the Bible book that carries his name.

Church history reports that all of the apostles except John died as martyrs for Christ. Peter may have suffered the most, being crucified upside-down according to tradition. He, James, and the rest of the Twelve reflected the same commitment the apostle Paul verbalized in today's verse.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
A lot of Christians have chosen Philippians 1:21 as the verse by which they intend to live their lives.

But what does it really mean for Christ to be our life? Certainly it means to put God's will ahead of ours, as Jesus prayed in Gethsemane (Mark 14:36). It involves a willingness to sacrifice anything that would keep us from ""gain[ing] Christ"" (Phil. 3:. And it includes the desire for Christ to be glorified through our lives, whatever the cost (Phil. 1:20). These truths are easy to list--but not easy to live out!

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 1 John 1:1-4; 4:7-10
This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world. - 1 John 4:9
TODAY IN THE WORD
Earlier this month we mentioned that of the twelve apostles Jesus chose, only one lived a long life: John, the brother of James. And, in influence among the Twelve, he was second only to Peter. John spent years in exile on Patmos, the island from which he wrote the book of Revelation.

Church tradition tells how John, returned from exile but too old and weak to walk, would be carried into church, where he would sit and exhort, ""Little children, love one another."" John's heart is revealed in his first New Testament letter, which helped gain him the nickname ""the apostle of love.""

John's love for Jesus was beyond question. This apostle's favorite name for himself was ""the disciple whom Jesus loved"" (John 13:23). It was John who leaned against Jesus at the Last Supper and asked with a broken heart who would betray Him (John 21:20). John may have been a fiery ""son of thunder"" in his youthful days, but his zeal was born of love for his Lord.

Like his brothers in the faith, John also had no doubt whatsoever about the deity of Jesus Christ. The Gospel of John begins with a testimony to the eternality of Jesus as the Son of God, one equal with the Father and Creator of all that exists.

John makes the same reference to Jesus' nature at the beginning of his first letter. But in 1 John 1:1-4, the apostle is writing as a reliable eyewitness of Jesus' earthly life, as one who saw and heard and touched the Lord.

John writes for the benefit of those of us who did not see and hear and touch Jesus in the flesh, so that we might know the truth and receive the eternal life Jesus came to give.

Then in chapter 4, John goes to the heart of the gospel message. These verses remind us that God's love is not mushy sentiment, but a redeeming love aimed at sinful rebels who had no love for God. God initiated love, Jesus embodied love, and the Holy Spirit pours out that love on us (see Rom. 5:5). John never got over that wonderful truth; it dominated his heart and life. We would do well to follow his example.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
The doctrine of love is meat-and-potatoes stuff when it comes to how we are supposed to live out our Christian lives each day.

Sometimes the basics of our faith are easy to overlook and neglect because they are so foundational. Walking along the way with John this month brings us a refreshing reminder that above all, we are to love the Lord our God with all of our being. Is your love for Christ strong and vibrant today, or does it need freshening up? Talk to Him about it.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Ephesians 2:19-20; Revelation 21:9-14
You are... members of God's household, built on
the foundation of the apostles and prophets. - Ephesians 2:19-20
TODAY IN THE WORD
Missionary-explorer David Livingstone (see the July 16 study) was one of the monumental figures of the nineteenth century. His accomplishments are staggering by any standard, but even more so given his difficult beginnings. There was little in Livingstone's background or early years that suggested greatness would emerge. Livingstone was born in 1813 in the industrial town of Blantyre, Scotland. He went to work in the cotton mills at the age of ten, working fourteen-hour days that would have left most adults too exhausted for anything else.

But aside from the obvious fact that God's hand was on David Livingstone, the key to his life was his thirst for learning and for doing God's will.

In this, David Livingstone was much like the apostles of Jesus we have been studying this month. What we know of their backgrounds does not suggest the spiritual greatness that God would have in store for them. But then, one reason the Bible tells us so little about the apostles' backgrounds is that this was not the real determining factor in what they became.

The picture we get in today's reading seems far removed from the day-to-day account of the apostles' ministry in the Gospels. In those records the failures, sins, and lapses of faith that marked the Twelve as apostles-in-progress are recorded without glossing over their humanness.

But in the end, these men proved themselves faithful and ready to accept the monumentally important work of establishing the church. Paul acknowledges his brother apostles as foundational stones in the church, men to whom every believer is indebted for his or her commitment to Christ. Each of us as a modern-day disciple is standing on the solid foundation they laid.

The picture of the apostles' value is made complete in Revelation. They, like all the other heroes of faith, were looking toward and building a heavenly city (see Heb. 11:13-16). God has uniquely honored the apostles by inscribing their names on the foundation stones of the New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:14).

By God's grace, some day we will enter that glorious city and see this amazing sight. That's something to anticipate!
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Sometimes Christians are accused of being too heavenly-minded for any earthly good.

We're not sure if this is possible, but if so, we stand guilty as charged! While it's obviously true that we are not to neglect the needs of the world around us, the Bible never tells us to quit thinking about heaven so much. God's people of faith ""are looking for a country of their own"" (Heb. 11:14). So if you ever find yourself looking forward to heaven, you're in good company! Today, thank the Lord for the city He has prepared for you--and for the apostles whose ministry helped to lay its foundation.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Ephesians 4:7-8, 11-13
It was [Christ] who gave some to be apostles... to prepare
God's people for works of service.
- Ephesians 4:11-12
TODAY IN THE WORD
We began this month by relating the story of how D.L. Moody influenced F.B. Meyer, who then influenced Oswald Chambers. We said then that this is the essence of discipleship, reproducing in the lives of others what God is teaching us.

We find the same kind of influence in the life of Henry Stanley, the British-born newspaper reporter who was sent to find missionary David Livingstone deep in the interior of Africa. Stanley found Livingstone, and uttered his famous greeting: ""Dr. Livingstone, I presume?"" After spending time with his famous host, Stanley was so impressed by the ""shining example"" of Livingstone's faith that Stanley himself put his faith in Christ.

Of course, discipleship of this nature was initiated by Jesus and the Twelve. We're spending the last two days of July looking at these men from the standpoint of their completed lives and work. The picture the Bible paints of them is glorious.

The apostles were very special gifts from Christ to His church. We have already discussed the foundational nature of their work as those who carried the gospel from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth. Paul himself is definitely a part of this gift, since he was very much aware of his calling as the apostle to the Gentiles (Rom. 11:13).

Once again, the Scripture makes it clear that we are on the receiving end of this wonderful gift. In Ephesians 4 we learn that the apostles were given to the church so that all of God's people might be mature disciples. This would then contribute to a healthy, mature church.

Notice that God's desire is for all of us to experience ""the whole measure of the fullness of Christ"" (v. 13). In other words, God did not have something secret, mysterious, or exclusive for the Twelve that we cannot have today.

Obviously, we cannot repeat the apostles' ministry. This was never God's purpose anyway. But the goal of the robust spiritual maturity that the apostles achieved is available to all of Jesus' disciples. God has given us everything needed to make our maturity possible. All that remains is our willingness and obedience.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Those two words--willingness and obedience--really sum up what it takes to be a mature, fully-functioning disciple of Jesus Christ.

What God honors is not great ability, but great availability. This means having a willing spirit, one that says to God, as Jesus did, ""Not my will, but Yours be done.""

The other requirement of a disciple is obedience. There's nothing fancy to it, just doing what God has commanded us to do. As we close this month, ask God to make you and keep you an available, obedient disciple.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Deuteronomy 1:1-5
These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings
for us. - 1 Corinthians 10:11
TODAY IN THE WORD
Speaking to his countrymen last year, King Hussein of Jordan said he regretted his nation's involvement in the Six-Day War against Israel in 1967. 'In reality, it was probably our duty to try to keep this country from being part of that battle,' the king said in a statement issued on the 30th anniversary of the war.

It's amazing what a few decades will do for a person's perspective. The Israelites spent forty years wandering around in the desert as a result of a disobedient choice. And it was a choice that, in retrospect, Moses knew had cost the nation a great deal.

Having been liberated from bondage in Egypt by the miraculous power of God, the Israelites came to Horeb (v. 2, another name for Mount Sinai), where their leader and liberator Moses received the Law of God. Then the nation traveled from Horeb to a place called Kadesh Barnea, on the very edge of Canaan, the land God had promised to give them.

But at Kadesh, the people turned back in unbelief after the spies' report filled them with fear (Numbers 13). This act of unbelief turned what should have been an eleven-day trip from Horeb to Kadesh into nearly forty years of wandering around in the wilderness.

These events are the setting for our study this month, which we are calling 'Obedience and Blessing.' When Israel's four decades of discipline in the desert were complete, God led the nation back to the edge of CanaanÑthis time from the east instead of up from the southwest.

There, on the east side of the Jordan River, the nation stood poised to enter Canaan. Although Moses would not be allowed to enter the Promised Land with his people, he had a final message for themÑin fact, a series of powerful sermons that comprise most of the Book of Deuteronomy.

The book begins, 'These are the words Moses spoke.' We are going to study his words in Deuteronomy, chapters 1 through 4, listening to this great prophet as he reviews God's faithfulness to Israel and warns the people against the sin of unbelief.

We will also look at some of the key historical events Moses refers toÑgathering lessons along the way that, we pray, will strengthen the faith of each of us and increase our desire to obey God and enjoy His blessings.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
It's a pretty simple formula to grasp: obedience to God equals His blessing.

The corollary is also true: unbelief invites God's discipline. Israel, under the leadership of Moses, furnishes us with all the examples of the latter we will ever need. Paul even said that these events were recorded as warnings to us. Where are you in your spiritual pilgrimage as we enter August? Ask God to prepare your heart for obedienceÑand blessing!

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Deuteronomy 1:6-8
Reform your ways and your actions and obey the Lord your God. - Jeremiah 26:13
TODAY IN THE WORD
According to a former army commander, conditions are so bad in the Russian army these days that two out of every three soldiers wear used uniforms and the troops aren't getting paid because the army has run out of money. Some Russian soldiers' wives even lie on the runways to block the airplanes taking their husbands off to duty, because the wives know they will have no money with which to feed their families.

Not exactly the picture of a conquering army, is it? Troops that are ill-prepared for battle will be hard-pressed to take on a formidable enemy and conquer vast amounts of territory.

This is exactly what God asked the Israelites to do, however; but they had no reason to draw back. They did not lack for anything they needed, because their supplier was God Himself. Unfortunately, they had previously rebelled against God's commandÑand almost forty years later Moses warned a new generation against a similar failure.

Verse 6 begins the words of MosesÑthe great sermons of Deuteronomy that review Israel's history and call the people to faithfulness and obedience. Significantly, the first words Moses spoke were a quotation of the words spoken by 'the Lord our God.'

These words are positioned for strong emphasis in the original text, highlighting the covenant-keeping name of God. 'The Lord' is Yahweh, the name by which Moses came to know the God who keeps faith with each generation (Exod. 3:14-15).

God's holy name reminded the Israelites that the covenant He made with them at Sinai was not just a cold legal arrangement. Rather, it was a living word of promise from the living God, who always was intimately involved with His people.

The Lord who established His covenant with Moses at Horeb (Sinai) is the same covenant-keeping God who commanded Israel to 'go in and take possession' of Canaan (Deut. 1:.

Notice the wording here. God had already given the land to His people. They were to take possession of something that had their name on it. Yes, they would have to fight, but was there any doubt of victory if they obeyed God?

Is there any doubt of victory if we obey God?
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
The borders God outlined in today's text reveal that the land to be possessed was a vast piece of property.

But the size of the task should not have thwarted the Israelites. They had seen God bring Egypt to its knees. The size of your God, not the size of your challenge, is the issue in obedience. Put the biggest task facing you this week up against the greatness of God, and then praise Him for His power.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Deuteronomy 1:9-18
Do not be afraid of any man, for judgment belongs to God. - Deuteronomy 1:17
TODAY IN THE WORD
One writer says of the great Scottish reformer John Knox: 'Knox's bold preaching of the Word of God, without fear of what others might say, was his great strength. He firmly believed that everyoneÑmen and women, rulers and subjects alikeÑis subject to the rules of Scripture and the God of Scripture.'

Men of conviction like John Knox were the kind Moses needed in the days after Israel was liberated from Egypt in the Exodus. He needed military commanders, administrators, and judges who feared God and His truths more than anyone or anything else.

The covenant blessing of God on His people was obvious in the way they were multiplying. The task of administering the nation had become too much for Moses alone.

This administrative arrangement was part of Israel's history, but why did Moses mention it here in Deuteronomy, forty years later, as he recalled God's dealings with His people? One Bible commentator has the right idea when he says that Moses was not simply rehashing the past.

Instead, the point of recounting this piece of history is captured in verses 16-18 of today's reading. God wanted the Israelites to do more than just conquer Canaan. His will was that justice and righteousness be established in the land.

That way the Israelite rule in Canaan would be a reflection of their just and righteous God. This alone was enough to make God's people distinct from the pagan nations that inhabited Canaan.

Since Israel would enter the land as soon as Moses had delivered his final sermons, his reminder of God's will for Israel's righteous living was very timely.

The words of Moses were also somewhat of a warning. The Israelites were not to let the opposition of the unrighteous turn them away from administering God's justice. Just as Israel would encounter opposition to their military invasion, they would be opposed in their efforts to administrate in Canaan according to God's righteous standards.

This message still has a timely ring to it today. Our nation needs to hear and to heed God's call to exercise righteous judgment. His standards have not changed.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
The words of the prophet in Isaiah 59:14-15 ring sadly true in America today.

We encourage you to read these powerful verses today and spend a few minutes meditating on them. God cannot ignore the lack of justice, righteousness, and truth at the highest levels in our land. In fact, Isaiah says of unrighteous Israel: 'The Lord looked and was displeased' (Isa. 59:15). After your reading, please join with the Today family in praying for repentance and revival in our nation.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Deuteronomy 1:19-25
See to it . . . that none of you has a
sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the
living God. - Hebrews 3:12
TODAY IN THE WORD
One popular magazine recently featured a story of a teacher who has her third-grade students write letters to themselves. She then saves the letters and mails them back to the students nine years later, as they are finishing high school and getting ready to embark on their lives. The students who receive these letters say they are a source of joy and a valuable connection to their past.

The generation that was hearing Moses' powerful messages in Deuteronomy enjoyed a similar blessing. These Israelites, like those students, were receiving the benefit of insight from the past.

But the similarity ends there, because the Israelites were getting forty years' worth of wisdom, not nine years' worth! And the message was coming not from a letter, but from the mouth of the Almighty God through His servant Moses. All that the people needed to do was to heed the word they were hearing.

Remember, the people to whom Moses spoke were not of the generation that came out of Egypt. These people were the children of the exodus generation, because God had decreed that all those who turned back in unbelief at Kadesh would die in the wildernessÑwith the exceptions of Joshua and Caleb.

In verses 22-25 Moses recounts how the nation sent spies into Canaan. Tomorrow we'll turn to the Book of Numbers to relive that event, which resulted in the fateful consequence of having to turn back into the desert.

The people listening to Moses that day must have felt that he was reading a letter from their past. We can imagine how their parents had told them the story of the spies and the problems that resulted. Forty years' worth of nights in the desert certainly gave Israelite families all the time they needed to recount God's dealings with them.

But all of that was past history. This generation was getting ready to 'graduate,' to enter the Promised Land after many years of disappointment. Moses had previously told their parents: 'Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged' (v. 21).

Unfortunately, the first generation did not heed the exhortation. Their children

now had the same opportunity and duty to believe God and to be strong.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Every parent knows the mixture of anticipation and apprehension that comes when it's time for children to step out and take responsibility for their own spiritual lives.

If you are a parent, you know that you can't live your children's lives for them. Parents can, however, pray diligently for their children. Whether your children are third-graders, high school students, newlyweds, or parents themselves, pray that they will learn the lessons God has for them. And pray for yourself, that your example will help lead them and others in the right direction.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Numbers 13:1-3, 17-33
I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me? - Jeremiah 32:27
TODAY IN THE WORD
There's a reason that most television documentaries about important historical events mix narrative from the participants with flashbacks to the events. Reliving the moment as it happened and then hearing about its importance from those who were there are powerful ways to get a message across.

That's what we hope to do on a smaller scale over the next ten days or so. We want to weave Moses' narrative in Deuteronomy with flashbacks to the events he spoke of, so we can better appreciate the message that God's Word has for us today.

Today is our first historical flashback. Numbers 13 takes us back in time almost forty years before what is recorded in Deuteronomy 1. This story is one of the pivotal points in biblical history. Israel had made the 11-day, 150-mile march from Mount Sinai to the edge of the Promised Land at Kadesh Barnea. All that remained was to enter the land and take possession.

The decision to send twelve spies into Canaan was apparently the people's idea, one that Moses (Deut. 1:22-23) and God agreed to (Num. 13:1-2). God gave the specific command that one man be selected from each tribe. By the way, note the quiet inclusion of Caleb and 'Hoshea,' or Joshua, on that list (Num. 13:6, .

Moses gave the spies very specific instructions on the facts and impressions he wanted them to bring back (vv. 17-20). The men did their jobÑeven bringing back a cluster of grapes from Canaan that was so big two men had to carry it on a pole between them.

The report that the spies brought to Moses started out fine. They told about a 'good land' (Deut. 1:25) that 'flow with milk and honey!' (Num. 13: 27). That shouldn't have surprised anyone. After all, their generous and loving God had prepared this land for His people.

But then came the bad news, at least according to ten of the spies: in a nutshell, the people and the walled cities of Canaan were too big for a band of Israelite shepherd-nomads to handle.

Caleb tried to deliver a positive minority report on behalf of himself and Joshua, but their voices were drowned out by the other spies. The people opted for disobedience, forfeited God's blessing, and brought a death sentence upon themselves.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Are you 'conquered' today, or are you a conqueror?

There's a world of difference between the two. The Israelites were beaten exactly at the point where God was ready to give them victory. When He calls us to do something, the obstacles aren't really the issue. Is God asking you to do something that seems impossible? If He is in it, even giants and walls cannot keep you from being more than a conqueror in Jesus Christ (Rom. 8:37).