Unknown: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: Joshua 9

“‘And now we are in your hand; do as it seems good and right in your sight to do to us.’ This is what he did for them; he saved them from the Israelites; and they did not kill them. But on that day Joshua made them hewers of wood and drawers of water for the congregation and for the altar of the Lord, to continue to this day, in the place that he should chose.” Joshua 9: 25-27

Like Rahab the Gibeonites believed in the words God had spoken and feared greatly for their lives. Unlike Rahab, instead of standing up and making a verbal contract, they used guile and deception to save their lives. They also hoped that the Israelites would honor a covenant because of their God.

And they did. “We have sworn to them by the Lord, the God of Israel, and now we must not touch them.” Joshua knew that the word they gave to others had to be upheld. Especially because it was their own error that created this dilemma. Once again they had not sought the Lord’s counsel but negotiated solely on human perception—on surface appearances.

I cringe too at how many times I continue to act on my own before seeking the Lord’s counsel, how often I think I have everything under control and instead bring embarrassment to the Lord’s name.

Yet the Lord blessed both Israelites and Gibeonites because they both trusted His words. Israel’s leaders experienced another important lesson in leadership and the Gibeonites not only kept their physical lives but were also given the means to discover the spiritual life of Israel as well. They worked for the house of God. Every day they would now see faith lived out.

They were willing to face the unknown. They believed God’s promises to Israel before they even had any relationship with the Lord. Now they had a lifetime to learn who He was. Somewhat like us, I think, when we first step out in faith. And God changes us from the inside out cutting away the sin that we carry—the sin we often do not even recognize.

The Gibeonites admitted to Joshua that he would do with them whatever he chose, but even if they died right then, they wanted to die under God’s words of truth—or be slaves under His words if in fact they would live.

Lord, please give us eyes to see You as clearly today.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 129: 4

“The Lord is righteous; he has cut the cords of the wicked.”

Servanthood: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Servanthood

Unhewn stone

untouched by iron

not shaped by man’s hand

nor human purpose

instead an offering

imbued with obedience

regardless of cost

relinquished grasp

willing to accept

without dissent

God’s chosen path

grace extended to all

sin destroyed

sanctification begins.

Reflection Unhewn: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     What might be the equivalent of an unhewn stone for us in worship today?

2.     Do you think it’s possible to experience this or have we made our worship too man-shaped?

3.     Are there barriers towards hearing God’s word spoken that we resist them for ourselves. Or for others?

4.     Even the small children were included in the reading. How do we tend to filter theology according to age, whether literally or as new believers?

Share: What word have you heard spoken to you this week that caused you to worship?

Unhewn: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: Joshua 8

“All Israel, alien as well as citizen, …. There was not a word of all that Moses commanded that Joshua did not read before all the assembly of Israel, and the women, and the little ones, and the aliens who resided among them.” Joshua 8: 33 & 35

Once again Israel went into a terrible battle under God’s orders, but this time no one lied, or stole, or disobeyed, despite the challenge and destruction. They did exactly as the Lord had ordered and as a result the whole of Israel received a blessing.

First worship—an unhewn stone—untouched by iron—a pure altar. Then a community side-by-side, that encompassed women and children and foreigners—no one present excluded—all given as equals. Then the full reading of the Law—all the words God had given Moses now given to Israel. God’s gift of identity, of relationship, of covenant.

I can’t help but wonder how willing am I to completely destroy all the false in me that still resists obedience to God’s redeeming power. Am I truly willing to open up to His redemptive grace or too willing to settle for easy and familiar?

Lord, please help us to be shaped by Your hand and not by our own man-made imitations. Give us Your strength to stand before You in complete obedience to all Your words—at Your altar—with courage to receive Your blessings and then to share them.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 128: 2

“You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands;

you shall be happy and it shall go well with you.”

Restore: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Restore

One man broke faith

could not restrain himself

from forbidden spoil

caused innocent deaths

allies, animals, family,

children—all died

for his sin.

What blinds each of us to break

our bound word?

One man built faith

came to pour himself out

for all mankind

created reconciliation

as grace, mercy, given,

chose to die—to give

forgiveness.

              

Reflection Restraint: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     What is the difference between the Lord ‘building’ your house and you building your house with the Lord’s help?

2.     In what areas of your life do you find yourself chafing against God’s directions or boundaries?

3.     Forbidden spoils may be different for each of us in our relationship with God. In what ways can good things become blind to our promises?

4.     Self-centered choices almost always affect others. In what ways has a choice you made badly affected those you love, or how has someone you love hurt you by their actions?

Share: How has the Lord restored you when that restraint broke?

Restraint: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: Joshua 7

“Israel has sinned; they have transgressed my covenant that I imposed on them. They have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen. They have acted deceitfully, and they have put them among their own belongings.” Joshua 7:10

This is such a difficult passage to process as we come from a perspective of God’s eternal grace because of our Savior’s love and sacrifice. To stand back and see such death, with innocents included—perhaps as much as we see today in news headlines around the world, is sobering.

The confusion is intensified by the miracles Israel had recently witnessed. They could not have doubted God’s power. Did they think one man’s actions would not be noticed? That he could get away with it? Do we? Do I? Just a little bit of insurance that come a rainy day he and his family would have means.

It reminds me of one college essay assignment my students and I researched and debated several years ago as to the acceptance or not re telling white lies. We began with, “Wasn’t it okay to give a compliment if it would bring happiness?” As we dug deeper into the white lies more and more real lie damage and repercussions became apparent. The topic became even more muddled than I had anticipated and according to my students’ essays, their responses reflected that. Whichever position they took, they based their stance on social mores, family values, personal experience, and sometimes religion—but no personal walk with God.

In our society sin too has often become glossed over and hidden. How would we react to our own cravings small and large if we too visually saw the abhorrence in God’s eyes and the consequences immediately?

We have received the amazing gift of grace and know we can bring our failures to the cross. But sometimes it takes us awhile to recognize that our choices and actions have caused damage to those around us—hurt feelings, broken relationships, lost trust, and sometimes shattered lives.

When I insist I can manage wholly on my own, making my own choices and decisions, and just check in with the Lord when I’m stuck, then I’m walking on shifting sand. And I sink.

Lord, whenever we begin to chafe against Your restraints, please remind us that Your boundaries are shaped by sacrificial love and seek Your will instead.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 127:1-2

“Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.

Unless the Lord guards the city, the guard keeps watch in vain.

It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest,

eating the bread of anxious toil;

for he gives sleep to his beloved.”