Joshua 9 & 10: Sun Stood Still
Verse of the Day: (10:13) And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day. 

1. Shoes (9:1-27)
And old shoes and clouted upon their feet, and old garments upon them; and all the bread of their provision was dry and mouldy. (9:5)

Let us first seek God in everything, otherwise, we shall reap the consequences of our disobedience. This was exactly what happened to Joshua and Israel when they sought not God, and was deceived by the Gibeonites who wore old clothes and shoes telling them that they were from a far country. Instead of destroying them as God had commanded them, Israel made allegiance with them. Subsequently, Israel reaped the consequences of their rebellion as the Gibeonites became their perpetual enemies. (Matthew 6:33)

2. Sun (10:1-14)
Then spake Joshua to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sin, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon. (10:12)

God answers prayers when we pray to Him according to His will. As Israel were fighting the 5 kings of the Amorites, Joshua prayed to God to let the sun and the moon stood still, so that they could have more time to destroy their enemies. Indeed, God miraculously answered them, as the sun and moon stood still the whole day until they destroyed all their enemies, except for the 5 kings who escaped and hid in the cave. (Jeremiah 33:3)

3. Stones (10:15-43)
And it came to pass at the time of the going down of the sun, that Joshua commanded, and they took them down off the trees, and cast them into the cave wherein they had been hid, and laid great stones in the cave’s mouth, which remain until this very day. (10:27)

We can never prevail against God as He is the Almighty God. Joshua and Israel came to know that the 5 kings were hiding in the cave, and immediately rolled great stones to block their exit. After they had completely destroyed their enemies, they captured the 5 kings and hanged them upon the trees. They then brought their corpses into the same cave they hid, and covered the entrance with the great stones. Indeed, God helped Israel to overcome all their enemies who were wicked people so as to tell the whole world and you and me that He is the Potter and we are the clay. Whoever believes in Christ shall never perish in fiery hell, but have everlasting life with Him in glorious heaven. (Isaiah 64:8)

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to trust fully You that You can do all things except fail.

Joshua 7 & 8: Fear Not
Verse of the Day: (8:1) And the LORD said unto Joshua, Fear not, neither be thou dismayed: take all the people of war with thee, and arise, go up to Ai: see, I have given into thy hand the king of Ai, and his people, and his city, and his land

1. Few (7:1-26)
And they returned to Joshua, and said unto him, Let not all the people go up; but let about two or three thousand men go up and smite Ai; and make not all the people to labour thither; for they are but few. (7:3)

Why Israel manage to defeat a great city like Jericho, but failed to overcome a small city like Ai? Sins in the camp and complacency! Joshua and Israel thought that they could defeat Ai with only 2,000 to 3,000 men as Ai had only few people, but they failed to realise that it was God who shall grant them victory over their enemies. The reason for the defeat of Ai was that there were sins in the camp, as Achan had stolen and kept the forbidden spoils of their enemies. Subsequently, God revealed to Joshua that Achan from the tribe of Judah was the culprit. Achan, his family and possessions were then stoned and burnt to death. Though Achan was from Judah, and her reputation had been tarnished, yet God did not condemn her, and even blessed her as out of her came forth Jesus, the Saviour of the world. Indeed, God is fair in His dealing with mankind. (Matthew 1:1-3) 

2. Fear (8:1-23)
And the LORD said unto Joshua, Stretch out the spear that is in thy hand toward Ai; for I will give it into thine hand. And Joshua stretched out the spear that he had in his hand toward the city. (8:18)

Just like God commanded Moses to fear not, and to stretch out his hand with his rod, as He miraculously opened the Red Sea to let Israel crossed it dry so as to escape the pursuing Egyptians, He also commanded Joshua to fear not, and to stretch out his hand with his spear, as He shall miraculously defeat Ai for them. Indeed, God taught Moses, Joshua, Israel, you and me, that it is not really the rod or the spear or anything or anyone, but God alone, who shall overcome all our struggles and storms. (Exodus 14:13-22)

3. Fallen (8:24-35)
And it came to pass, when Israel had made an end of slaying all the inhabitants of Ai in the field, in the wilderness wherein they chased them, and when they were all fallen on the edge of the sword, until they were consumed, that all the Israelites returned unto Ai, and smote it with the edge of the sword. (8:24)

Indeed, God gave Joshua and Israel great victory over Ai, as all the people, except their King (who was subsequently hanged) were fallen and destroyed, as they trusted and obeyed Him. They then built an altar before God to thank Him for His great deliverance.

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to fear not, but to trust and obey You and You alone.
 

Joshua 5 & 6: And Joshua Did So
Verse of the Day: (5:15) And the captain of the LORD’s host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so. 

1. Jordan (5:1-8)
And it came to pass, when all the kings of the Amorites, which were on the side of Jordan westward, and all the kings of the Canaanites, which were by the sea, heard that the LORD had dried up the waters of Jordan from before the children of Israel, until we were passed over, that their heart melted, neither was there spirit in them any more, because of the children of Israel. (5:1)

When God is with us, no one, not even the Devil, can be against us. The great enemies of Israel were fearful of them when they heard that God had miraculously dried up the Jordan River for them to cross dry to their territory to fight against them. (Romans 8:31)

2. Joshua (5:9-15)
And the LORD said unto Joshua, This day have I rolled away the reproach of Egypt from off you. Wherefore the name of the place is called Gilgal unto this day. (15:9)

Gilgal means “rolling away”, and God rolled away the shame of Egypt from Israel as they repented their sins of rebellion. God then commanded Joshua to circumcise the young generation who were 19 years and below who survived the 40 years’ wilderness journey, while those 20 years and above, except for Joshua and Caleb, died because of their disobedience. Today, we no longer practise circumcision, but God shall circumcise our hearts to make us holy as we believe in and receive Jesus, His Son, as our personal Saviour. Joshua obeyed God without questioning, and God sent His Captain, Jesus, to encourage him just before he led Israel to their victory over Jericho. (Numbers 14:29-30)

3. Jericho (6:1-27)
And the LORD said unto Joshua, See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valour. (6:2)

God assured Joshua before he even led Israel to overcome Jericho that He had already given Jericho to them. This is God’s promise to every of His children that He shall grant us victory over all our trials, troubles and temptations, as we trust and obey Him. God commanded Joshua and Israel to go round the city of Jericho once for 6 consecutive days, and 7 times on the 7th day, and as the priests would blow the trumpets, and Israel shall shout with a great shout, and the walls shall fall. The wall did fall, and Israel defeated Jericho. Though in the book of Hebrews, God mentions “By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days” yet there was no mention of Joshua’s name when God commends a number of them for their faith. Indeed, it is never about man’s great achievements, but it is all about God, and His great work. (Hebrews 11:30)

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to obey Your commandments without questioning.
 

Joshua 3 & 4: Be Sanctified
Verse of the Day: (3:5) And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: for to morrow the LORD will do wonders among you.

1. Sanctify (3:1-8)
And thou shalt command the priests that bear the ark of the covenant, saying, When ye are come to the brink of the water of Jordan, ye shall stand still in Jordan. (3:8)

Unless we yield our lives to God and let Him sanctify us from all our sins, He cannot use us for His holy work and glory. This was why God commanded Israel through Joshua to sanctify themselves before He would miraculously open the Jordan River so that they could cross it dry into the land of Canaan where they shall then fight against their enemies to possess their Promised Land. God commanded Israel not to panic or worry, but to stand still when they would come to the brink of the water and believe that God shall indeed perform a great miracle for them, and for His glory. Let us therefore be still and sanctify ourselves so that God can use us for His holy work and glory. (Romans 6:13)

2. Soles (3:9-17)
And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests that bear the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all earth, shall rest in the waters of Jordan, that the waters of Jordan shall be cut off from the waters that come down from above; and they shall stand upon an heap. (3:13)

The ark of the LORD represented God, and His command was that when the soles of the priests carrying the ark touched the waters of Jordan River, the waters shall stop flowing and shall stand like a heap. It was beyond their imagination when God did that, and Israel knew that He was indeed the true God, and Joshua was their leader after Moses, whom God also used him to perform the miracle of the opening the Red Sea. (Exodus 14:21-22)

3. Stones (4:1-24)
Then ye shall answer them, That the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it passed over Jordan, the waters of Jordan were cut off: and these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel for ever. (4:7)

We are to bring up our children in the admonition of God, and most importantly share the gospel to them so that they receive Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour, at a young age, as death comes to everyone young or old. This was why God commanded twelve men out of the twelve tribes of Israel to gather a stone each and carry it to the other side where Joshua shall set them up at Gilgal, to remind their children and their future generations of how God had miraculously opened the River Jordan for them to cross dry. (Ephesians 6:4)     

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please sanctify and use me for Your holy work and glory.
 

Joshua 1 & 2: Be Strong
Verse of the Day: (1:6) Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. 

1. Strong (1:1-18)
Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. (1:7)

Why did God keep encouraging Joshua, the successor of Moses, the leader of Israel, to be strong and courageous? It was because Joshua knew that what he was about to do for God was impossible in the human mind. He was to lead Israel to cross the river Jordan and fight the enemies on the other side so as to possess God’s Promised Land. Without boats how could Israel cross the river Jordan? Without swords, spears, shields and armours how could Israel fight the enemies and possess the Land? Yet God encouraged and enabled Joshua that He shall be with him and Israel, and He shall open the river Jordan, just like He had opened the Red Sea for Moses. Indeed God fought for Israel, and they managed to overcome their enemies and possessed the Promised Land. The only thing that Joshua and Israel did was to trust and obey God and His commandments. Indeed, let us trust and obey God, and be strong and courageous, and believe that God is able to help us overcome our struggles and storms, just like He did for the nation of Israel. (Psalms 46)
  
2. Spy (2:1-8)
And Joshua the son of Nun sent out Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into an harlot’s house, named Rahab, and lodged there. (2:1)

Moses and Joshua failed to trust God when they sent out spies to their enemy’s territories. When God promises, He shall deliver, yet man fails to believe in Him. Just like Moses, Joshua send spies to Jericho to assess how great their walls and army were. Though he failed God, yet God still protected his spies, and used Rahab, a prostitute, to help the spies escaped, when the king of Jericho discovered that Israel had sent out spies to infiltrate their land. Though Rahab was an immoral woman, yet when she repented of her sins, and believed in the God of Israel, God used her to delivering the spies. Let us repent of our sins, and God is always faithful to forgive us our sins and to bless us. (1 John 1:9)

3. Save (2:9-24)
And that ye will save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death. (2:13)

As a result of Rahab delivering the spies out of Jericho, and her request to the spies, God delivered her and her entire extended family when Israel defeated Jericho. (Joshua 6:25)

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to be strong even as I go through life’s hardest trial.
 

Deuteronomy 33 & 34: Servant Of The LORD
Verse of the Day: (34:5) So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD.

1. Saints (33:1-25)
Yea, he loved the people; all his saints are in thy hand: and they sat down at thy feet; every one shall receive of thy words. (33:3)

Everyone shall die, and all of us shall have our life stories that people may talk about, and so what is your life story? May our life story be that of Moses, a servant of the LORD, who loved and feared God, though he failed God many times, but God had never failed him, not even once! In Moses’ dying moment, he blessed Israel and all the tribes, and admonished and encouraged them that God truly loved them, His saints and servants, and His rich blessings shall always be upon them and their descendants when they chose to obey and fear Him. However, Moses also reminded and warned them of the grave consequences of their sins and rebellion if they chose to disobey and rebel against Him. God knew Israel including every tribe and every man, and He knows us too, even the number of hairs we have on our head, because He is our Creator. God truly loves us with an everlasting love, and His greatest desire is that we confess and repent our sins, and believe and trust in Him, and He shall be with us forever. However, if we choose to reject God, He shall eternally condemn us to fiery hell. The choice is yours! (Jeremiah 31:1-3)    

2. Shield (33:26-29)
Happy art thou, O Israel: who is like unto thee, O people saved by the LORD, the shield of thy help, and who is the sword of thy excellency! And thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee; and thou shalt tread upon their high places. (33:29)

Moses’ last breath was to encourage Israel to be happy and rejoicing in the Lord knowing that God was their shield, salvation and sword, and He shall always protect, save and fight for them now and forever. Indeed, God is our shield and sun, and He shall grant us grace and glory, and all things to enjoy, as we trust, obey and fear Him. (Psalms 84:9-12)

3. Servant (34:1-12)
And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face, (34:10)

Moses was the greatest prophet because God knew him face to face. Throughout Moses’ life, though he was imperfect, yet he kept fearing the perfect God. Though God forfeited him from entering the Promised Land, because he disobeyed Him by striking instead of speaking to the rock for water to flow out, yet by His grace He promoted him to the perfect Promised Land, His home in Heaven. Indeed, let us be servants of the LORD who fear no one except the LORD and who preach nothing except the LORD. (Galatians 1:10)

Prayer of the Day: 
Dearest God, please help me to be Your servant who always fear and obey You.

Deuteronomy 33 & 34: Servant Of The LORD
Verse of the Day: (34:5) So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD.

1. Saints (33:1-25)
Yea, he loved the people; all his saints are in thy hand: and they sat down at thy feet; every one shall receive of thy words. (33:3)

Everyone shall die, and all of us shall have our life stories that people may talk about, and so what is your life story? May our life story be that of Moses, a servant of the LORD, who loved and feared God, though he failed God many times, but God had never failed him, not even once! In Moses’ dying moment, he blessed Israel and all the tribes, and admonished and encouraged them that God truly loved them, His saints and servants, and His rich blessings shall always be upon them and their descendants when they chose to obey and fear Him. However, Moses also reminded and warned them of the grave consequences of their sins and rebellion if they chose to disobey and rebel against Him. God knew Israel including every tribe and every man, and He knows us too, even the number of hairs we have on our head, because He is our Creator. God truly loves us with an everlasting love, and His greatest desire is that we confess and repent our sins, and believe and trust in Him, and He shall be with us forever. However, if we choose to reject God, He shall eternally condemn us to fiery hell. The choice is yours! (Jeremiah 31:1-3)    

2. Shield (33:26-29)
Happy art thou, O Israel: who is like unto thee, O people saved by the LORD, the shield of thy help, and who is the sword of thy excellency! And thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee; and thou shalt tread upon their high places. (33:29)

Moses’ last breath was to encourage Israel to be happy and rejoicing in the Lord knowing that God was their shield, salvation and sword, and He shall always protect, save and fight for them now and forever. Indeed, God is our shield and sun, and He shall grant us grace and glory, and all things to enjoy, as we trust, obey and fear Him. (Psalms 84:9-12)

3. Servant (34:1-12)
And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face, (34:10)

Moses was the greatest prophet because God knew him face to face. Throughout Moses’ life, though he was imperfect, yet he kept fearing the perfect God. Though God forfeited him from entering the Promised Land, because he disobeyed Him by striking instead of speaking to the rock for water to flow out, yet by His grace He promoted him to the perfect Promised Land, His home in Heaven. Indeed, let us be servants of the LORD who fear no one except the LORD and who preach nothing except the LORD. (Galatians 1:10)

Prayer of the Day: 
Dearest God, please help me to be Your servant who always fear and obey You.

Deuteronomy 31 & 32: Be Strong
Verse of the Day: (31:7) And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou must go with this people unto the land which the LORD hath sworn unto their fathers to give them; and thou shalt cause them to inherit it. 

1. Strong (31:1-15)
Be strong, and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake. (31:6)

Everyone must die, but the most important question is - Do you know where you are going when you die? The world may think that after death, we just vanished and life ceases, but what happen if there is life after death? Indeed, there is a God, the Creator, who creates us, and give us souls, and our souls shall either be with Him in heaven when we believe in Him, or without Him in hell when we reject Him. Moses shared with Israel that he was dying, and he endorsed Joshua to be his successor. Moses assured Joshua to be strong, because God shall fight for them, and grant them great victory. (Joshua 1:1-9) 

2. Song (31:16-30)
Now therefore write ye this song for you, and teach it the children of Israel: put in in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for me against the children of Israel. (31:19)

God’s last command to Moses was that he shall write a song to teach Israel to worship and praise Him for who He was, and what he had miraculously done for them, especially saving their souls, the opening of the Red sea so that they be freed from the Egyptians, providing all their needs in the wilderness, and preparing them to cross the river Jordan dry so that they could overcome their enemies and possess their Promised Land. Indeed, spiritual songs are important in our worship of God as they prepare our hearts to thank Him for who He is, and what He has done for, in, through and with us. (Colossians 3:16)

3. Salvation (32:1-52)
But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered with fatness; then he forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation. (32:15)

It was tragic that as God blessed and prospered Jeshurun (Israel), they became proud, and forsook Him, and worship the idols of the world. God judged and chastised them for their sins and pride. They failed to see that God was their Rock of salvation, and without Him, they were nothing, and they had nothing. Indeed, there is no other name, except Jesus Christ, God’s Son, who has the power to save us from our sins and eternal condemnation, and richly bless us with abundant life with Him in His home in heaven. (Romans 1:16)

Prayer of the Day: 
Dearest God, please help me to be strong and fear not as I go through life storms.

Deuteronomy 29 & 30: God Will Circumcise Thine Heart
Verse of the Day: (30:6) And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live. 

1. Covenant (29:1-29)
These are the words of the covenant, which the LORD commanded Moses to make with the children of Israel in the land of Moab, beside the covenant which he made with them in Horeb. (29:1)

God’s covenant with Israel was that He shall bless and prosper them when they chose to keep His words. However, God’s anger and curses shall be upon them when they chose to rebel against Him. God warned Israel the severity of His judgment upon them, just like He destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah with brimstone and fire when they rebelled against Him. Today, God’s covenant is still with Israel, and He is waiting for them to repent their sins and turn to Him, so that His blessings shall be upon them. We, who are the Gentiles, too have God’s covenant, when we believe in Jesus, God’s Son, and He shall not only forgive us of our sins, but give us everlasting life with Him in heaven. (Romans 10:9-11)     

2. Circumcise (30:1-14)
And it shall come to pass, when all these things are come upon thee, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before thee, and thou shalt call them to mind among all the nations, whither the LORD thy God hath driven thee, (30:1)

To sum up God’s dealing with Israel – God’s great and abundant blessings shall be upon them when they trust and obey Him, while His judgement and curses shall be upon them when they reject and rebel against Him. Let us therefore trust and obey God, and He shall circumcise our hearts, so that we shall love Him with all our hearts and souls. Indeed, when we trust and obey God, not only we shall receive His blessings, even our children shall receive them, when we encourage them to believe in Him. (Colossians 3:20-21) 

3. Choose (30:15-20)
I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: (30:19)

God is our Creator, and He makes us in His image so that we have choices and are not just robots. However, the first man and woman failed God when they chose to disobey Him, and henceforth, all have sinned and come short of His holiness. However, God has a salvation plan for man that whoever believes in Him shall never perish in hell but have everlasting life with Him in heaven. Let us choose to believe and obey Him, like Joshua, who proclaimed that, as for him and his family, they shall serve the LORD. (Joshua 24:15)

Prayer of the Day: 
Dearest God, thank You for circumcising my heart when I believe and trust in You.

Deuteronomy 27 & 28: THE LORD THY GOD
Verse of the Day: (28:58) If thou wilt not observe to do all the word of this law that are written in this book, that thou mayest fear this glorious and fearful name, THE LORD THY GOD.

1. Law (27:1-26)
And thou shalt write upon them all the words of this law, when thou art passed over, that thou mayest go in unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, a land that floweth with milk and honey; as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee. (27:3)

God’s law is perfect as He uses them to convert souls to Himself of those who believe in Him. God assured Israel that He shall lead them to cross the river Jordan dry, and fight against their enemies, and give them victory, so that they shall inherit their Promised that was overflowing with milk and honey, when they fully trusted and obeyed Him. Indeed, God’s law is to be desired than fine gold, and it is sweeter than honey, as we read and apply its principles in our lives, and therewith receiving His blessings. (Psalms 19:7-14)

2. LORD (28:1-59)
And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: (28:1)

God truly loves Israel as He promises them that He shall exalt them above all nations of the world, and bless them both materially and spiritually when they humble themselves, pray, seek His face, and turn from their wicked ways. He also promises them that He shall bless their labour, and open His good treasure of rain from heaven upon their land, so that they shall have bountiful and plentiful harvest not only for themselves, but also to lend to others, rather than borrow from them. However, time and again, Israel sinned and rebelled against God, and they were judged, chastised, and now they are scattered all over the world. Indeed, let us humble ourselves, pray, seek God and turn from our wicked ways, so that we shall receive His rich blessings and perfect peace. (2 Chronicles 7:14)

3. Life (28:60-68)
And thy life shall hang in doubt before thee; and thou shalt fear day and night, and shalt have none assurance of thy life: (28:66)

God warned Israel that they shall live in doubt and fear, when they refused to acknowledge and believe in Him that He is their true and living God. Indeed, God shall grant us abundant and everlasting lives when we fully trust and obey Him, otherwise we shall be eternally condemned if we keep rejecting and rebelling against Him. (John 10:10)

Prayer of the Day: 
Dearest God, please help me to trust and obey You, the LORD, my GOD.