Watching Daily At Wisdom's Gates

 Joshua 1:9 ESV Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” When we think of God's commands, we might think of not murdering or committing adultery for example. This isn't just a negative prohibition here though. It is a positive call to action. God doesn't want us weak and cowardly. He wants us strong and courageous. The new testament goes as far as to say that the cowardly won't inherit eternal life. There's no need to be frightened and dismayed if we're mindful of God's presence with us. Joshua was going to take over Canaan. Israel was punching above its weight; yet with God they were invincible. We are called to make Christ known to an unbelieving and hostile world. God's charge to Joshua is ours too. 'With Christ in the vessel' we don't have to fear the storms of life. 'Awesome God, thank you that we don't need to be weak, co...

 Romans 12:21 ESV  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Our gut reaction when someone does evil to us is to do evil back to them- with interest! The problem is that when we do so, we're allowing ourselves to be overcome by evil. We should leave revenge to God. Nowadays, a common response to perceived evils is to 'ghost' or to 'cancel' someone. The Apostle Paul seems to suggest that that's probably not the best reaction. Instead, we should strive to do good to those who do evil to us. Elsewhere we're told to feed and water our enemies. In so doing well metaphorically 'heap burning coals' on them. We make them feel guilty about their evils towards us. Jesus is the ultimate example of this verse. He seemed to be overcome by evil at the cross. Yet at the resurrection he overcame evil with hope for all who trust in him. 'God, please help us to overcome evil with good. Thank you that you have, in Christ crucified, in whose name we a...

 2 Peter 3:9 ESV The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.  Many people scoff at the idea that Jesus will return. It's been 2,000 years and he still hasn't. Yet with God a thousand years is like a day: he's everlasting. The Apostle Peter gives one of the main reasons Jesus doesn't return yet. Once Jesus returns there'll be no opportunity for salvation. So God is waiting for everyone to be saved who he has appointed for such a blessing. This fact means that we as God's people should be busy about working for Jesus in making him known. Then others can come to faith in him. It's amazing that God would choose to use us to fulfil his purposes. God isn't some sadistic, vindictive person who wants us all to burn in hell. He doesn't want anyone to perish. Yet he respects our decisions if we reject him. 'God, we're glad of you...