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Read Joshua 3:7-17. In this transition of leadership from Moses to Joshua, we find the Hebrews prepared to cross the Jordan into the promised land, knowing they will meet resistance on the other side. Facing the unknown can be very frightening, but it must begin with that first step. In this case, it took gathering a group of trustworthy companions, getting their feet wet, and trusting that God would make a way through, just as God had when they left Egypt and crossed the Red Sea. 

Can you think of a time when you had to take a bold step into something new? What made that difficult or frightening? What gave you the courage to take the first step? Who did you look to for support in stepping into something new? 

In prayer, consider something new God might be calling you into and ask for the courage to take the first step.

Read Psalm 107:1-7, 33-37. In this song of praise, the psalmist remembers God’s faithfulness in bringing the Hebrew people out of the loneliness, danger, and scarcity of the desert into a place of safety and sustenance. There may be times in our lives when we feel as if we are wandering, times when we feel lost, times when we are hungry or thirsty for a word of hope. In moments like these, it may be helpful to look back on past experiences of God delivering us from difficulties by making a way through them. 

When has God delivered you to the other side of a difficult time? What helped you get through it? Who walked beside you through that time? How might remembering God’s faithfulness in the past help you find hope for tomorrow? 

Today, offer a prayer of thanksgiving for God’s faithfulness yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

Read 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13. In this passage, Paul insists that the example of the apostles was just as, or maybe even more so, effective in sharing the gospel message as their teaching. Not only did they hear how to live according to the way of Jesus, but they were shown. Because of this example, the believers at Thessalonica can incorporate what they have seen, turning from idols, and living lives that are “pure, upright, and blameless” in their conduct towards each other, even in the face of persecution. Because the apostles’ words and actions were in line with each other, the message was received whole-heartedly. 

This calls us to consider whether what we say and what we do are in alignment. When have you found that your example and your words aren’t necessarily in sync? What steps might the Spirit be calling you to take to remedy this disconnect? 

In prayer, ask God for the humility to recognize any hypocrisy in your life.

Read Matthew 5:1-12. In the gospel of Matthew, Jesus begins his sermon with 9 statements of blessing. Among this list, we find that God blesses, or comes alongside, those whose attitudes and actions are reflective of God’s heart for the world. Jesus’ description of God’s blessing stands in contrast to the attributes and behaviors the world often rewards. His teaching invites us to reconsider what is truly valuable in this life. No matter how much we may strive for material possessions, no matter how we expect them to make us happy, in the end, they aren’t what really matters. 

What matters are relationships with God and with others where who we are and what we do are reflected back to us. The comfort we have shown others will be shown to us when we, ourselves, are grieving. The mercy we have shown to others will be shown to us when we have gotten it wrong. When we inject peace into conflict, we can rest easy, knowing we have not increased any harm already done and, in fact, may have moved the needle towards reconciliation. 

As you read through the list of beatitudes, which do you feel are descriptive of your life? Which are more difficult to embody? How would you compare and contrast Jesus’ list of blessings with what might be valued in today’s world? 

Today, offer a prayer of thanksgiving for the comfort, mercy, and courage with which God has blessed you over the years.