JOSHUA 23 ON RESPONDING TO GOD’S LOVE

June 21

JOSHUA 23

3 And you have seen all that the Lord your God has done to all these nations for your sake, for it is the Lord your God who has fought for you. 4 Behold, I have allotted to you as an inheritance for your tribes those nations that remain, along with all the nations that I have already cut off, from the Jordan to the Great Sea in the west. 5 The Lord your God will push them back before you and drive them out of your sight. And you shall possess their land, just as the Lord your God promised you. 6 Therefore, be very strong to keep and to do all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, turning aside from it neither to the right hand nor to the left, 7 that you may not mix with these nations remaining among you or make mention of the names of their gods or swear by them or serve them or bow down to them, 8 but you shall cling to the Lord your God just as you have done to this day. 9 For the Lord has driven out before you great and strong nations. And as for you, no man has been able to stand before you to this day. 10 One man of you puts to flight a thousand, since it is the Lord your God who fights for you, just as he promised you. 11 Be very careful, therefore, to love the Lord your God. 12 For if you turn back and cling to the remnant of these nations remaining among you and make marriages with them, so that you associate with them and they with you, 13 know for certain that the Lord your God will no longer drive out these nations before you, but they shall be a snare and a trap for you, a whip on your sides and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from off this good ground that the Lord your God has given you.

                                                                                         – Joshua 23:3-13

JOSHUA 23 ON RESPONDING TO GOD’S LOVE

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When you receive a love that is unconditional and faithful

Wouldn’t you respond with the same passion and devotion?

The Lord your God has done everything by fighting for you

He remained devoted to you; shouldn’t you do the same?

Be careful to follow your God’s commands or you’ll fall

Obey his laws so you can be sure that you won’t be trapped

Respond to God’s love by making him your priority

You will receive many blessings and have victory.

When someone loves you dearly, you usually cannot resist but reciprocate the same love you received. But because of our sinful nature, some of us would not respond with reciprocity. In this account, Joshua was already in his old age and exhorting the Israelites to remember what God has done for them. He reminded them of the faithful love of the Lord. God dealt with all their enemies and made sure that they were going to possess the land that was promised to them. Just like a husband expects the wife to be faithful to him, God also expects the same devotion from his people. Without obedience to God’s laws, it is impossible for them to have victory over their enemies. It is God who will fight for them. It is their obedience that will ensure the promises are fulfilled.

REFLECTION

  • Why do you think obedience is a main ingredient in showing our love for God?

PSALM 143 TRUST IN GOD’S STEADFAST LOVE

June 20

PSALM 143

7 Answer me quickly, O Lord! My spirit fails. Hide not your face from me,
    lest I be like those who go down to the pit.
8 Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust.
Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.

9 Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord! I have fled to you for refuge.
10 Teach me to do your will, for you are my God!
   Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground!

11 For your name’s sake, O Lord, preserve my life!
    In your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble!
12 And in your steadfast love you will cut off my enemies,
    and you will destroy all the adversaries of my soul, for I am your servant.

                                                                                        – Psalm 143:7-12

PSALM 143 TRUST IN GOD’S STEADFAST LOVE

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When you trust in God’s steadfast love, you are a victor

No enemy will be able to hurt or defeat you

Come and worship the Lord who is faithful and steadfast

He is your shield and your refuge in times of trials

In his steadfast love, you will be able to crush your enemies

Your faithful God will ensure your strength, protection and victory

Trust in God’s steadfast love and you will never go down to the pit

You will be delivered from anyone who hurts you; they’ll be defeated.

Have you ever been with someone who is constantly faithful and reliable? There is no one else who could give you assurance as God could provide. Even though you don’t see him, he will make himself present to you especially if you continue to rely and be in communion with him. One of the main manifestations of a true Christian is trust and reliance in God. It is an oxymoron to see a believer who is self-sufficient or independent. In fact, anyone who is self-sufficient would most likely never consult the Lord or run to him in trouble. They will do their best to come up with their own solutions to situations and problems and forget that someone else is much in control of their situations. They are fixers and proud to prove that they can do anything. Unknowingly, they are actually insinuating that they can be on their own. That is exactly the opposite of a believer. A child of God never does anything on his own strength. That person always seeks God’s word where he will get counsel and wisdom to do what is right in his situation.  There is no arrogance but humility to admit that relying on God’s steadfast love will make all the difference with whatever situations or adversities he will face. Man can’t assure but God can because he is steadfast in his love for us.

REFLECTION

  • Share insights as to the difference between man’s way of loving against God’s steadfast love.

ISAIAH 43 GOD’S ASSURING LOVE

June 19

ISAIAH 43

But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;   I have called you by name, you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;

   and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
  when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,  

  and the flame shall not consume you.
3 For I am the Lord your God,  the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
I give Egypt as your ransom, Cush and Seba in exchange for you.
4 Because you are precious in my eyes,   and honored, and I love you,
I give men in return for you,   peoples in exchange for your life.
5 Fear not, for I am with you;  I will bring your offspring from the east,
    and from the west I will gather you.6 I will say to the north, Give up,
    and to the south, Do not withhold; bring my sons from afar
    and my daughters from the end of the earth,7 everyone who is called by my name,
    whom I created for my glory,  whom I formed and made.”– Isaiah 43:1-7

ISAIAH 43 GOD’S ASSURING LOVE

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

There is no other love greater than how God loves us

It is a love that is precious and makes us so secure

It protects the loved one from harm and destruction

It does not condemn nor judge our unintentional actions

God’s love treasures those whom he has chosen

It always thinks of what is best for his beloved people

God’s assuring love will cast all kinds of fear

It strengthens his children & to depend on him.

How do you know if you are truly loved? With human beings, we can never truly know because we are all fallen and sinful in our nature. But God’s love is assuring. We know this when we have peace about our lives despite all that is happening around us. If God has chosen you as one of his own, he will make his love present in your heart. Your mind may not know it but deep inside you will have contentment. God’s love fills you. You won’t feel empty despite all that you are going through. You have a sense that you are not alone because he is always there to protect, guide and provide for you.

This account gives us a glimpse of God’s assuring love for his people. All the “fear nots” promises given in this prophetic book are evidence of how much we are all loved. If only many of us know who God is and how much he has provided and given us, we probably will never complain or whine or be dissatisfied. We will be ecstatic to know that we are precious in God’s eyes and considered his prized possession.

REFLECTION

·       What assurances from God’s love have been clearly manifested in your life as a believer?

LEVITICUS 19 WHAT LOVING YOUR NEIGHBOR IS

June 18

LEVITICUS 19

9 “When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap your field right up to its edge, neither shall you gather the gleanings after your harvest. 10 And you shall not strip your vineyard bare, neither shall you gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard. You shall leave them for the poor and for the sojourner: I am the Lord your God.11 “You shall not steal; you shall not deal falsely; you shall not lie to one another. 12 You shall not swear by my name falsely, and so profane the name of your God: I am the Lord.

13 “You shall not oppress your neighbor or rob him. The wages of a hired worker shall not remain with you all night until the morning. 14 You shall not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block before the blind, but you shall fear your God: I am the Lord.15 “You shall do no injustice in court. You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor. 16 You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not stand up against the life of your neighbor: I am the Lord. 17 “You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him. 18 You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.– Leviticus 19:9-18

LEVITICUS 19 WHAT LOVING YOUR NEIGHBOR IS

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

If you are a child of God, you will love your neighbor

You will think of others’ welfare and help them prosper

You will not take advantage of them or steal from them

You’ll give them what they deserve and never delay your help

To love your neighbor is to never be impartial towards them

You must treat them fairly and do your best to show justice

Never revenge or bear a grudge against one another

God has loved you; so, make sure you pass on this love to others.

Some scholars believe that the book of Leviticus was written by Moses but some claim that it may have been a compilation of ancient laws. If you know the Lord your God, you will probably recognize that this is the voice of God talking through Moses about what his law of loving your neighbor actually means.

By giving detailed examples of how this law looks like if followed, we get a clear picture if we are truly going to follow this law of love. In verses 9-10, Moses talks about leaving some of their harvest for the poor to glean on or gather from. According to sources, in ancient times, gleaning is a mandated agricultural practice of leaving leftover crops in the fields, vineyards or orchards for the widows, the orphans and foreigners to collect.  It only shows their love and concern for those who are unable to provide themselves because of their status in life. Verse 11 mentions stealing and lying and not deal falsely with each other. Verse 12 talks about not taking God’s name in vain. Verse 13 speaks about oppression and verse 14 is not cursing others but fearing the Lord. This account also mentions injustice, slandering, hating and avenging. This is an explanation of the ten commandments of God given to Moses.

REFLECTION

·       What among the prohibitions in this account have the world taken for granted?

PSALM 63 THE STEADFAST LOVE OF THE LORD

June 17

PSALM 63

O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you;
my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
2 So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary,    beholding your power and glory.
3 Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.
4 So I will bless you as long as I live;  in your name I will lift up my hands.

5 My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food,

    and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips,

6 when I remember you upon my bed,
    and meditate on you in the watches of the night;

7 for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings,

 I will sing for joy.8 My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.

                                                                                – Psalm 63:1-8

PSALM 63 THE STEADFAST LOVE OF THE LORD

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When you have been chosen by the Lord to be his child

You will experience his amazing grace and infinite love

The steadfast love of the Lord is much better than life

If you experience it, you will never be the same again

God loves you with a faithful and unwavering love

It is an unfathomable love that overflows with grace

You will hunger and thirst for this love that he gives

It will make you praise him for as long as you live.

If anyone who do not know God reads this psalm of David, that person would maybe liken it to two lovers or a husband and a wife’s relationship. It is undeniable from the tone of the psalm the wonderful love between the two people. There is reciprocity in that ardent and passionate affection and admiration they the two have for each other. Isn’t this why Christ and his bride, the church, is always referred to as a relationship as in a marriage. In Revelation 19:6-9, we hear of the marriage supper of the lamb in which the saints will be clothed in white linen to be married to Christ. This must be the reason why God himself instituted marriage when he made Adam and Eve when the two becomes one.

In this psalm, David gives us a sense of a passionate and ardent love he has for God where he constantly longs and pines for his Lord. He declares his love for God as if he wouldn’t be able to live without his presence. This is what two people get into when they vowed to love one another in marriage. They are no longer two but one. This must be the reason why widows’ and widowers’ losses are considered one of the gravest losses one can ever experience because the oneness becomes dissolved from death. Even divorce between the couple can bear much painful grief because of the breaking of the union.

REFLECTION

·       How does God’s steadfast love lead a believer to worship and praise the Lord?

DEUTERONOMY 7 IF YOU LOVE YOU CAN COMMIT

June 16

DEUTERONOMY 7

6 “For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. 7 It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the Lord set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples, 8 but it is because the Lord loves you and is keeping the oath that he swore to your fathers, that the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. 9 Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations, 10 and repays to their face those who hate him, by destroying them. He will not be slack with one who hates him. He will repay him to his face. 11 You shall therefore be careful to do the commandment and the statutes and the rules that I command you today.

                                                                                        – Deuteronomy 7:6-11

DEUTERONOMY 7 IF YOU LOVE YOU CAN COMMIT

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

The Lord God loves you and is committed to stay faithful

Because of that love, he will never abandon you

If you were chosen by him, you will be able to love him back

He is the giver of everything including your ability to love

If you love God, you will commit to serve and obey him

That is the sign that you are renewed to resist sin.

This account written by Moses was about God’s command to the Israelites to conquer the land that he had promised his people. They were instructed by God to completely annihilate the Canaanites and prohibited them from yoking with them so they can be pure and holy as God intended them to be. Do you ever wonder why God didn’t just give them the Promised land that had no inhabitants in it? I think that God has provided everything for them when he freed them out of the land of Egypt and throughout their journey in the wilderness. Since God made a covenant with them, they had a part to play in the relationship. God has equipped all his people with all the abilities to conquer these pagans, so the part that Israel was required to do as part of this agreement was to obey God’s laws and instructions so that they can finally occupy the land that was promised to them. God isn’t an enabler and a spoiler. He had to teach them to depend on him, but the obedience and trust was what was expected of them. But we know how this story went; they disobeyed God and mixed themselves with the pagans. This resulted in their unfaithfulness to God by serving the other pagan gods of those whom they intermarried.

Moses reminds them of the faithful and steadfast love that God has for his people and how God keeps his promises to them. Their obedience and loyalty are what is expected of them.

REFLECTION

·       How do you manifest your commitment as a child of God?

JEREMIAH 31 GOD’S EVERLASTING LOVE

June 15

JEREMIAH 31

“At that time, declares the Lord, I will be the God of all the clans of Israel, and they shall be my people.”2 Thus says the Lord:

“The people who survived the sword found grace in the wilderness;
 when Israel sought for rest, 3 the Lord appeared to him from far away.
  I have loved you with an everlasting love;

 Therefore, I have continued my faithfulness to you.
4 Again I will build you, and you shall be built, O virgin Israel!
Again you shall adorn yourself with tambourines

and shall go forth in the dance of the merrymakers.
5 Again you shall plant vineyards on the mountains of Samaria;
   the planters shall plant and shall enjoy the fruit.

                                                                                        – Jeremiah 31:1-5

JEREMIAH 31 GOD’S EVERLASTING LOVE

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

Because God is the Maker of the heavens and the earth

He is the Only One who can give us a love that is everlasting

When you acknowledge him as your God, you will grow

He will make sure that you will reap what you have sown

He is a God of promises and he always keeps them all

He will restore you if you were broken and went through trials

His everlasting love will heal your wounds and give your life back

Come to him and you will experience his everlasting love.

In the world, we can never find any kind of lasting love. That is because we live in a fallen world. But in this account, Jeremiah pronounces how God is getting back his beloved people and restoring them from all the judgments they have experienced from their own unfaithfulness to him. We witness a God of restoration here. We see the merciful and loving God that the Lord is. No matter how far gone his people were, he still kept his part of his covenant promise. He promised them restorative years after all that they have gone through.

If we can only have that kind of love, this world will be a better place to live in. Many of us find it very hard to forgive those who have wronged us, let alone restore the relationship to how it was. God promised that he will forever love his people. As David says in Psalm 103:12 “As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” Can you ever forgive someone who has wronged you? If you reflect and meditate on how God gives us that merciful and everlasting love, wouldn’t you also give that same grace that he gives his people so generously?

REFLECTION

  • How should God’s people receive such everlasting love of God?

ROMANS 12 GENUINE LOVE

June 14

ROMANS 12

9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. – Romans 12:9-21

ROMANS 12 GENUINE LOVE

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

To love genuinely means to hold on fast to what is good

It is seen when one is kind, not easily angered or rude

Genuine love is not self-centered but thinks of his neighbor

It is unconditional and always look after others’ welfare

It is patient, hospitable and always seek harmony

It does not keep a record of wrongs but forgives easily

Genuine love does not think highly of himself

It is manifested in genuine interest in others.

Paul writes to the church in Rome about genuine love in this letter. Paul addresses the believers in Rome that when they became a part of Jesus’ family. The Romans viewed love very differently from how they used to know it before they knew Christ. Paul stipulated some guidelines to follow so that they could exercise genuine love among themselves instead of the old way they expressed love.

What did Paul mean in verse 9? According to sources, the word genuine in Hebrew is “emet” – which is truth. This is the root. It carries a heavier cultural weight than simple factual accuracy. It signifies total honesty, personal integrity, and spiritual authenticity.  Another Hebrew word for it is “firgun.” While not a direct translation of the English word “genuine,” this is a uniquely meaningful Hebrew word that captures “genuine, unselfish delight or pride in the accomplishment of another” without any hint of jealousy. So, when Paul calls them to genuine love, it involves a big responsibility rather than just a feeling or emotion.  No one can be able to exercise genuine love if they do not serve and know the Lord Jesus Christ because the love that the world knows is self-focused and transactional which is the opposite of what God expects from his people. Paul challenges them to outdo one another in giving genuine love.

REFLECTION

  • Can an unbeliever show genuine love? Why or why not?

ZEPHANIAH 3 GOD’S LOVE CANCELS FEAR

June 13

                                                                         ZEPHANIAH 3

14 Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel!
   Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem!
15 The Lord has taken away the judgments against you;

   he has cleared away your enemies. The King of Israel, the Lord,

   is in your midst; you shall never again fear evil.
16 On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: “Fear not,

    O Zion; let not your hands grow weak.
17 The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save;
    he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love;

    he will exult over you with loud singing.

18 I will gather those of you who mourn for the festival,

     so that you will no longer suffer reproach. – Zephaniah 3:14-18

ZEPHANIAH 3 GOD’S LOVE CANCELS FEAR

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

If you only knew how much God loves you

You wouldn’t listen to the lies from this world

The prince of this world creates fear of many things

By accommodating this fear, we become prone to sins

If you believe in God, you will discern what is wrong and evil

You will not entertain lies, but expose every tactic of the devil

God’s love cancels fear in every part of your being

It replaces fear with overflowing love and assurance.

According to bibleproject.com the prophet Zephaniah lived during King Josiah’s reign in the southern kingdom of Judah. Josiah attempted to bring change in the land with the removal of idols and restoration of the temple but by that point, however, Israel was already too far gone, as the worship of other gods was too entrenched in the people’s lives. Josiah’s pride led him to a tragic death on the battlefield (2 Chronicles 35:20-25) and so Jerusalem was set on a collision course with Babylon. Zephaniah had seen all this coming and had been warning the leaders of Jerusalem for years. 

The third section of this book, which chapter 3 is, explores the hope that remains for the nations and Jerusalem on the other side of judgment.” Zephaniah talks about the love of God for Israel despite their rebellion and idolatry. God pulled out the evil ones among his people and left those who were faithful to him. In this last chapter, the prophet declares to the remnant of Israel the hope that comes with their faithfulness to God. God cancels out their fear and reassures them in verse 15 that he set them aside by clearing their enemies. In verse 17 the prophet reassured them that the Lord will never forsake them and be appeased by God’s love. In verse 18, they were promised that they won’t be shamed anymore.

REFLECTION

·       What reassurances can a believer derive from this account in the book of Zephaniah?

1 JOHN 3 PROOF OF TRUE LOVE

June 12

1 JOHN 3

16 By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. 17 But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? 18 Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.19 By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; 20 for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything. 21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; 22 and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. 23 And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. 24 Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us. – 1 John 3:16-24

1 JOHN 3 PROOF OF TRUE LOVE

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

How do you know if you are truly loved?

It is easy to say so but you need proofs

When someone says they do love you but don’t show it

That isn’t true love according to the Holy Spirit

Laying down one’s life for the beloved is clear evidence

It shows that they’ve made the other more important

When you truly love someone, you make them first

You begin to prioritize the beloved more than yourself.

So many marriages fail because someone or both of the persons in the relationship have no clue what true love really is and a lack of proof of that love, they claim to have for the other. The world has corrupted the concept of “love” with romantic jargons and unrealistic love. The television, movie, social media and literary industries have lied to us about what love is. We grew up in fairy tales with the happy ever-after endings which have greatly distorted our view of love since we were kids. I am a testament to this world system’s corruption of the true meaning of love. If only the world presented “love” the way that God meant it to be, there would probably be less damaged relationships. We live in a broken world with a corrupt system, so we need a true navigation system that will lead us to the right path to love.

John gives us the true meaning and proof of love in this account. He says in verse 16 that the evidence of true love is in laying down one’s life for the loved one. In verse 17, he mentions that being sensitive to the needs of the beloved and attending to those needs is highly indicative of the presence of God’s love in that person. In verse 18, the other proof is by manifesting in their deeds what they claim to be love to that person. In verse 23-24, faith and obedience are the other proofs of love for the Lord. Why did John mention these two proofs? Without God’s gift of love, we cannot believe or obey him, thus, we cannot manifest true love without knowing and serving our Lord Jesus Christ.

REFLECTION

·       How can a believer correct his wrong notion of love? Can an unbeliever understand true love?