Day 105

Joshua 11:1–12:24; Luke 17:11-37; Psalm 84:1-12; Proverbs 13:5-6

YESTERDAY, WE READ of Israel’s conquest of the southern portion of the Promised Land. Ironically, this conquest came about thanks to a deceptive peace treaty, which unsettled the region. The victory in the south completely unnerved the kings of the north. The dominant king was Jabin of Hazor. The elaborate ruins of this prevalent city remain until today. King Jabin used his influence to summon every nearby kingdom. The problem of Israel needed to be dealt with once and for all, and so Jabin assembled a massive horde, intending to annihilate the people of God.

The children of Israel were vastly outnumbered, but God spoke to Joshua: “Do not be afraid of them. By this time tomorrow I will hand all of them over to Israel as dead men” (Joshua 11:6).

Once again, Joshua led Israel into battle, surprising the amassing troops and defeating them. Thirty-one kings were conquered in the battles Israel fought for the Promised Land, and although we are not finished with the story, at this point, the vast majority of the Promised Land is in the hands of the Israelites.

Jesus also spoke of kingdoms in our reading from Luke’s Gospel, but He talked about a different kind of kingdom altogether: “The Kingdom of God can’t be detected by visible signs. You won’t be able to say, ‘Here it is!’ or ‘It’s over there!’ For the Kingdom of God is already among you” (Luke 17:20-21).

We should stop and read Jesus’ words once again —and then compare what He said with what we’ve assumed God’s Kingdom would look like. Most of us are expecting a Kingdom that is yet to come —one in which God will defeat the darkness and rule and reign forever. And yes, this fullness of God’s Kingdom is indeed before us. However, according to Jesus, the Kingdom is already here, among us, and we have a role to play in its coming fullness.

Think about that. You have a role to play in living within and bringing about God’s Kingdom. Your choices today will affirm or deny your collaboration with God in His Kingdom. This can be a sobering thought —and it should be. We are God’s Kingdom. This Kingdom is not made up of buildings, nationalism, and a strong military, as the kingdoms of the world are. God’s Kingdom is within and among us. If we want to find God’s Kingdom, we must look inside and seek it with all our hearts. What would it look like for you to seek God’s Kingdom with all your heart today?

MEDITATION:

I long, yes, I faint with longing to enter the courts of the LORD. With my whole being, body and soul, I will shout joyfully to the living God.