Author: Margarita

I'm Margaret (AKA "Margarita"). I am a Christian, wife, mother of three, and grandmother (AKA "Mimi") of three. My husband Stace and I met many, many years ago. We have had our share of up and downs but I'm forever grateful that he is the man God blessed me with. I am happy to report we have been married for 25 years. I love this space on the internet. I create blog posts about faith, my Christian Walk, and our life on the farm. I have learned from the Word of the Lord. I hope this space will give you encouragement and inspiration in your walk with God. I speak on topics that make some breathe a sigh of relief and make others get pretty uncomfortable. I believe that there is power in transparency and that as children of God, we shouldn't hold anything back. Yes, even those raw and messy parts of our Life's Journey. Over the last several years, I have wrestled with my purpose, struggled with various sins, survived some severe injuries, and was diagnosed with severe illnesses that have stopped me in my tracks. Although these dark times have been tough, my walk with God and family has proven to be so fulfilling and sweet, regardless of any earthly circumstance. Christ is enough! And I want you to see that He is enough for you too. The Lord has put it on my heart to share His Word with you. I'm truly honored to meet you and hope you'll introduce yourself to me as well.
Posted on

THE CITY TO BE DEVOTED / JOSHUA 6:17

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Joshua 6:17

And the city shall be accursed, even it, and all that are therein, to the Lord: only Rahab the harlot shall live, she and all that are with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent.

The Firstfruits of Victory: Understanding “Devoted” in Joshua 6:17

We often cheer when we read about the walls of Jericho coming down. It is a triumphant story of faith, trumpets, and divine intervention. However, the verses immediately following that victory can cause us to pause. In Joshua 6:17, Joshua declares: “The city and all that is in it are to be devoted to the Lord.”

To modern ears, the destruction that followed is difficult to process. But digging into the original language and historical context reveals a profound spiritual principle about God’s sovereignty, holiness, and our own firstfruits.

The True Meaning of Herem

The Hebrew word translated as “devoted” (or “under the ban” in some versions) is herem. It does not simply mean destroyed; it means something is completely set aside for God to use or dispose of exactly as He chooses. This designation could move an object or person into one of two categories: divine judgment or divine service.

As our Creator, God possesses the absolute right to dismantle what has become thoroughly corrupt. Jericho was not an innocent bystander. The Canaanite cultures of the time were deeply entrenched in systemic wickedness, child sacrifice, and aggressive opposition to God. The principle of herem reminds us that God is holy, and He has the ultimate authority to execute judgment on sin.

The Principle of the Firstfruits

There is a specific reason why Jericho was treated with such total, unyielding severity compared to the cities that followed. Jericho was the first city Israel conquered in the Promised Land. It was the “firstfruits” of their inheritance.

Throughout Scripture, God establishes a clear rule: the firstfruits always belong exclusively to Him. Whether it was the first grain of the harvest, the firstborn of the livestock, or the first victories in battle, the initial portion was never meant for human consumption or personal wealth.

By devoting the entire city of Jericho to the Lord, Israel was practicing an act of radical trust. They were giving God the entire first victory before they knew if they would win the next one. They did not keep the spoil or the plunder for themselves. They handed it over to the Treasury of the Lord, recognizing that the land was His to give, and the victory was His alone.

What This Means for Us Today

While we no longer fight physical battles for earthly territory, the spiritual principle of herem and the firstfruits remains active in our lives.

  • Surrendering the First: God still asks for our firstfruits. This means giving Him the first of our time in the morning, the first of our income through giving, and the first consideration in our decision-making.
  • Total Devotion: To be devoted to God means we hand over the right to our lives. We allow Him to choose how we are used, holding nothing back for our own selfish ambition.
  • Rooting Out Compromise: Just as Israel had to completely clear out the corruption of Jericho to inhabit the Promised Land, we must invite the Holy Spirit to fully expose and eliminate the hidden areas of sin and compromise in our own hearts.

When we give God our “Jerichos”—our first and our best—we set a foundation of obedience that allows Him to fight the rest of our battles for us.

A Closing Prayer

Holy and Sovereign God,

We acknowledge You today as the Creator and Owner of all things. Lord, open our eyes to the depth of Your holiness and the righteousness of Your ways. Forgive us for the times we have held back what rightfully belongs to You, or tried to claim the glory for victories that You alone achieved.

We desire to be a people fully devoted (herem) to Your service. We surrender our firstfruits to You today—our time, our talents, our resources, and our futures. Take our lives and use them in whatever way You choose for Your glory. Give us the courage to root out compromise in our hearts, and the faith to trust You when the walls in front of us seem high. We declare that the victory belongs to You.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Bible Study Tools I Use

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. JERICHO / JOSHUA 6:1
  2. COMMANDER OF THE ARMY OF THE LORD / JOSHUA 5:14
  3. RENEWING THE COVENANT / JOSHUA 5:2
  4. WHAT DO THESE STONES MEAN? / JOSHUA 4:21
  5. YOUR CHILDREN / JOSHUA 4:6
  6. WATERS STAND UP IN A HEAP / JOSHUA 3:13
  7. CONSECRATE YOURSELVES / JOSHUA 3:5
  8. ARK OF THE COVENANT / JOSHUA 3:3
  9. SCARLET CORD / JOSHUA 2:21
  10. I DON’T KNOW WHICH WAY THEY WENT / JOSHUA 2:5
  11. HOUSE OF A PROSTITUTE RAHAB / JOSHUA 2:1
  12. BOOK OF THE LAW MEDITATE ON IT DAY AND NIGHT / JOSHUA 1:8
  13. OBEY ALL THE LAW / JOSHUA 1:7
  14. I WILL BE WITH YOU / JOSHUA 1:5
  15. CROSS THE JORDAN RIVER INTO THE LAND / JOSHUA 1:2
  16. JOSHUA SON OF NUN / JOSHUA 1:1
  17. AS FOR ME AND MY HOUSEHOLD, WE WILL SERVE THE LORD / JOSHUA 24:15
  18. GUIDED BY GRACE HOME

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Guided By Grace
Posted on

JERICHO / JOSHUA 6:1

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Joshua 6:1

Now Jericho was straitly shut up because of the children of Israel: none went out, and none came in.

Facing Your Impossible Walls: Lessons from Jericho

We all encounter moments in life where our path forward is completely blocked. You might be staring at a fractured relationship, a mountain of debt, or a career door that seems permanently shut. In these moments, the obstacle looks too massive to overcome.

This is exactly where the Israelites found themselves in Joshua 6:1: “Now the gates of Jericho were securely barred because of the Israelites. No one went out and no one came in.”

The Illusion of the Unconquerable

Jericho was a formidable fortress. Spanning about eight acres, it served as a major place of refuge and protection for both its citizens and the surrounding countryside. Its massive walls stood up to thirty feet high and twenty feet thick. To the human eye, it was an impenetrable stronghold.

The people inside Jericho felt completely safe. They believed their city was invincible, trusting deeply in the protection of their Canaanite gods.

When you face your own modern-day “Jericho,” the situation often feels just as locked down. The enemy whispers that your situation will never change, and that the barriers in front of you are permanent.

God’s Strategy is Higher Than Ours

For Joshua, capturing Jericho was the definitive key to his entire war strategy. It was not just about claiming physical territory; it was a spiritual showdown. Conquering this city would prove once and for all that Israel’s God was vastly superior to the Canaanite idols. A victory here would shatter the psychological confidence of the enemy and assure future triumphs across the promised land.

But notice how God chose to fight. He did not order a standard military siege or require heavy battering rams. Instead, He asked for steps of pure obedience and faith.

When your way is barred, human logic tells you to force the doors open. God, however, often calls you to a strategy of surrender, worship, and steadfast trust. The locked gates of your situation do not mean God is absent. Often, they mean He is setting the stage to display His absolute sovereignty.

Breaking Through Your Locked Gates

What is the barred gate in your life today? Remember that the height and thickness of your obstacles are nothing compared to the power of the One who goes before you. The walls that seem to protect your problems are fully vulnerable to the voice of God. Trust His strategy, walk by faith, and prepare to see the strongholds tumble down.

A Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Thank You that no wall is too high, no gate is too secure, and no obstacle is too thick for Your power. Forgive me for the times I look at my challenges and assume they cannot be conquered. Lord, I bring my personal “Jericho” before You today. When the way ahead feels completely barred, help me to fix my eyes on Your sovereignty rather than the size of the fortress.

Teach me to walk by faith and not by sight. Give me the grace to obey Your instructions, even when they do not make sense to human logic. I declare that You are superior to every stronghold, fear, and idol in my life. Break down the barriers before me, and let the victory bring ultimate glory to Your name.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Bible Study Tools I Use

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. COMMANDER OF THE ARMY OF THE LORD / JOSHUA 5:14
  2. RENEWING THE COVENANT / JOSHUA 5:2
  3. WHAT DO THESE STONES MEAN? / JOSHUA 4:21
  4. YOUR CHILDREN / JOSHUA 4:6
  5. WATERS STAND UP IN A HEAP / JOSHUA 3:13
  6. CONSECRATE YOURSELVES / JOSHUA 3:5
  7. ARK OF THE COVENANT / JOSHUA 3:3
  8. SCARLET CORD / JOSHUA 2:21
  9. I DON’T KNOW WHICH WAY THEY WENT / JOSHUA 2:5
  10. HOUSE OF A PROSTITUTE RAHAB / JOSHUA 2:1
  11. BOOK OF THE LAW MEDITATE ON IT DAY AND NIGHT / JOSHUA 1:8
  12. OBEY ALL THE LAW / JOSHUA 1:7
  13. I WILL BE WITH YOU / JOSHUA 1:5
  14. CROSS THE JORDAN RIVER INTO THE LAND / JOSHUA 1:2
  15. JOSHUA SON OF NUN / JOSHUA 1:1
  16. AS FOR ME AND MY HOUSEHOLD, WE WILL SERVE THE LORD / JOSHUA 24:15
  17. GUIDED BY GRACE HOME

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Guided By Grace
Posted on

COMMANDER OF THE ARMY OF THE LORD / JOSHUA 5:14

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Joshua 5:14

 And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the Lord am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my Lord unto his servant?

Standing with the Commander: Recognizing God’s Unseen Armies

On the eve of the battle of Jericho, Joshua faced the insurmountable walls of a fortified city. As he weighed his strategies, he suddenly encountered a man standing before him with a drawn sword. When Joshua asked the stranger whose side he was on, the figure gave a startling reply: “Neither, but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come” (Joshua 5:14).

In that pivotal moment, Joshua was made aware of God’s unseen presence and His spiritual army that was prepared to fight alongside His faithful people. The angelic Commander did not come to enlist in Joshua’s agenda; He came to lead the mission to fulfill God’s ultimate purposes.

This dramatic encounter offers us profound comfort and a necessary reality check for our own daily battles.

We Are Not Alone in the Struggle

Joshua’s experience teaches us that we are not alone in our struggles on this earth. When we feel overwhelmed by circumstances, Scripture pulls back the veil to reveal a supernatural reality. There are spiritual forces fighting for us as well as against us. Hebrews 1:14 reminds us that angels are ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation.

Throughout history, God has repeatedly revealed this invisible protection to His children:

  • Peter in Prison: When Peter was chained in a dungeon, an angel broke him out of maximum security (Acts 12:5-11).
  • Paul in Corinth: When Paul faced heavy opposition, the Lord spoke in a vision, telling him not to be afraid because “I am with you” (Acts 18:9-10).
  • Paul in the Storm: During a terrifying shipwreck, an angel of the God to whom Paul belonged stood by him to give courage (Acts 27:23).

Just as He did for the early church, God’s Holy Spirit constantly comes alongside those who are faithful to the Lord, helping, comforting, and defending them (John 14:16; John 14:23-24).

The Condition: Cooperation and Obedience

While the reality of God’s heavenly host is comforting, Joshua 5 teaches a vital lesson about how this power is accessed. The power of God’s spiritual armies is available to His people only as they obey Him and work in cooperation with those same purposes.

The Commander did not choose sides between Israel and Jericho. Instead, Joshua had to choose to align himself with the Commander. He did this immediately by falling face down in reverence and asking, “What message does my Lord have for his servant?”

We cannot expect God to bless paths we choose out of self-will or disobedience. His armies do not fight for our personal ambitions; they fight to fulfill His sovereign will. When we surrender our strategies, obey His Word, and align our hearts with His kingdom, we step under the umbrella of His divine protection. You do not have to fight your battles in your own limited strength. Step into alignment with the Commander, and trust the unseen host fighting on your behalf.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for the powerful reminder that we never walk through our battles alone. Forgive us for the times we look only at the physical walls in front of us and forget the reality of Your unseen presence. Open our spiritual eyes, Lord, to recognize the heavenly hosts You have stationed around us.

We submit our plans, our worries, and our struggles to You today. We do not ask You to join our agenda; instead, we pray that You align our hearts with Yours. Help us to walk in absolute obedience and cooperation with Your holy purposes. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit who lives within us, comforting, guiding, and defending us every step of the way.

We rest in the authority of the Commander of the Lord’s army, knowing that the victory belongs to You.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Bible Study Tools I Use

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. RENEWING THE COVENANT / JOSHUA 5:2
  2. WHAT DO THESE STONES MEAN? / JOSHUA 4:21
  3. YOUR CHILDREN / JOSHUA 4:6
  4. WATERS STAND UP IN A HEAP / JOSHUA 3:13
  5. CONSECRATE YOURSELVES / JOSHUA 3:5
  6. ARK OF THE COVENANT / JOSHUA 3:3
  7. SCARLET CORD / JOSHUA 2:21
  8. I DON’T KNOW WHICH WAY THEY WENT / JOSHUA 2:5
  9. HOUSE OF A PROSTITUTE RAHAB / JOSHUA 2:1
  10. BOOK OF THE LAW MEDITATE ON IT DAY AND NIGHT / JOSHUA 1:8
  11. OBEY ALL THE LAW / JOSHUA 1:7
  12. I WILL BE WITH YOU / JOSHUA 1:5
  13. CROSS THE JORDAN RIVER INTO THE LAND / JOSHUA 1:2
  14. JOSHUA SON OF NUN / JOSHUA 1:1
  15. AS FOR ME AND MY HOUSEHOLD, WE WILL SERVE THE LORD / JOSHUA 24:15
  16. GUIDED BY GRACE HOME

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Guided By Grace
Posted on

RENEWING THE COVENANT / JOSHUA 5:2

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Joshua 5:2

At that time the Lord said unto Joshua, Make thee sharp knives, and circumcise again the children of Israel the second time.

Renewing the Covenant: The Hidden Power of Spiritual Preparation

We often want to rush straight into battle. When we stand on the edge of our “Promised Land”—a new career, a restored relationship, or a fresh season of ministry—our instinct is to charge forward.

In Joshua 5:2, God’s people found themselves in this exact position. They had miraculously crossed the Jordan River. The enemy was terrified. The walls of Jericho were within sight. Yet, instead of ordering a military strike, God gave a surprising command: “Make flint knives and circumcise the Israelites again.”

Before the physical conquest could begin, God demanded a painful, deeply personal spiritual preparation.

The Meaning of the Mark

Under the Old Covenant, circumcision was not just a medical procedure. It was a physical sign of a spiritual reality.

  • A Identity Marker: It marked every male as a child of Abraham and a servant of the Lord.
  • A Key to Blessing: It qualified the people to participate in God’s covenant blessings (Genesis 17:11).
  • An Act of Obedience: It proved their acceptance of a “life agreement” with God, built on His laws and their active faith.

For forty years in the wilderness, this practice had been neglected. A whole new generation had grown up without bearing the sign of the covenant. They were in the right territory, but they did not have the right heart posture.

Why Cutting Precedes Conquering

It seems counterintuitive to wound an army right before a war. Circumcision temporarily incapacitated the fighting men. It made them completely vulnerable to their enemies.

But this was the ultimate test of faith. God was teaching them that the battle belongs to the Lord. Their victory would not come from military might, but from covenant alignment.

Before we can conquer the strongholds in our lives, we must allow God to cut away the things that hold us back. In the New Covenant, this is a “circumcision of the heart” (Romans 2:29)—the removal of pride, old habits, compromises, and self-reliance. God desires deep internal holiness before He grants external victory.

Your Spiritual Inventory

Are you rushing into a new season without doing the necessary heart work? Take a moment to pause and reflect:

  1. Identity: Are you relying on your own strength, or are you secure in your identity as a child of God?
  2. Surrender: What “foreskin” of past sin or old mindsets is God asking you to cut away today?
  3. Trust: Are you willing to be vulnerable and still before God before you step onto the battlefield?

Do not skip the preparation. The cutting may be painful, but it positions you for the promise.

A Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for Your unwavering faithfulness and the promises You have set before me. I confess that I often want to rush into victory without pausing for preparation. Today, I invite Holy Spirit to search my heart.

Circumcise my heart, Lord. Cut away any pride, unbelief, or hidden sin that keeps me from fully aligning with Your will. Teach me to trust You in moments of vulnerability. I surrender my plans and my strength to You, knowing that true victory belongs to the Lord. Prepare me, mark me as Your own, and lead me forward into all You have promised.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Bible Study Tools I Use

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. WHAT DO THESE STONES MEAN? / JOSHUA 4:21
  2. YOUR CHILDREN / JOSHUA 4:6
  3. WATERS STAND UP IN A HEAP / JOSHUA 3:13
  4. CONSECRATE YOURSELVES / JOSHUA 3:5
  5. ARK OF THE COVENANT / JOSHUA 3:3
  6. SCARLET CORD / JOSHUA 2:21
  7. I DON’T KNOW WHICH WAY THEY WENT / JOSHUA 2:5
  8. HOUSE OF A PROSTITUTE RAHAB / JOSHUA 2:1
  9. BOOK OF THE LAW MEDITATE ON IT DAY AND NIGHT / JOSHUA 1:8
  10. OBEY ALL THE LAW / JOSHUA 1:7
  11. I WILL BE WITH YOU / JOSHUA 1:5
  12. CROSS THE JORDAN RIVER INTO THE LAND / JOSHUA 1:2
  13. JOSHUA SON OF NUN / JOSHUA 1:1
  14. AS FOR ME AND MY HOUSEHOLD, WE WILL SERVE THE LORD / JOSHUA 24:15
  15. GUIDED BY GRACE HOME

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Guided By Grace
Posted on

WHAT DO THESE STONES MEAN? / JOSHUA 4:21

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Joshua 4:21

And he spake unto the children of Israel, saying, When your children shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean these stones?

What Do These Stones Mean? Building Memorials of God’s Faithfulness

Life moves fast, and human memory is notoriously short. We pray desperately for breakthroughs, yet when God answers, we often move quickly to the next crisis without looking back. In Joshua 4, we find God’s people at a major turning point, facing the exact same human tendency to forget.

After miraculously crossing the Jordan River on dry ground, God gave Joshua a specific command. He told him to have twelve men, one from each tribe, pick up a large stone from the middle of the riverbed. They were to carry those stones to their campsite and build a monument.

In Joshua 4:21-22, Joshua explains the purpose of this monument: “He said to the Israelites, ‘In the future, when your descendants ask their parents, “What do these stones mean?” tell them, “Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.”‘”

Those physical stones served as a permanent visual anchor. They were designed to spark curiosity, invite conversation, and preserve the legacy of God’s salvation and grace.

Modern Monuments: Remembering His Grace

Christ’s followers today do not need to stack literal river rocks in their front yards, but we still desperately need spiritual memorials. We can choose specific items, journals, or places to serve as active reminders of what God has done for us.

An answered prayer written in the margins of a Bible, a framed photo of a house God provided, or a journal detailing a season of emotional healing can all serve as modern-day monuments. These objects represent God’s undeserved favor. They stand as physical proof that when we faced an impossible river, God made a way through it.

Inspiring the Next Generation

These memorials are not meant for silent nostalgia. They are active tools meant to create opportunities to communicate our faith and inspire others.

When our children, friends, or neighbors ask about these reminders, it opens the door to share our testimony. By pointing to our personal “monuments,” we instruct the next generation to trust God for their own guidance and help. Your past breakthrough becomes the blueprint for their future faith. It proves to them that the same God who was faithful yesterday will be faithful today.

The Danger of Misplaced Worship

While physical reminders are incredibly valuable, Joshua’s story carries a subtle warning. Human hearts are prone to turning good things into idols.

We must ensure that our physical reminders never take God’s place or become objects of worship themselves. The power never belonged to the stones; the power belonged to the God who parted the water. A memorial should always point our attention away from the object and directly toward the Creator. We do not worship the blessing, the tradition, or the location. We worship the living God who acted on our behalf.

A Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your endless grace and the countless times You have rescued, guided, and provided for us. Forgive us for how quickly we forget Your goodness when new trials arise.

Help us to build intentional reminders of Your faithfulness in our daily lives. Give us the wisdom to use these memorials to share our faith boldly with our children and those around us, inspiring them to trust You completely. Keep our hearts aligned with You, Lord. May we always worship You alone, and never the physical things of this world. Let our lives be a living monument to Your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Bible Study Tools I Use

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. YOUR CHILDREN / JOSHUA 4:6
  2. WATERS STAND UP IN A HEAP / JOSHUA 3:13
  3. CONSECRATE YOURSELVES / JOSHUA 3:5
  4. ARK OF THE COVENANT / JOSHUA 3:3
  5. SCARLET CORD / JOSHUA 2:21
  6. I DON’T KNOW WHICH WAY THEY WENT / JOSHUA 2:5
  7. HOUSE OF A PROSTITUTE RAHAB / JOSHUA 2:1
  8. BOOK OF THE LAW MEDITATE ON IT DAY AND NIGHT / JOSHUA 1:8
  9. OBEY ALL THE LAW / JOSHUA 1:7
  10. I WILL BE WITH YOU / JOSHUA 1:5
  11. CROSS THE JORDAN RIVER INTO THE LAND / JOSHUA 1:2
  12. JOSHUA SON OF NUN / JOSHUA 1:1
  13. AS FOR ME AND MY HOUSEHOLD, WE WILL SERVE THE LORD / JOSHUA 24:15
  14. GUIDED BY GRACE HOME

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Guided By Grace
Posted on

YOUR CHILDREN / JOSHUA 4:6

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Joshua 4:6

That this may be a sign among you, that when your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean ye by these stones?

Building Monuments of Faith: Passing the Torch to the Next Generation

As parents, mentors, and ministry leaders, we often worry about the future. We wonder if the children in our lives will grow up to love God, serve Him, and hold fast to the truth. This deep concern for our children’s faith is not a modern dilemma; it is a timeless responsibility that God has placed on His people from the very beginning.

In Deuteronomy 6:7, God commanded His people to be relentlessly intentional about discipleship: “You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise.”

God wants our faith to be a living, breathing topic of conversation, woven into the fabric of daily life. But He also knows that human hearts are prone to forgetfulness. We need visual anchors to jolt our memories and spark holy curiosity.

The Meaning of the Stones

In Joshua 4, we find the Israelites standing on the edge of a miracle. God had just parted the overflowing waters of the Jordan River so the entire nation could cross on dry ground. It was a staggering display of divine power. But before the waters rushed back into place, God gave Joshua a unique command.

He ordered twelve men—one from each tribe—to pick up a heavy stone from the very middle of the riverbed where the priests stood. They carried those muddy, river-soaked stones to the riverbank and stacked them up.

Why? Joshua explains the purpose beautifully in Joshua 4:6:

“That this may be a sign among you. When your children ask in time to come, ‘What do those stones mean to you?’ then you shall tell them…”

The stone monument they set up on the banks of the Jordan provided a visible opportunity for parents to teach their children about God’s power and faithfulness. God knew that years later, a young child would walk past that strange pile of rocks, point a finger, and ask, “Why is that there?” That question was the parent’s cue to share the gospel of God’s deliverance.

Moving From Memory to Reverence

Passing down testimonies isn’t just about sharing neat historical facts or family folklore. It has a profound spiritual objective.

Joshua explicitly states the ultimate goal of these shared stories at the end of the chapter:

“He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful and so that you might always fear the Lord your God.” (Joshua 4:24)

Through intentional, legacy-minded teaching, our children move from knowing about God to personally experiencing a holy, reverent awe of Him. When we tell them how God rescued us, sustained us, and broke through our own spiritual “Jordan Rivers,” we plant seeds of faith. We show them that the God of the Bible is not a distant historical figure, but a living, moving, and faithful Father who acts today.

What Are Your Memorial Stones?

Take a moment to look at your own life. What are the “stones” in your history?

  • An answered prayer when rent was due?
  • A moment of miraculous physical or emotional healing?
  • The day God pulled you out of a season of deep despair?

Don’t let those miracles die with your generation. Pile them up. Talk about them at the dinner table. Write them down in journals. Make your home a place where the next generation regularly hears about the mighty hand of God. Our children cannot remember what we choose to keep hidden. Let us build monuments of praise so that the generations to come will always fear the Lord.

A Closing Prayer for the Next Generation

Heavenly Father,

We praise You because You are powerful, faithful, and good throughout all generations. Thank You for the ways You have parted the difficult waters in our own lives and led us through on dry ground. Forgive us for the times we have forgotten Your goodness or kept Your miracles to ourselves.

Lord, we commit the children in our lives to You. We ask that You give us the wisdom, courage, and intentionality to teach them diligently. Help us to build spiritual monuments in our homes through our words, our lifestyle, and our testimonies. When the next generation looks at our lives and asks what our faith means to us, give us the right words to proclaim Your greatness.

We pray that our children would not just know our stories, but would develop a deep, personal, and lasting reverence for You. May they always fear the Lord, walk in Your ways, and trust in Your unfailing love. Protect their hearts, anchor their faith, and use them to shine Your light into the world.

In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Bible Study Tools I Use

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. WATERS STAND UP IN A HEAP / JOSHUA 3:13
  2. CONSECRATE YOURSELVES / JOSHUA 3:5
  3. ARK OF THE COVENANT / JOSHUA 3:3
  4. SCARLET CORD / JOSHUA 2:21
  5. I DON’T KNOW WHICH WAY THEY WENT / JOSHUA 2:5
  6. HOUSE OF A PROSTITUTE RAHAB / JOSHUA 2:1
  7. BOOK OF THE LAW MEDITATE ON IT DAY AND NIGHT / JOSHUA 1:8
  8. OBEY ALL THE LAW / JOSHUA 1:7
  9. I WILL BE WITH YOU / JOSHUA 1:5
  10. CROSS THE JORDAN RIVER INTO THE LAND / JOSHUA 1:2
  11. JOSHUA SON OF NUN / JOSHUA 1:1
  12. AS FOR ME AND MY HOUSEHOLD, WE WILL SERVE THE LORD / JOSHUA 24:15
  13. GUIDED BY GRACE HOME

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Guided By Grace
Posted on

FILLED WITH POWER WITH THE SPIRIT / MICAH 3:8

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Micah 3:8

But truly I am full of power by the spirit of the Lord,
and of judgment, and of might,
to declare unto Jacob his transgression,
and to Israel his sin.

Empowered for the Truth: The Uncompromising Call of Micah 3:8

In an era where truth is often treated as relative and compromise is celebrated as culture, the call to spiritual leadership can feel overwhelming. How does a messenger of God stand firm when the world—and sometimes even the church—demands compliance with the status quo?

The answer is not found in human grit or eloquent speech. It is found in the divine equipping highlighted in Micah 3:8:

“But as for me, I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the Lord, and with justice and might, to declare to Jacob his transgression and to Israel his sin.”

Called and Equipped by the Spirit

God never calls a spokesperson without providing the structural support to accomplish the task. Micah was chosen to be a prophetic voice during a dark time in Israel’s history. The religious and political leaders of his day were failing, bending the rules for personal gain and preaching a false peace.

Micah, however, operated differently. He did not rely on his own intellect or authority. He spoke by the direct guidance and empowerment of the Holy Spirit.

This is the timeless hallmark of a faithful minister. Centuries later, the prophet Jeremiah described this internal compulsion as a “burning fire shut up in my bones” (Jeremiah 20:9). Likewise, the apostle Paul reminded the New Testament church that true ministry is a gift given “according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power” (Ephesians 3:7).

The Task: Reflecting God’s Holiness

The Holy Spirit did not empower Micah just so he could be bold; the Spirit empowered him to confront reality. Micah’s specific assignment was to condemn sinful and unholy behavior right within God’s house.

True ministry must reflect God’s holiness—His absolute purity, perfection, and complete separation from evil. Micah’s task was to hold up the mirror of God’s standards and encourage the people to align their lives with righteousness.

This remains the mandate for pastors, leaders, and believers today. The church is called to be a beacon of holiness, not an echo chamber for the culture.

Standing Firm Against the Pressure

The temptation to compromise is not new, but it is intense. Today’s spiritual leaders face immense pressure to conform to sinful beliefs, behaviors, and lifestyles that have become common in the world. This pressure does not just come from the outside; it frequently arises from within congregation walls, demanding a softer, more accommodating gospel.

But a true spokesperson for God cannot bend to the cultural thermostat. We are called to change the temperature, not report it. Like Micah, modern ministers must remain God’s voice for truth, justice, and righteousness, even when it is unpopular.

We do not speak out of arrogance or self-righteousness, but out of a deep reverence for God and a genuine love for His people. True love warns of danger; true faith stands on the unshakeable foundation of Scripture. If God has called you to speak, He will give you the power, the Spirit, and the might to stand.

A Closing Prayer for Spiritual Might

Heavenly Father,

We come before You recognizing that You are a holy, pure, and perfect God, completely separate from evil. You have called us to reflect Your holiness to a world that has lost its way, and we admit that the task feels heavy.

Lord, we pray today for our pastors, teachers, evangelists, and leaders. We ask that You fill them fresh with the Holy Spirit, just as You filled Your servant Micah. Grant them a supernatural impartation of power, justice, and might. When the pressures of this world—and the pressures from within the church—urge them to bend, give them the grace to stand unshakeable.

Deliver Your messengers from the fear of man. Extinguish the temptation to compromise Your truth for the sake of cultural relevance or superficial peace. Let Your word be like a fire shut up in their bones, so they cannot keep silent.

Empower us all to be bold voices for righteousness, truth, and holiness. May our lives honor Your standards, and may Your church be revived by the power of Your Spirit.

In Jesus’ mighty and holy name we pray, Amen.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Bible Study Tools I Use

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. AS FOR THE PROPHETS / MICAH 3:5-7
  2. HE WILL NOT ANSWER THEM / MICAH 3:4
  3. EAT MY PEOPLE’S FLESH / MICAH 3:3
  4. HATE GOOD AND LOVE EVIL / MICAH 3:2
  5. LEADERS OF JACOB / MICAH 3:1-12
  6. THE REMNANT OF ISRAEL / MICAH 2:12-13
  7. WINE AND BEER / MICAH 2:11
  8. DO NOT PROPHESY / MICAH 2:6
  9. WOE TO THOSE WHO PLAN INIQUITY / MICAH 2:1-5
  10. A CALL TO REPENTANCE / MICAH 1:16
  11. GATH … BETH OPHRAH / MICAH 1:10-15
  12. IT HAS COME TO JUDAH / MICAH 1:9
  13. I WILL WEEP AND WAIL / MICAH 1:8-9
  14. SAMERIA A HEAP OF RUBBLE / MICAH 1:6
  15. TRANSGRESSION … SINS / MICAH 1:5
  16. MICAH – SAMARIA AND JERUSALEM / MICAH 1:1
  17. GUIDED BY GRACE HOME

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Guided By Grace
Posted on

AS FOR THE PROPHETS / MICAH 3:5-7

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Micah 3:5-7

The Cost of False Comfort: Reflections on Micah 3:5-7

We all love words of encouragement. In a world filled with chaos, hearing that everything is going to be fine feels like a soothing balm. But what happens when that comfort is a lie? What happens when the message we receive encourages us to stay exactly as we are, even when we are drifting away from God?

In Micah 3:5-7, the prophet Micah delivers a blistering critique of the spiritual leaders of his day. God deeply desired to lead His people back to the path of truth and restore a right relationship with them. However, the false prophets stood in the way. They knew that if the people truly turned back to God, their own influence, prestige, and financial gain would vanish.

To protect their own status, they spoke messages of false hope and security. They made the people feel good about themselves while their hearts were far from righteousness.

The Danger of a Selective Gospel

The false prophets operated on a system of bribery and personal comfort. Micah writes that if someone fed them, they proclaimed “peace,” but if someone refused to plug their pockets, they declared holy war against them. They tailored their theology to fit their appetites.

By preaching a message devoid of repentance, they were actively encouraging the people to sin. They normalized rebellion and coated it in a veneer of divine approval. True leadership points people to God’s holiness; false leadership points people to their own desires.

When the Lights Go Out

Because these leaders refused to guide the people back to the heart of God, the Lord pronounced a severe judgment upon them:

“Therefore night will come over you, without visions, and darkness, without divination. The sun will set for the prophets, and the day will go dark for them. The seers will be ashamed and the diviners disgraced. They will all cover their faces because there is no answer from God.” (Micah 3:6-7)

God simply stopped speaking to them. He abandoned the false prophets to the darkness they chose. When the community faced crisis, these leaders found themselves spiritually blind, utterly empty, and deeply ashamed. The spiritual authority they fought so hard to keep was stripped away by the silence of Heaven.

Our Takeaway Today

Micah’s warning echoes into our modern lives. We must examine the voices we allow to influence us. Are we seeking out teachers, friends, or media that merely tickle our ears and make us feel secure in our compromises? Or do we love the truth enough to welcome holy conviction?

God’s desire is still the same: He wants a genuine, uncompromised relationship with you. Do not settle for the cheap substitute of false comfort. Choose the narrow path of truth, even when it challenges you, because that is where true life and lasting security are found.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

We come before You asking for eyes to see and ears to hear the truth of Your Word. Guard our hearts against the deception of false comfort. Forgive us for the times we have preferred sweet lies over convicting truths just to feel secure in our complacency.

Give us discernment to recognize voices that lead us away from Your holiness. We ask for the courage to embrace Your correction, knowing that Your discipline flows from Your immense love for us. Draw us back to the path of righteousness. Restore our hearts to a right relationship with You, and let our lives be anchored in the true hope of Christ alone.

In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend resources that genuinely encourage your faith walk.

Bible Study Tools I Use

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. HE WILL NOT ANSWER THEM / MICAH 3:4
  2. EAT MY PEOPLE’S FLESH / MICAH 3:3
  3. HATE GOOD AND LOVE EVIL / MICAH 3:2
  4. LEADERS OF JACOB / MICAH 3:1-12
  5. THE REMNANT OF ISRAEL / MICAH 2:12-13
  6. WINE AND BEER / MICAH 2:11
  7. DO NOT PROPHESY / MICAH 2:6
  8. WOE TO THOSE WHO PLAN INIQUITY / MICAH 2:1-5
  9. A CALL TO REPENTANCE / MICAH 1:16
  10. GATH … BETH OPHRAH / MICAH 1:10-15
  11. IT HAS COME TO JUDAH / MICAH 1:9
  12. I WILL WEEP AND WAIL / MICAH 1:8-9
  13. SAMERIA A HEAP OF RUBBLE / MICAH 1:6
  14. TRANSGRESSION … SINS / MICAH 1:5
  15. MICAH – SAMARIA AND JERUSALEM / MICAH 1:1
  16. GUIDED BY GRACE HOME

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Guided By Grace
Posted on

HE WILL NOT ANSWER THEM / MICAH 3:4

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Micah 3:4

Then shall they cry unto the Lord, but he will not hear them: he will even hide his face from them at that time, as they have behaved themselves ill in their doings.

When Heaven Goes Silent: Understanding Micah 3:4

There is a unique terror in crying out for help and hearing only silence. In our modern world, we are used to instant connectivity. We text, we call, we look for immediate feedback. But what happens when the Creator of the universe intentionally turns His back?

In Micah 3:4, the prophet delivers a chilling reality check to the leaders of Israel: “Then they will cry out to the Lord, but he will not answer them. At that time he will hide his face from them because of the evil they have done.”

This text serves as a stark reminder of the spiritual cost of systemic cruelty, corruption, and the abuse of power.

The Context of Cruelty

To understand the weight of God’s silence, we must look at what preceded it. The leaders, priests, and prophets of Micah’s day were not just failing in their administrative duties; they were actively predatory. Micah describes them as cannibalistic tyrants who “tear the skin from my people and the flesh from their bones.”

They used their authority to exploit the poor, cheat the vulnerable, and enrich themselves. Yet, remarkably, they still maintained a veneer of religious routine. They assumed that because they were God’s chosen people, His favor was guaranteed. They believed they could live in open rebellion and still count on divine protection when trouble arrived.

They were dead wrong.

The Law of Spiritual Harvest

God’s refusal to answer their prayers was not an act of random cruelty. It was the direct harvest of the seeds they had sown.

  1. They closed their ears first: The leaders spent years ignoring the cries of the oppressed. By refusing to grant justice to others, they disqualified themselves from receiving mercy.
  2. Character dictates connection: We cannot consistently walk in evil and expect to remain in communion with a holy God. Continual, unrepentant sin builds a wall of separation.
  3. Helplessness is the result: When we push God away through our behavior, He eventually allows us to experience life without Him. Without His shield, we are entirely helpless against the storms of life.

Micah 3:4 exposes the dangerous illusion of spiritual immunity. God values righteousness and justice far above religious rituals or desperate, last-minute prayers that hold no real desire for repentance.

The Pathway Back

The silence of God is terrifying, but it is also a severe mercy. It is designed to break our self-sufficiency. When Heaven goes quiet, it is a signal to stop talking, stop negotiating, and start examining our hearts. It calls us to look at how we treat the people around us—especially those who have no power to give us anything in return.

True spiritual renewal begins when we stop treating God like a cosmic vending machine and start honoring Him as the Lord of justice and love.

A Closing Prayer for a Righteous Heart

Holy and Just God,

We come before You today with humbled hearts, recognizing that You see not just our outward actions, but the true motives of our souls. Father, convict us where we have been blind to the pain of others. Forgive us for the times we have used whatever power, status, or influence we hold to benefit ourselves at the expense of those around us.

Lord, deliver us from the dangerous delusion that we can tolerate evil in our lives while expecting Your blessing. We do not want to live in the terrifying silence of separation from You. Search us, O God, and know our hearts. Try us and know our thoughts. See if there is any grievous way in us, and lead us in the way everlasting.

Fill us with a hunger for justice and a heart of true compassion. May our lives reflect Your love, so that our prayers may always find an open door in Heaven.

In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend resources that genuinely encourage your faith walk.

Bible Study Tools I Use

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. EAT MY PEOPLE’S FLESH / MICAH 3:3
  2. HATE GOOD AND LOVE EVIL / MICAH 3:2
  3. LEADERS OF JACOB / MICAH 3:1-12
  4. THE REMNANT OF ISRAEL / MICAH 2:12-13
  5. WINE AND BEER / MICAH 2:11
  6. DO NOT PROPHESY / MICAH 2:6
  7. WOE TO THOSE WHO PLAN INIQUITY / MICAH 2:1-5
  8. A CALL TO REPENTANCE / MICAH 1:16
  9. GATH … BETH OPHRAH / MICAH 1:10-15
  10. IT HAS COME TO JUDAH / MICAH 1:9
  11. I WILL WEEP AND WAIL / MICAH 1:8-9
  12. SAMERIA A HEAP OF RUBBLE / MICAH 1:6
  13. TRANSGRESSION … SINS / MICAH 1:5
  14. MICAH – SAMARIA AND JERUSALEM / MICAH 1:1
  15. GUIDED BY GRACE HOME

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Guided By Grace
Posted on

EAT MY PEOPLE’S FLESH / MICAH 3:3

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Micah 3:3

Who also eat the flesh of my people, and flay their skin from off them; and they break their bones, and chop them in pieces, as for the pot, and as flesh within the caldron.

The Devouring Leader: Understanding the Radical Language of Micah 3:3

The Old Testament prophets rarely minced words, but the Prophet Micah offers some of the most jarring imagery in all of Scripture. In Micah 3:3, he accuses the leaders of Israel of a crime that sounds like a horror film: they “eat my people’s flesh.”

While this language is shocking, its meaning is clear. Micah is not describing literal cannibalism. Instead, he uses radical, graphic metaphor to expose the sheer gravity of systemic oppression, corruption, and the betrayal of public trust by those in power.

The Context of Cruelty

To understand Micah 3:3, we must look at the verses surrounding it. Micah addresses the “heads of Jacob” and the “rulers of the house of Israel.” These were the individuals charged with protecting the vulnerable, upholding justice, and reflecting God’s character to the nation.

Instead, they did the exact opposite:

  • Micah 3:2 accuses them of hating good and loving evil. It describes them tearing the skin from the people and the flesh from their bones.
  • Micah 3:3 continues the metaphor, stating that they chop the people up like meat for a cooking pot.

By using the imagery of butchery and cannibalism, Micah strips away the polite legalities that the rulers likely used to justify their greed. They weren’t just collecting high taxes or foreclosure fees; they were actively consuming the very lives, livelihoods, and futures of the common people they were meant to serve.

Modern Parallels to “Devouring” People

Micah’s message remains deeply relevant today. Whenever systems or individuals prioritize profit over human dignity, they echo the sins of Israel’s ancient rulers. We see this dynamic play out in several ways:

  • Economic Exploitation: Corporate greed that underpays workers while executives amass extreme wealth, essentially grinding down the lives of the poor for profit.
  • Abuse of Power: Leaders in political, social, or spiritual spheres who use their authority to shield themselves while taking advantage of the vulnerable.
  • Systemic Apathy: Turning a blind eye to human trafficking, unsafe working conditions, or predatory lending practices that trap families in endless cycles of poverty.

God’s reaction to this behavior is fierce. Scripture makes it clear that leadership is a stewardship. To exploit the weak is to invite divine judgment, because God hears the cries of the oppressed.

Moving from Exploitation to Justice

The antidote to the “devouring” leadership described in Micah is found later in his book. In Micah 6:8, the prophet provides the ultimate blueprint for godly authority and citizenship: “To do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.”

True leadership does not feed on the people; it feeds the people. It protects, uplifts, and ensures that the most vulnerable members of society are treated with the dignity they deserve as image-bearers of God.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

We come before You with sober hearts, grieved by the ways that greed and power can corrupt human institutions. Your word in Micah reminds us how deeply You feel the pain of those who are exploited, used, and cast aside.

We pray today for leaders across the globe—in government, business, and the church. Break the hearts of those who use their positions to devour the livelihoods of others. Replace spirits of arrogance and avarice with humility, equity, and compassion. Give them the courage to dismantle systems that crush the poor.

Forgive us for the times we have stayed silent or benefited from the oppression of others. Help us to be instruments of Your peace and justice. Give us the strength to stand up for the vulnerable, to speak for the voiceless, and to love our neighbors not just in word, but in concrete action.

In Your holy and just name, we pray, Amen.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend resources that genuinely encourage your faith walk.

Bible Study Tools I Use

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. HATE GOOD AND LOVE EVIL / MICAH 3:2
  2. LEADERS OF JACOB / MICAH 3:1-12
  3. THE REMNANT OF ISRAEL / MICAH 2:12-13
  4. WINE AND BEER / MICAH 2:11
  5. DO NOT PROPHESY / MICAH 2:6
  6. WOE TO THOSE WHO PLAN INIQUITY / MICAH 2:1-5
  7. A CALL TO REPENTANCE / MICAH 1:16
  8. GATH … BETH OPHRAH / MICAH 1:10-15
  9. IT HAS COME TO JUDAH / MICAH 1:9
  10. I WILL WEEP AND WAIL / MICAH 1:8-9
  11. SAMERIA A HEAP OF RUBBLE / MICAH 1:6
  12. TRANSGRESSION … SINS / MICAH 1:5
  13. MICAH – SAMARIA AND JERUSALEM / MICAH 1:1
  14. GUIDED BY GRACE HOME

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Guided By Grace
Optimized by Optimole