The Daily Plunge!

Freelance Religious Opportunist (Judges 17:1-31). A scoundrel who steals from his own other sets up a shrine with his own household gods. Then he exploits and corrupts a Levite to be his own personal priest. He believes he has brought the LORD under his control. #dailydevotion #Lutherandevotional #DailyPlunge #DailyLectionary #DailyScripture #BookofJudges #Judges

Revenge Blow Confession (Judges 16:21–31). Don’t give away the strength in the LORD to pursue the lusts of this world. When we cut off our connection with God we will be surrendered to our enemies. When we are blinded and imprisoned by sin, we can still cry out our confession of faith. #dailydevotion #Lutherandevotional #DailyPlunge #DailyLectionary #DailyScripture #BookofJudges #Judges

Binding Strength Lure (Judges 16:1–20). Samson ignores his commitment to the LORD to fulfill his lust for Delilah. She seduces him into revealing the source of strength. When we dismiss the relationship with God we cut the source of strength we take for granted. #dailydevotion #Lutherandevotional #DailyPlunge #DailyLectionary #DailyScripture #BookofJudges #Judges

Jawbone Guerilla Combat (Judges 14:20–15:20). Samson changes his mind to go back for the betraying wife he abandoned. After the Philistines murder his former in-laws, he is trying to mete out justice. Though a mighty warrior, Samson demonstrates he is no leader. #dailydevotion #Lutherandevotional #DailyPlunge #DailyLectionary #DailyScripture #BookofJudges #Judges

Uncovenanted Bride Confrontation (Judges 14:1–19). Rather than be guided by God Samson is determined to wed outside the covenant. Even though he has the strength to take on a lion, he does not have the strength to control himself. #dailydevotion #Lutherandevotional #DailyPlunge #DailyLectionary #DailyScripture #BookofJudges #Judges

Barren Nazarite Dedication (Judges 13:1–15). Exactly where we are at the end of our resources, God makes a promise of a barren woman.  The child is dedicated to God from before birth to be used by God. Are you dedicated to the LORD to be used by God? #dailydevotion #Lutherandevotional #DailyPlunge #DailyLectionary #DailyScripture #BookofJudges #Judges

Horrendous Religious Bargaining (Judges 11:1–11, 29–40). When they are attacked again, they beg a hated scoundrel to get them out of trouble. Even this scoundrel knows work of the LORD. And yet he thinks he can bargain with the LORD just like pagans do with false gods. #dailydevotion #Lutherandevotional #DailyPlunge #DailyLectionary #DailyScripture #BookofJudges #Judges

Lordship Leadership Fable (Judges 9:1–16, 19–21). Gideon’s bastard son wants to assume leadership. He uses loot from a false idol to hire thugs to murder 69 half-brothers. Among God’s people what is a prerequisite of leadership? Does the LORD lead them. Don’t empower thornbushes. #dailydevotion #Lutherandevotional #DailyPlunge #DailyLectionary #DailyScripture #BookofJudges #Judges

Golden Ephod Snare (Judges 8:22–35). God’s people are grateful to Gideon for his leadership. But over time they forget his leadership and forget what the Lord had done. How often do we build a memorial to celebrate the Lord’s blessing in our lives, only to end up idolizing the memorial? #dailydevotion #Lutherandevotional #DailyPlunge #DailyLectionary #DailyScripture #BookofJudges #Judges

Satisfying Vengeful Bloodlust (Judges 7:19–8:12). With just breaking clay jars and blowing trumpets the LORD defeats the oppressive army. But Gideon was not satisfied with the LORD’s vindication. God’s people go too far exacting bloodlust revenge upon the Midianites. They are ungrateful for God’s victory. #dailydevotion #Lutherandevotional #DailyPlunge #DailyLectionary #DailyScripture #BookofJudge...

So There’s No Confusion (Judges 7:1–18). Gideon wants to gather an army where God wants to gather the alert. God tells Gideon, “I cannot deliver a victory as long as you try to do it out of your strength.” #dailydevotion #Lutherandevotional #DailyPlunge #DailyLectionary #DailyScripture #BookofJudges #Judges

Dry Wet Testing (Judges 6:25–40). The LORD directs Gideon to tear down the false gods in his own family’s home. Worshipping fickle powerless gods is pointless. Still Gideon doubts God asking God to reassure him. #dailydevotion #Lutherandevotional #DailyPlunge #DailyLectionary #DailyScripture #BookofJudges #Judges

Weakest Least Leader (Judges 6:1–24). How often when we hear God is with us do we question God why we go though hardships? Often we are so afraid of our current circumstances and feel so beaten down, we can’t must the faith to trust God to work through us. #dailydevotion #Lutherandevotional #DailyPlunge #DailyLectionary #DailyScripture #BookofJudges #Judges

Unlikely Princely People (Judges 5:1–31). Deborah sings about how the princely people of God willingly offered themselves to the LORD. When called upon, will we engage in the spiritual battle or do we shirk from our duty? #dailydevotion #Lutherandevotional #DailyPlunge #DailyLectionary #DailyScripture #BookofJudges #Judges

Tent Peg Strength (Judges 4:4–23). Once again the people abandon God. When we go against the LORD in sin, we become an enemy to God. But they repent. God comes to deliver them. An unlikely hero has the strength to go up against the evil. #dailydevotion #Lutherandevotional #DailyPlunge #DailyLectionary #DailyScripture #BookofJudges #Judges

Atheist Generation Grows Up (Judges 2:1–5, 11–23). The generation of Joshua did not mentor the next generation who then did not know the LORD. We turn away from obedience in the faith relationship because our sin reckons it as a burden. #dailydevotion #Lutherandevotional #DailyPlunge #DailyLectionary #DailyScripture #BookofJudges #Judges

Covenant Keeping Capacity (Joshua 24:16–33). Every time we are in worship we recall the mighty acts of the LORD who has delivered us. Our God is the LORD, a holy, jealous God. Yet we want partial commitment; hanging on to false gods. The Law and the rocks accuses us. will no longer have the LORD fighting for you. #dailydevotion #Lutherandevotional #DailyPlunge #DailyLectionary #DailyScripture #Boo...

Dump Failed Idols (Joshua 24:1–15). Do we recall all the Gospel promises fulfilled in the scriptures and in our lives? Or do we forget all the ways the LORD saves us? Will we trust and revere God who overcomes all the failed false gods of this world? Will we as families pass on the faith to our children? #dailydevotion #Lutherandevotional #DailyPlunge #DailyLectionary #DailyScripture #BookofJoshua...

Invoking False Powers (Joshua 23:1–16). What are the powers we swear by? Money, politics, health, etc? We are warned not to invoke any other gods. If you dilute your faith by joining yourself to unbelievers and atheistic causes you will no longer have the LORD fighting for you. #dailydevotion #Lutherandevotional #DailyPlunge #DailyLectionary #DailyScripture #BookofJoshua #Joshua

Ravaging Sin Carnage (Joshua 10:1-15). What forces of sin join together to stop your Gospel transformation? Humanists complain about the wrath of God, but never consider the constant life destroying consequences of sin. God is not playing with sin. #dailydevotion #Lutherandevotional #DailyPlunge #DailyLectionary #DailyScripture #BookofJoshua #Joshua

Covenant Sidetracking Deception (Joshua 9:3–27). When we see only the outward appearance, we fail to discern the motives of people who are of this world. The people of God are set aside by and for the LORD to accomplish his purposes. The people of God are to be cautious about covenanting with the agendas of this world. #dailydevotion #Lutherandevotional #DailyPlunge #DailyLectionary #DailyScriptur...

Living Hiding In God (Joshua 8:30–35). The unpreached God is not the friend of unrepentant, willful sinners. How do we know mercy? By the cross and resurrection of Christ who reveals the hidden God. So Joshua reminds his people to find refuge in the LORD trusting him for their lives. #dailydevotion #Lutherandevotional #DailyPlunge #DailyLectionary #DailyScripture #BookofJoshua #Joshua

Ambushing Human Moralism (Joshua 8:1–22). The LORD calls Joshua to sack a city. How can God be so detestable and unknowable? The LORD doesn’t conform to our rational or legalism. Our rational and moralism is affronted by the unpreached unpreached God who wages war against sinners. #dailydevotion #Lutherandevotional #DailyPlunge #DailyLectionary #DailyScripture #BookofJoshua #Joshua

Dishonoring Untrusting Coveting (Joshua 7:1–13). God’s people take God’s promise for granted. God’s people cannot stand against the powers aligned against us with God’s protection. Coveting and greed gets in the way of honoring God who is the source of all blessings. Do we trust God to take care of us? #dailydevotion #Lutherandevotional #DailyPlunge #DailyLectionary #DailyScripture #BookofJoshua #...

Worthless Vindicating Theodicy (Joshua 6:15–27). We want God to operate by the Law. How do we understand a death dealing God? The annihilation of every living thing. The raw God, the naked God not hidden in the cross, will destroy all usurpers and opponents. #dailydevotion #Lutherandevotional #DailyPlunge #DailyLectionary #DailyScripture #BookofJoshua #Joshua