The Daily Plunge!

Ludicrous Prayer Marching (Joshua 6:1–14). God tells Joshua to do something ridiculous to win a battle: spend seven days in prayer procession. The world looks at prayer and worship as a powerless waste of time. When we pray we look for God to bring the victory. #dailydevotion #Lutherandevotional #DailyPlunge #DailyLectionary #DailyScripture #BookofJoshua #Joshua

Flint Cut Faith (Joshua 5:1–15). For 40 years the LORD provided practically and spiritually for God’s people in the wilderness, yet they resisted faith. Now this new generation is to be consecrated to the LORD trusting not in their own strength, but be consecrated to trusting the promise giving God.   #dailydevotion #Lutherandevotional #DailyPlunge #DailyLectionary #DailyScripture #BookofJosh...

Miracle Preaching Stones (Joshua 4:1-19). After the whole nation crosses a dry river, each tribe is told to select one large stone from the riverbed. The stones are to preach to future generations about the faithfulness of the LORD. To preach God’s work of light is to create faith in times of darkness.   #dailydevotion #Lutherandevotional #DailyPlunge #DailyLectionary #DailyScripture #BookofJ...

Impassible Consecrated Crossing (Joshua 3:1–17). All Israel is jostled to prepare to cross an impassible flooded river. They are challenged to consecrate themselves to see what the LORD will do. Do we make ourselves a sanctuary where the LORD will be revealed? If we don’t know the LORD is among us, will we see and hear his deliverance? #dailydevotion #Lutherandevotional #DailyPlunge #DailyLectiona...

Scarlet Window Protection (Joshua 2:15–24). How does God lead us to the right person? Rahab is the one who instructs the men how to safely escape the city. This unlikely messenger makes the spies promise to save her entire family. #dailydevotion #Lutherandevotional #DailyPlunge #DailyLectionary #DailyScripture #BookofJoshua

Secret Prostitute Spy (Joshua 2:1–14). Two secret spies sent to scout out Jericho are kept safe by the prostitute Rahab. She makes righteous lies to protect them. When is lying in this unholy world justified? Even more, she makes the bold confession that the LORD is the only true living God. This prostitute will go on to be in the lineage of the Messiah. (see Matt 1:5) #dailydevotion #Lutherandevo...

Strong Courageous Faith (Joshua 1:1–18). Where the disobedience made Moses forfeit the promised inheritance, Joshua is called to be strong and courageous in obeying God’s commands. How are we to be strong and courageous when we know we don’t obey all the LORD commands?   #dailydevotion #Lutherandevotional #DailyPlunge #DailyLectionary #DailyScripture #BookofJoshua

Judging Murderous Refugees (Numbers 35:1–3,9–15,30–34). The LORD establishes precedent for executing justice in an imperfect society. The rule of Law does not bring grace, but it does bring judgment. Even for murderers, God creates ways to preserve life. #dailydevotion #Lutherandevotional #DailyPlunge #DailyLectionary #DailyScripture #BookofNumbers

Proxy Spiritual Warfare (Numbers 32:1–6, 16–27). Are we willing to go to spiritual battle after we get our comfort? Will we arm ourselves for battle on behalf of others? Will we do the wield the Word and Faith to help others in their spiritual struggle? #dailydevotion #Lutherandevotional #DailyPlunge #DailyLectionary #DailyScripture #BookofNumbers

Handing A New Leader (Numbers 27:12–23). In the transition from Moses to Joshua, we see the characteristics of a godly leader. Leading people to trust in God’s promises is challenging. Joshua is appointed to lead God’s people through different challenges but the same message: God alone saves. #dailydevotion #Lutherandevotional #DailyPlunge #DailyLectionary #DailyScripture #BookofNumbers

Ultimate Positive Mode (Numbers 24:12–25). Balaam is not done giving unwanted blessings upon God’s people. These are the words of one whose eyes are opened by God. Opposite of fear, Hope is the positive mode of anticipating the future. #dailydevotion #Lutherandevotional #DailyPlunge #DailyLectionary #DailyScripture #BookofNumbers

Preaching Heard Word (Numbers 24:1–13). Learning to drop divination, Balaam discovers the Spirit of God by recognizing the revelation of God’s deliverance. Now Balaam preaches from the word he hears from God rather than speculative theology. #dailydevotion #Lutherandevotional #DailyPlunge #DailyLectionary #DailyScripture #BookofNumbers

Failed Cursing Divination (Numbers 23:1–23:26). Who is Balaam sacrificing to? God puts His Word in Balaam’s mouth. Unlike humans who lie, the LORD speaks, then acts; God promises, then fulfills. God calls Israel into existence and is sign of what God has done! #dailydevotion #Lutherandevotional #DailyPlunge #DailyLectionary #DailyScripture #BookofNumbers

Reckless Stubborn God (Numbers 22:21–38). Balaam the seer thinks he can cajole the LORD like he does with pagan idols to do his will. The stubborn God will use anything for his purposes. So the LORD uses a voiceless donkey to warn a blind seer. #dailydevotion #Lutherandevotional #DailyPlunge #DailyLectionary #DailyScripture #BookofNumbers

For-Hire Pagan Soothsayer (Numbers 22:1–21). Great dread comes over the pagan king so he shops for a mercenary soothsayer, Balaam. The LORD will not be stymied by outside spiritual forces. His blessing will prevail not only over the opponents, but even through the opponents. #dailydevotion #Lutherandevotional #DailyPlunge #DailyLectionary #DailyScripture # BookofNumbers

Promised Attached Snake (Numbers 21:4–9, 21–35). After the LORD delivers them, these impatient Israelites turn around to speak against God and Moses. For not trusting God’s word, God retracts his promise. After sending snakes, God then attaches the promise of healing to the bronze snake. #dailydevotion #Lutherandevotional #DailyPlunge #DailyLectionary #DailyScripture # BookofNumbers

Continuous Hardship Dependability (Numbers 20:14–29).  As Moses negotiates a passage for the Israelites he gives witness to the LORD who emphasized with their plight and delivered them from slavery. Still in the midst of hardship, the LORD provides continuing leadership for his people. #dailydevotion #Lutherandevotional #DailyPlunge #DailyLectionary #DailyScripture # BookofNumbers

Double Tap Arrogance (Numbers 20:1–13). Rather than be humbled by God’s wrath, persistent grumblers invite it saying they would rather be dead as slaves than die in the desert from thirst. They minimize the power and generosity of a holy God.  Rather than rely on preaching God’s word to the rock, Moses scolds the people. #dailydevotion #Lutherandevotional #DailyPlunge #DailyLectionary #DailyS...

Blossoming Dead Wood (Numbers 17:1–11). God is determined to settle the leadership question. What illustrates spiritual leadership is the supernatural blessing of ministry. All of our efforts are just dead wood. What counts is new life. #dailydevotion #Lutherandevotional #DailyPlunge #DailyLectionary #DailyScripture # BookofNumbers

Conflict Hammering Altar (Numbers 16:36–50). The LORD tells Moses to hammer the very symbols of conflict into a covering for the altar. Rather than hide a secret, God’s people are to remember the spiritual rebellion. Spiritual intercessors stand between living faith and dead sin. #dailydevotion #Lutherandevotional #DailyPlunge #DailyLectionary #DailyScripture # BookofNumbers

Swallowing Swaggering Sin (Numbers 16:20–35). Do we kneel before the LORD? Do we stand thinking we negotiate with God? Swaggering leaders assume they have more influence than God. The LORD swallows up their sin. God will not be used. #dailydevotion #Lutherandevotional #DailyPlunge #DailyLectionary #DailyScripture # BookofNumbers

Disrespectful Democratic Demands (Numbers 16:1–19). Representative leaders are bold and brazen to assume they can vote on God’s will. While everyone in the congregation is holy, not all are called by God. Moses, called to serve God by serving the congregation, is hurt by their accusations of  self-serving leadership. #dailydevotion #Lutherandevotional #DailyPlunge #DailyLectionary #DailyScrip...

Continual Complaining Grumbling (Numbers 14:26–45). The people grumble against God accusing God of not being faithful. As they withdraw from God, God withdraws his promise. As they turned away from the LORD, they discovered through defeat the LORD was absent. #dailydevotion #Lutherandevotional #DailyPlunge #DailyLectionary #DailyScripture # BookofNumbers

Grumbling Grasshopper Slaves (Numbers 13:31–14:25). While Caleb and Joshua trust God to lead them, the other ten say no go. All the people grumble against God saying they would rather go back to being slaves. Why do we fear the earthly threats more than God? #dailydevotion #Lutherandevotional #DailyPlunge #DailyLectionary #DailyScripture # BookofNumbers

God Scouting Expedition (Numbers 13:1–3, 21–30). God sends men to tell about the land promised. While they agree the promised land is bountiful, they see with their eyes that their opponents are giants and they seem like grasshoppers. Do we believe God’s promises? #dailydevotion #Lutherandevotional #DailyPlunge #DailyLectionary #DailyScripture # BookofNumbers