INTO THE WEEK: JULY 6, 2025

Greetings, 

The God who rescued Israel from Egypt in the first exodus is about to do a new thing: a new exodus from Babylon that will be like the old exodus and not like it.  Exodus themes play a large role in the second part of Isaiah.  God will bring the chosen people out of Babylon just as surely as God had brought them out of Egypt hundreds of years ago.  But there is a surprise here: Remember the exodus? Now, forget it (Exodus 43:18)! Not because the old deliverance was invalid, but because it is about to be surpassed. God never rests on God’s past laurels, nor should Israel.

Isaiah 43:16-21 compels us to view our experience of God’s grace in the past as a springboard so that we view neither present nor future with fear but with expectation.  God will act as God has in the past, because God remains constantly committed to acts of deliverance; God will do a new thing, because God is always taking people to surprising new places. - Enter the Bible

 Scripture Reading: Isaiah 43:16-21

16. Thus says the LORD, who makes a way in the sea, a path in the mighty waters,

17. who brings out chariot and horse, army and warrior; they lie down; they cannot rise; they are extinguished, quenched like a wick:

18. Do not remember the former things or consider the things of old.

19. I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth; do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

20. The wild animals will honor me, the jackals and the ostriches, for I give water in the wilderness, rivers in the desert, to give drink to my chosen people,

21. the people whom I formed for myself so that they might declare my praise.

 Sermonic Text: Joshua 1:1-9

1. After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, saying, 

2 ‘My servant Moses is dead. Now proceed to cross the Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the Israelites. 

3 Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, as I promised to Moses. 

4 From the wilderness and the Lebanon as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, to the Great Sea in the west shall be your territory. 

5 No one shall be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you. 

6 Be strong and courageous; for you shall put this people in possession of the land that I swore to their ancestors to give them. 

7 Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to act in accordance with all the law that my servant Moses commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, so that

you may be successful wherever you go. 

8 This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth; you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to act in accordance with all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall be successful. 

9 I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.’

Question for Reflection

“Behold, I will do a new thing”: Staying stuck in the past can keep us from the new thing God wants to do.

God asks the question today, “Will you stay in step with My Spirit?

Household Prayer:  Morning

Merciful God, as I begin this day, place in me a spirit of generosity so that I may freely share love, joy and encouragement with those I encounter.  Keep me from quick judgments so that I leave room for your grace in my life and in the lives of others.  Make me your faithful disciple in my words and in my actions, as well as in the thoughts of my heart; in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Household Prayer:  Evening

All through the day, Lord Jesus, you have been present.  As I settle into the routines of home and evening, I long to be at home in my relationship with you.  Help me to put aside the cares of the day and the worries of tomorrow in order to fully enjoy the peace of your presence now.  I pray that your peace will also be with those I know who have special need of your care tonight, and I pray for those who lie down this night without the safety of home or bed, without enough food or resources.  Bring your light into the surrounding darkness so that all of us may sleep in the security of your love.  Amen.

Inspirational Songs:

Come By Here, My Lord

We’ve Come to Worship You

Lord, I Lift Your Name on High

Lift Him Up

I’m Gonna Live so God Can Use Me

I’m So Glad Jesus Lifted Me

The Storm is Passing Over

I’ve Decided to Make Jesus My Choice

Thank You, Lord

Tell the World About Jesus