13But the Israelites did not ...

13But the Israelites did not drive out the people of Geshur and Maakah, so they continue to live among the Israelites to this day.

14But to the tribe of Levi he gave no inheritance, since the food offerings presented to the Lord, the God of Israel, are their inheritance, as he promised them.

- P35

Joshua is now very old, but there are still large areas of the promised land that have not been taken over. God tells Joshua specifically which areas are meant to be a part of their inheritance. However, He also makes clear that He will not just stand by and watch as the people finish the task of occupying the land. God Himself will help them take possession. - P36

In this passage, we see that both God and His people have their roles to fulfill and that God’s actions and our obedience to Him work together to achieve His purposes. - P36

The promises of God are always fulfilled, but He gives us the privilege of collaborating with Him to complete His plans. - P36

Under Moses‘s leadership, two and a half tribes received their inheritance onthe east of the Jordan. The tribe of Levi does not receive a separate inheri-tance of land because God has other plans for them. The Israelites are alsoreminded that they failed to drive out all the people from the land. Conflictand hardship will plague future generations because of this failure.  - P36

We maynot always recognize the full impact of our decisions, but God does. WhenHe calls us to eliminate all idolatrous influences from our lives, we shouldtrust that He knows what is best.  - P36

We should be quick to obey so that wecan remain His holy people and accomplish what He has called us to do. - P36

The level of detail in the record of boundaries and city names attests to itsimportance. The list reflects the goodness of God; He keeps His promises.
Today, all who faithfully follow Him have the reassurance and excitementthat they also have a rich inheritance of eternity with Him. - P37

Dear God, forgive me for the times I have offered You only partial obedience. Instead of selfishly choosing my own way, I want to be reminded of the privilege of serving You. Help me to use my time and talents for Your kingdom. In Jesus’ name, amen. - P37

[오늘의 한문장] 리빙라이프 Living Life 2025.12 (영문판)

6Moses, the servant of the Lord, and the Israelites conquered them. And Moses the servant of the Lord gave their land to the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh to be their possession. - P30

This passage looks back at the kings the Israelites defeated as they made their way into the promised land. The names of the kings and their respective territories are carefully recorded, reminding God’s people of the divine favor they have experienced under Moses’s leadership. They have been able to conquer the territories on the east side of the Jordan River, and two and a half tribes have even decided to settle there because of the fruitfulness of the land. - P32

Taking time to appreciate our history with God reminds us to stay strong as we go forward. When we encounter future struggles, we will have greater trust and confidence because we will remember His continued faithfulness to us. - P32

Under Joshua‘s leadership, Israel conquers even more cities across a broadlandscape of hills, mountains, and wilderness. The long list of thirty-onedefeated kings reminds the people of the formidable battles they have beenable to win because they serve a powerful God who is faithful to keep Hispromises. They have been able to conquer these kings because Joshua hasbeen committed to serving the Lord.  - P32

May we model his devotion and listencarefully for God‘s direction, knowing that there is no challenge too greatfor Him. We can also keep a written record of God‘s power and faithfulnessin our lives and read over our list whenever we are tempted to doubt or fearany challenges ahead. - P32

Tangible reminders are helpful in remembering my own history with God.
A small keepsake or note prompts me to smile as I think about His faith-fulness in the past. I offer praise and thanks to God as I am grateful onceagain for all that I have, and I am encouraged as I go forward that He willcontinue to be with me. I keep more tangible reminders in strategic placesso that I can continue to remember as my story with God unfolds. Sometimes, I  - P33

also put a reminder in my calendar to take time to appreciate cer-tain people or events. I remember how the Holy Spirit has spoken throughthese individuals or through different situations, and I am ever thankful andrenewed in my joy that I get to walk with Him each day. - P33

Father, thank you that You have been faithful in every season of my life. I remember my history with You and give thanks and praise because You have been a continual source of provision, protection, and strength. You deserve all the glory and honor. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen. - P33

The Hivites living in Gibeon ...

The Hivites living in Gibeon tricked the Israelites into making a treaty of peace, but the other nations do not even attempt to do so. God in His sovereignty allows their hearts to remain hardened against Israel. This does not mean that they have no will of their own; the people from these cities are not without sin, and they face the consequences of their actions. - P28

We may be tempted to think God unjust for hardening their hearts, but the reality is that all people are prone to sin and God is the only judge who knows all and understands what is truly just. - P28

As we trust in Him, we will also grow to understand that He sometimes administers His judgment in ways we do not expect. - P28

Having defeated even the Anakites—the giants in the land-Joshua takesthe entire area that God had originally assigned to Moses. The Israeliteshave persisted through a long period of waiting, traveling, and fighting, andthe tribes finally receive their inheritance. They can settle into the promisedland that now has rest from war.  - P28

When we seek the fulfillment of God‘spromises, we sometimes go through a long period of waiting, working,
and struggle. During this time, we can either become impatient and lazyor faithful and hardworking.  - P28

May we not give up during long periods ofdifficulty but see these times as opportunities to demonstrate our trust inGod and grow in our faith through our waiting. - P28

Instead, I felt the Holy Spirit prompting me to simplyworship and pray in a relational way to focus on the relationship betweenGod and myself. I needed to remember that God was my good and lovingFather and that Christ was the foundational rock beneath my feet. Evenif everything else was being shaken around me, I would be able to remainsecure and confident if I remembered my relationship to Him.
A few days later, I do not yet have tangible answers or solutions to what liesahead, but I feel radically different. I have a sense of assurance that I do notneed to worry so much. At the proper time, the answers will become clear. Irecognize that, during this season, I am being refined in my confidence andsecurity in God regardless of what is happening around me. - P29

Dear Lord, I confess that it is sometimes difficult to endure when I feel that a situation is unjust or when I go through long periods of waiting and struggle. In these times, help me to draw closer to You so that I may grow in my faith and character. In Your name I pray, amen. - P29

[오늘의 한문장] 리빙라이프 Living Life 2025.12 (영문판)

Because Joshua and Israel have had many successes in battle, multiple kings decide to band together to fight against God’s people. The opposing army is immense, with troops, horses, and chariots as numerous as the sand on the seashore (v. 4). Yet, God tells Joshua not to be afraid because all of them will be defeated within the next twenty-four hours. - P24

There may be times when we face challenges that seem impossible to overcome. But though we feel small and helpless, nothing is impossible for God. If we are following His plans, we can be confident of His support. Even in seemingly insurmountable situations, we do not have to respond with fear; we can grow in faith as we step forward with God. - P24

However, Joshua did not focus on what he could not do. He focused on God. He stepped up to thechallenges, confident that the Lord would help him accomplish whateverassignment he received from Him. - P25

Dear God, thank you for the limitations that remind me to stay close to You. When I face overwhelming challenges, help me see the situation from Your perspective. May I respond with faith rather than fear, confident that You are with me. In Jesus’ name, amen. - P25

18Then the Lord said to Joshu...

18Then the Lord said to Joshua, "Hold out toward Ai the javelin that is in your hand, for into your hand I will deliver the city." So Joshua held out toward the city the javelin that was in his hand.

19As soon as he did this, the men in the ambush rose quickly from their position and rushed forward. They entered the city and captured it and quickly set it on fire.

20The men of Ai looked back and saw the smoke of the city rising up into the sky, but they had no chance to escape in any direction; the Israelites who had been fleeing toward the wilderness had turned back against their pursuers.

21For when Joshua and all Israel saw that the ambush had taken the city and that smoke was going up from it, they turned around and attacked the men of Ai.

22Those in the ambush also came out of the city against them, so that they were caught in the middle, with Israelites on both sides. Israel cut them down, leaving them neither survivors nor fugitives.

23But they took the king of Ai alive and brought him to Joshua.

- P125

Joshua rises early, gathers the Israelite army, and approaches Ai. He and hismen pretend to retreat, drawing Ai‘s forces out. The Israelites then ambushthe city, set it on fire, and Ai‘s army is trapped between Israel‘s troops. Joshuaholds out his javelin until the city is destroyed. Israel strikes down Ai‘s army,
leaving none alive except the captured king. - P125

How easy it is to be blinded by past success! Because the army of Ai has defeated Israel before, they are overconfident and easily fall for Israel’s strategic trap. This can serve as a warning to those of us who tend to rely on our own strengths and abilities. We cannot assume that we will have success every time simply because we have had success in the past. - P126

In the second battle, Joshua and the people of Israel seek, follow, and trust in God’s leadership, and they lure the men of Ai away from the city, leaving it vulnerable to attack. - P126

What a contrast we see here between those who place their faith in themselves and those who trust in the Lord!
- P126

God tells Joshua to point his javelin at Ai, the weapon symbolizing thatHe is delivering the city into Joshua‘s hand. Immediately, the men of Israelrush forward and capture the city, setting it ablaze, God is fulfilling Hispromise that He would bring His people to the promised land. However,
Israel has to achieve several victories in battle in order to acquire the land.
- P126

Those who are already in Canaan are not without sin: They worship idolsand would later encourage the Israelites to also engage in idolatry. God isuprooting idolatry and wickedness through these battles.  - P126

In our own lives,
let us not tolerate any idolatry, but resist anything and anyone that mightdrive us away from God. - P126

Lord Jesus, the world is full of idols, and many deny Your truth and mock Your ways. - P127

Help me to fight against idolatry and keep my focus on You in seasons of turmoil and testing. In Your name I pray, amen. - P127