Friday, October 13 – Joshua 8:35

There was not a word of all that Moses had commanded which Joshua did not read before all the assembly of Israel with the women, the little ones, and the strangers who were living among them.

Every book has a target audience. For a parenting book, the author writes to adults who have children. A cookbook is written for someone with a kitchen and some basic knowledge of cooking. The target audience of the Bible is all people. Today’s passage tells us Joshua read the words of Moses for all who were present, no matter their age or background. The Bible is not only for adults who have the education to understand it; it’s also for children. It is not only for those familiar with religious practices but also strangers; it’s for men and women and Jews and Gentiles too. The Word of God matters and applies to our lives no matter who we are.

Hebrews 4:12-13 says, “For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him to whom we must answer.” The Word is not only a good thing for us all to know and live by, but also vital for true life in God. We all share the basic need for God, greater than our need for air in our lungs or food in our stomachs. His Word is not just for the religious, or those with an education, it is for all who have a need for Him and that includes every person. Do not let someone’s age or background deter you from sharing God’s Word. There is no child too small, adult too stubborn, or person too broken that does not need this hope—it is for all of us.

• Who do you struggle to share God’s Word with?
• How is faith encouraged when we remember the basic need we have for God?
• Pray and ask God to help you know His Word so that you can share it with others.