December 30 – Joshua 7:1-9

December 30 – Joshua 7:1-9

But the people of Israel broke faith in regard to the devoted things, for Achan the son of Carmi, son of Zabdi, son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of the devoted things. And the anger of the Lord burned against the people of Israel.

Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is near Beth-aven, east of Bethel, and said to them, “Go up and spy out the land.” And the men went up and spied out Ai. And they returned to Joshua and said to him, “Do not have all the people go up, but let about two or three thosand men go up and attack Ai. Do not make the whole people toil up there, for they are few.” So about three thousand men went up there from the people. And they fled before the men of Ai, and the men of Ai killed about thirty-six of their men and chased them before the gate as far as Shebarim and struck them at the descent. And the hearts of the people melted and became as water.

Then Joshua tore his clothes and fell to the earth on his face before the ark of the Lord until the evening, he and the elders of Israel. And they put dust on their heads. And Joshua said, “Alas, O Lord God, why have you brought this people over the Jordan at all, to give us into the hands of the Amorites, to destroy us? Would that we had been content to dwell beyond the Jordan! O Lord, what can I say, when Israel has turned their backs before their enemies! For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land will hear of it and will surround us and cut off our name from the earth. And what will you do for your great name?”

How often do the Israelites need to see God’s protection when they are obedient, and His wrath when they are not for them to learn?  How long does it take for us to learn?  So many times I read scripture and shake my head thinking, “here we go again”, but I am no better.  I make the same mistakes, new mistakes, it doesn’t matter, if I’m not listening to God, then I’m making a mistake.  Disobedience leads to ruin.  For those in the Old Testament, for those in the New Testament, and for you and me today.

What is holding you back from being obedient to God today?  Is there an area where you think you can handle things on your own and don’t need His help?  That is going to be the one that trips you up and brings you to your knees.  Maybe not today or tomorrow, but it will.  Anything that becomes an idol to us and replaces God in our lives, or comes between us and God, will bring us to ruin.

Heavenly Father, help me see what You have for me to give up, change or relinquish to You today.  I know we all have things that trip us up and I don’t want anything to come between me and obedience to You.  I don’t want anything to stand in the way of me hearing You clearly and seeing Your truth.  Help me identify those things and remove them so I can take a step closer to complete obedience.  Thank You for always helping me see Your truth.  There are times I truly don’t want to see it, but know I need to see it.  Help me grow in You so I am ready and willing to see Your truth and to act on it.  I know when You call me to something, You will enable me to complete it.  All You require of me is obedience.  I also know when I am disobedient, it is due to lack of faith.  I believe…help me with my unbelief.

In Jesus’ name.

Amen!

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