December 30 – Joshua 7:1-9
December 30 – Joshua 7:1-9
7 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.
2 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. 3 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.” 4 So about
three thousand men went up there from the people. And they fled before the
men of Ai, 5 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.
6 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. 7 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! 8 O
Lord, what can I say, when Israel has turned their backs before their
enemies! 9 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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