December 31 – Joshua 7:10-15

December 31 – Joshua 7:10-15

¹⁰ The Lord said to Joshua, “Get up! Why have you fallen on your face? ¹¹ Israel has sinned; they have transgressed my covenant that I commanded them; they have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen and lied and put them among their own belongings. ¹² Therefore the people of Israel cannot stand before their enemies. They turn their backs before their enemies, because they have become devoted for destruction.  I will be with you no more, unless you destroy the devoted things from among you. ¹³ Get up! Consecrate the people and say, ‘Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow; for thus says the Lord, God of Israel, “There are devoted things in your midst, O Israel. You cannot stand before your enemies until you take away the devoted things from among you.” ¹⁴ In the morning therefore you shall be brought near by your tribes. And the tribe that the Lord takes by lot shall come near by clans. And the clan that the Lord takes shall come near by households. And the household that the Lord takes shall come near man by man. ¹⁵ And he who is taken with the devoted things shall be burned with fire, he and all that he has, because he has transgressed the covenant of the Lord, and because he has done an outrageous thing in Israel.’”

There is so much in these verses, but I want to focus on the fact that there are consequences to our sin.  Even though Jesus has died so we can be with God for eternity, there are consequences.  They had to destroy those things they had taken that they weren’t supposed to take, and they had to consecrate themselves, or cleanse themselves.  It sure appears they got off easy, but I can certainly feel the anger in these words, so I doubt they really did get off easy, but it sure seems so at times.  This isn’t something new for these people.  They continually made the same mistakes and had to suffer God’s wrath, but it sure seems they don’t learn.

What are some consequences you’e suffered because of your sin? 

In what way were you required to consecrate yourself before God to be right with Him?

Heavenly Father, please be with me and guide me so I don’t have to suffer Your wrath.  The worst part of my sin is knowing I have disappointed You.  It hurts me to the core to know I have not only disappointed You, but have done something that harms our fellowship.  I’m sorry for the things I have done that have caused You harm in how people look at You.  I know that when I call myself a Christian and then don’t act in a way that lines up with Your word, I harm how they look at You.  Please for me and help me do better.  Help me see Your truth before I step out of Your will for me.  Help me remember that I represent not only myself, but You and all those who call You Father and to take that seriously as I go about each day.

In Jesus’ name.

Amen!