January 1 - Joshua 7:16-26

January 1 - Joshua 7:16-26

16  So Joshua rose early in the morning and brought Israel near tribe by tribe, and the tribe of Judah was taken.  17  And he brought near the clans of Judah, and the clan of the Zerahites was taken. And he brought near the clan of the Zerahites man by man,and Zabdi was taken.  18  And he brought near his household man by man, and Achan the son of Carmi, son of Zabdi, son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, was taken.  19  Then Joshua said to Achan, “My son, give glory to the LORD God of Israel and give praise to him. And tell me now what you have done; do not hide it from me.”  20  And Achan answered Joshua, “Truly I have sinned against the LORD God of Israel, and this is what I did:  21  when I saw among the spoil a beautiful cloak from Shinar, and 200 shekels of silver, and a bar of gold weighing 50 shekels, then I coveted them and took them. And see, they are hidden in the earth inside my tent, with the silver underneath.” 22  So Joshua sent messengers, and they ran to the tent; and behold, it was hidden in his

tent with the silver underneath.  23  And they took them out of the tent and brought them to Joshua and to all the people of Israel. And they laid them down before the LORD.  24  And Joshua and all Israel with him took Achan the son of Zerah, and the silver and the cloak and the bar of gold, and his sons and daughters and his oxen and donkeys and sheep and his tent and all that he had. And they brought them up to the Valley of Achor.  25  And Joshua said, “Why did you bring trouble on us? The LORD brings trouble on you today.” And all Israel stoned him with stones. They burned them with fire and stoned them with stones.  26  And they raised over him a great heap of stones that remains to this day. Then the LORD turned from his burning anger. Therefore, to this day the name of that place is called the Valley of Achor.

 

Once again we see how disobedience can cause such destruction. 

Sin has drastic consequences.  What are you doing in your life to avoid sin?

In our world today we are bombarded with advertisements urging materialism and focus on self and pleasure. 

It’s easy to get caught up in wanting what our friends, family or neighbor has. 

Ask yourself if you have any forms of coveting in your life. 

If so, ask God to show you His ways and seek a life of simplicity. 

 

Heavenly Father, it is so easy to get my focus on things that don’t matter, but are right in front of me.  Help me to see You above everything else, and understand that You ARE the focus and should always be my focus.  I can’t help but think of the verses that tell us that someday every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that YOU are Lord of lords and King of kings.  I can’t wait until that day when all creation can no longer pretend other things matter more than You.  I ache for those people who can’t see the truth.  Help me know how to share You with the lost in a way that they can see You, trust You, and live for You.

 

In Jesus’ name.

Amen!

 

January 2 - Joshua 8:1-9