S) "13 Rise up! Consecrate the people and say, 'Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, for thus the Lord, the God of Israel, has said, "There are things under the ban in your midst, O Israel. You cannot stand before your enemies until you have removed the things under the ban from your midst."'"
Joshua 7:13 (NASB)
O) Israel was recently defeated (vv.1-5), so Joshua comes facedown before the LORD (v.6) until evening, when he then prays to God. He's quite confused and discouraged (vv.7-9), when God gives His reply. The above verse (taken from vv.10-15), really seems to sum up the whole story with several points of emphasis.
1) God is a King of kings. He wants us to rise! We must be humble, but we should have His confidence.
2) God is holy, so we should be holy. There can be no sin among God's people.
3) We cannot fight to overcome the consequences of sin.
4) Victory only comes after sin is removed.
1) God is a King of kings. He wants us to rise! We must be humble, but we should have His confidence.
2) God is holy, so we should be holy. There can be no sin among God's people.
3) We cannot fight to overcome the consequences of sin.
4) Victory only comes after sin is removed.
A) Sometimes I feel (and even react) exactly like Joshua. I realize a mistake has, or will, cost me. Then, my instinct is to fruitlessly speculate about what I should or should not have done. This is not the same as repentence, though. In the above verse, God reveals the root of the problem, then follows it with a command to purify the camp again. God doesn't want me to wallow in the messes I've created. I need to rise up, acknowledge my sin, humbly submit to His sovereignty, and repent. Then, God willing, I can recover what I was meant to have or do (like Joshua, going up against Ai).
P) Father, forgive me for my sins. I can see clearly some of my transgressions, but reveal to me any hidden sin in my heart and life. You are my holy God, and I want to be Your holy servant. I know that I cannot overcome the consequences of my sins on my own. I repent of my sins. Take them from me, and cleanse me, and let me be sanctified again. According to Your will, please restore whatever could be lost. Command me to go where You will, and do what You declare. Thank You for mercy and grace. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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