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Today's Bible Reading...
March 15 - Joshua 7-8
Chapter 7 Achan sins
7:3 Joshua is over confident. It doesn't look like a big battle. He is defeated.
Do you try to fight little battles by yourself. Do you save God for only the big
events? Pride goes before destruction (Proverbs 16:18)
7:6 Joshua and the elders did not understand their defeat so they went before
God to inquire what the problem was. When things are going wrong, you're coming
unglued, life is falling apart around you - turn to God for direction!
7:7-9 A broken-hearted Joshua pours his heart out to God. God wants us to be
honest in our prayers.
God had commanded that all the cattle and belongings that were a part of the
plunder be destroyed when they conquered Jericho. As a result of Achan's sin:
1. Many men died (7:5)
2. The army melted in fear (7:5)
3. Joshua questioned God (7-9)
4. God threatened to withdraw God's presence from the people (7:12)
5. Achan and his family had to be destroyed
What lesson do we learn from this?
1. We must obey God in every area of our life.
2. Our sin not only hurts ourselves but hurts others.
3. Other people suffer the consequences of our disobedience to God.
4. You can't be good part of the time, you have to be good all of the time.
5. Sin is sin. It is all a big deal to God.
6. A little bit of greed can cause a lot of pain!
7:10-12 Achan's sin affected the whole nation because this was a national law.
This was not merely a desire for possessions, but Achan was indifferent to God's
command. God would not protect Israel's army again until the sin was removed.
When the sin was eliminated there were results:
1. Comfort and encouragement from God (8:1)
2. Victory in battle (8:1)
Chapter 8 Ai is destroyed
Israel had been cleansed from Achan's sin. Ai is destroyed.
8:30-35 The Law is Recorded at Mt. Ebal (Moses had commanded that this be done
(Deuteronomy 27).
What lessons can we learn:
1. When we ignore God's Word and are indifferent to God's commands trouble
comes.
2. When you are living outside God's will you will be vulnerable.
3. Confess you sins when you realize you have sinned.
4. Don't just pray - repent (turn around)
5. When you fall, get up. Refocus on God's plan, deal with the situation, move
on.
6. Learn from you mistakes. - Better if you can learn from the mistakes of
others.
7. Read all of God's word - the blessings and the curses - don't leave anything
out.
Teach it to your children. Obey it.
God, help me to always be faithful to you. Help me to get up when I stumble.
Help me to be patient and loving so that I can help others in their struggles.
In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.
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