March 7, 2010

Today's reading: Joshua 6, 7, 8; Psalm 7, 37, 67, 97, 127; Proverbs 7

Joshua 7:4, "So there went up thither of the people about three thousand men: and they fled before the men of Ai."

The nation of Israel were going to battle with Ai after their big victory at Jericho. Remember how the seventh day that they circled the city seven times and then the priests blew the trumpets and the people shouted. The walls fell down flat upon themselves and the Israelites went in and destroyed the city. The problem was that a man named Achan took a Babylonian garment, silver and gold. God had told them not to take the "accursed" things. When going into battle against Ai they were sent running away because of sin in the camp.

God would not let His children get away with sin in the camp. Look at Joshua 7:11, "Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff." We get too caught up in "stuff" and not the things that please the Lord. This ought not to be.

Sin brings consequences. Look at Joshua 7:15, "And it shall be, that he that is taken with the accursed thing shall be burnt with fire, he and all that he hath: because he hath transgressed the covenant of the LORD, and because he hath wrought folly in Israel." God took very seriously the sin of Achan. He takes our sin seriously also. Look at Joshua 7:24-25, "And Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, and the silver, and the garment, and the wedge of gold, and his sons, and his daughters, and his oxen, and his asses, and his sheep, and his tent, and all that he had: and they brought them unto the valley of Achor. And Joshua said, Why hast thou troubled us? the LORD shall trouble thee this day. And all Israel stoned him with stones, and burned them with fire, after they had stoned them with stones." For some gold, silver and clothes not only did Achan die but his family and all his animals too. There are severe consequences for sin.

No matter how hard we try we will not prosper living in known sin. Look at Psalm 127:1, "Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain." We can work our fingers to the bone; but, if God is not in it then it is an exercise in futility or vanity. We must keep a short account with God on this thing of sin so that we can live our lives in such a way that will please Him and bring Him glory and honor.

Any sin in your camp?