Today’s Reading: Joshua 7-8; Luke 23; Psalm 62

God entered into a covenant relationship with the people of Israel. A covenant is a formal or serious agreement between two people or two parties. This agreement was that the people of Israel would obey God out of love for Him and He would be with them and bless them in return. If they chose disobedience, there would be curses instead.

A MAN REAPS WHAT HE SOWS.

Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. – Galatians 6:8

After their victory at Jericho, God gave specific instructions not to take any of the things from Jericho for themselves, but only to pull aside the silver, gold, bronze, and iron for the Lord’s treasury. If anyone disobeyed, it would bring trouble to the entire camp. A man named Achan saw a beautiful robe, 200 silver coins and a bar of gold weighing more than a pound. He wanted them so much that he took them (7:21). God had supplied Achan’s every need, but Achan was focused more on what he wanted but did not have, rather than focusing on all God had provided.

Unaware of this hidden sin, Joshua confidently led a group of 3000 warriors to the next town, but they were defeated and lost 36 of their men. The people were so sure that God would bless them and give them victory, yet God did not work as they expected. They were paralyzed with fear at this turn of events and their courage melted away. They tore their clothes in dismay and bowed down to the ground asking God, “Why?”

How often is our faith paralyzed by fear when God does not move as we expect Him to? We long to trust God in spite of the pain and suffering. If we’ve learned anything from Joshua, it is to be strong and courageous. Do not be overcome by fear, but recognize God’s presence all around us.

HOLD TIGHTLY TO GOD IN ALL SITUATIONS, EVEN WHEN HE DOES NOT MOVE AS WE EXPECT HIM TO.

When Joshua and the people came to the Lord, seeking an answer for their defeat, God revealed that the covenant relationship had been broken. God ordered that everything be eliminated that would keep them from being totally devoted to Him. Achan had kept items from the Jericho plunder, items that had been set apart for destruction. He confessed his sin saying, “I wanted them so much that I took them” (7:21).

The definition of sin itself — to know what you ought to do and then not do it (James 4:17). How often do we let our sin nature take over and do exactly what we know we should not do. The apostle Paul described it well in Romans chapter 7.

“And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway.” – Romans 7:18-19

Achan was found guilty and his sin not only destroyed him and the 36 warriors who died in battle, but also his entire family. His selfish decision affected those he loved most, left 36 families grieving the loss of their soldier, and brought trouble to the entire camp. They placed stones over the place where Achan died for his sins and named the place the Valley of Trouble.

When we choose to do what we want to do with total disregard for God’s instructions, we find ourselves in a dark place — a place of trouble. The good news is that we serve a God who wants to restore the covenant relationship with us. He is willing to forgive us and bring us from a point of defeat to a place of grace. Thank you, God, for your undeserved blessings! You are so generous to us.

GOD PULLS US FROM THE GRAVE OF OUR SIN AND WALKS US THROUGH A GATEWAY OF HOPE.

I will return her vineyards to her and transform the Valley of Trouble into a gateway of hope. – Hosea 2:15a

Today we are reminded that Jesus willingly died for our sins. He who was without sin followed God’s plan of salvation, even though it meant a painful crucifixion. As he hung on the cross, two criminals hung on either side of Jesus. One mocked the Lord while the other recognized that Jesus had done nothing to deserve this place on the cross, while he bore the weight of his own sins that day. He asked Jesus to remember him in his kingdom, recognizing that Jesus was in fact the King of the Jews.

And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” – Luke 23:43

As you read the story of Achan, did you feel shame settle into your spirit? Do you feel the weight of your sin, picturing yourself in a place of trouble and ashamed by your actions? We have all sinned; we all live with regrets of decisions made and seasons of rebellion. But Jesus died on the cross so that we can experience freedom from our sins — escape from our place of trouble. He has invited us to enter into a gateway of hope and fully accept the salvation for which He died. Perhaps Good Friday can be your day to accept Jesus’ invitation to transform your Valley of Trouble into a Gateway of Hope.

Let all that I am wait quietly before God,
for my hope is in him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress where I will not be shaken.
My victory and honor come from God alone.
He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.
O my people, trust in him at all times.
Pour out your heart to him,
for God is our refuge. – Psalm 62:5-8