Text: Joshua 7:1-12
Memory text:
“How could one chase a thousand, And two put ten thousand to flight, Unless their Rock had sold them, And the Lord had surrendered them?”
Deuteronomy 32:30 NKJV
There is a saying that, “A cattle does not know the value of its tail until it is cut off”. I understood the literal meaning of this saying one day as I stood by our cattle shed and saw the cattle struggling to ward off the flies on them. The cattle were stamping their legs on the ground and shaking their heads and their bodies at the same time. However, their tails were obviously more effective in warding off the flies. Then, I began to wonder how the cattle would have coped with the ‘annoying’ flies without their tails.
In our text today, the children of Israel experienced the horror of losing God’s presence when Achan took the accursed things. Just before now, the same Israel utterly defeated the mighty Jericho, even in their highly protected city, but now routed by a small city, called Ai. They fled before the people of Ai and many became casualties. Moses summarized the answer in our memory text.
When Joshua inquired of the Lord for the cause of the great tragedy, God simply replied, “Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because they have become doomed to destruction. Neither will I be with you anymore, unless you destroy the accursed from among you.” (Josh 7:12).
You see, none of us, no matter how strong or wise is a match for the devil. Your daily victories and exploits, even when you don’t realize it, can only be traced to the presence and defense of the Almighty. If He withdraws for a second, you are done for. If God would give you a glimpse of the invisible, to see the battles against your destiny which He has given you victories over, you will say like David, ““If it had not been the Lord who was on our side,” Let Israel now say—”
(Psa 124:1). Even now, put your name in the place of ‘Israel’ and read out the whole Psalm in an attitude of thanksgiving to the Almighty.
Those little, little disobediences and secret sins may look pleasurable and make a person appear smart in his own sight but the prize will be too high to bear. It’s better to be imagined than experienced! Achan’s sin brought shame, casualties and defeat to Israel and utter destruction to himself and his family. “Try to make a profit dishonestly, and you get your family in trouble. Don’t take bribes and you will live longer.” (Prov 15:27).
Friends, treasure God’s presence in your life and never trade it for anything.
Prayer points
1. Father, let me ever treasure Your presence in my life and let me never trade it for anything, in Jesus’ name.
2. Father, let my heart be ever inclined to Your fear and let me never do anything that can cause me to lose Your presence, in Jesus’ name.
Today’s declarations
1. If not for the LORD who has been on my side, my enemies would have triumphed over me.
2. I don’t fear my enemies, irrespective of their number but I fear to lose God’s presence.
Contact: pastor@thf.org.ng