DEVOTION – DAY 209

Joshua 7:4-5 “Sin Has Its Consequences”

 

Joshua 7:4-5 “So, about three thousand went up; but they were routed by the men of Ai, who killed about thirty-six of them. They chased the Israelites from the city gate as far as the stone quarries and struck them down on the slopes. At this, the hearts of the people melted in fear and became like water.”

 

Joshua and the Israelite army had just miraculously conquered the walled city of Jericho with the help of the Lord. The next city that they wanted to conquer was the smaller city of Ai. Joshua was confident that they could take the city of Ai and he did not think the entire Israelite army was needed. So, Joshua sent 3,000 of his men to conquer Ai. The above verses tell us that to everyone’s surprise, the Israelites lost the battle and had to flee and about 36 men died. What happened? How could God allow them defeat when God had led them to success against the more powerful city of Jericho?

 

Joshua was shaken and he fell to the floor before the Lord and presented his troubles to God. The Lord revealed to Joshua. that one of Joshua’s men, Achan, had been unfaithful. Achan went against God’s instructions – he had kept some stolen idols from the city of Jericho instead of destroying them. Achan’s sin had stood between the people and God, and God withheld His blessings. We learn that sin always creates a barrier between us and God. God is holy and He hates sin. God is just and He always judges sin. That is why God demands that sins be atoned for in the only way acceptable – by the shed blood of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross.

 

A wealthy man was unfaithful to his wife. He thought he could have extra-marital affairs as long as he was discreet about it. But his wife found out about his unfaithfulness and ended their marriage. The scandal affected his reputation and his businesses suffered. His divorce also caused him half his assets. It seemed that he was facing one bad turn of events after another. At his lowest point, he reflected on what he had done and it drove him to repent and turn to God and seek His forgiveness. It was only after his repentance that he was able to start slowly rebuilding his business and earning the respect of his business contacts. He remained humble and learnt the hard way that he cannot expect blessings from God when there were unconfessed sins in his life. He cannot lead a double life filled with hypocrisy thinking his adulterous behavior will not harm anyone if no one knew about what he did. He now knew that God knows everything and God hates sin.

 

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, we know nothing escapes you. You are just and you will judge all sins. Please help us to always confess and repent our sins fully before you so that nothing stands between us and our relationship with you. Please forgive our sins. In the mighty name of the Lord Jesus, we pray. Amen.

 

Questions

  1. Why do people treat sins and God’s forgiveness of sins lightly? Discuss.
  2. How should you view sins after reading this devotion? Discuss.
  3. What must you now do with the unconfessed sins in your life?
  4. What steps can you take to ensure that you confess your sins promptly so that nothing stands between you and the Lord?