August 18, 2011

There’s a Reason

Reading: Joshua 7:6-11a, 6 Then Joshua tore his clothes and fell facedown to the ground before the ark of the LORD, remaining there till evening. The elders of Israel did the same, and sprinkled dust on their heads. 7 And Joshua said, "Ah, Sovereign LORD, why did you ever bring this people across the Jordan to deliver us into the hands of the Amorites to destroy us? If only we had been content to stay on the other side of the Jordan! 8 O Lord, what can I say, now that Israel has been routed by its enemies? 9 The Canaanites and the other people of the country will hear about this and they will surround us and wipe out our name from the earth. What then will you do for your own great name?" 10 The LORD said to Joshua, "Stand up! What are you doing down on your face? 11 Israel has sinned; they have violated my covenant, which I commanded them to keep.

The background to this passage is, Achan stole some things from a city that they destroyed and, although God specifically told them not to take anything, he hid it in the ground in his tent. The next battle that they fought 36 men were killed, which was a first for Israel. This passage shows Joshua’s reaction to the defeat. Although the circumstances are not good for Israel, Joshua and, ultimately, Achan, I can’t help but chuckle at this passage of Scripture. Here Joshua is completely lamenting and God’s reaction to Him is amazing… “[Joshua, seriously] stand up! What are you doing down on your face?” With all that Joshua said in regret because of what happened, it was almost like God was saying, “Give me a break… Do you think I would just leave you out there to hang without a reason? I have a reason… I have a plan!!! Get that through your head. I ALWAYS have a reason!” We have the benefit in this passage to see what happened before and can read what God’s reason was for the defeat to occur. But, how many times does this happen in our lives? A defeat happens in our lives and we begin lamenting, even questioning the Lord. And, God has to come to us also and say, “Seriously? What are you doing? I always have a reason… ALWAYS. Simply trust me that I know exactly what I’m doing.”

Is there a struggle or a defeat that you’re going through? Is there a sin that God could be trying to bring to your attention? If not, can you simply trust God that He knows exactly what He’s doing and that He always has a good reason?
REVIEW

What struggles or defeat did you suffer today?


How did you trust that God knows exactly what He’s doing and how did you trust Him or evaluate your life for sin that God may be attempting to reveal?