Today's Reading:
Joshua 7:16-9:2
Acts 15:1-35
Psalm 62:1-12
Click on Text Link to Read Online
Focus Verses: Joshua 7:19-21
19 Then
Joshua said to Achan, "My son, give glory to the LORD, the God of
Israel, and give him the praise. Tell me what you have done; do not hide
it from me." 20 Achan replied, "It is true! I have sinned against the LORD, the God of Israel. This is what I have done: 21 When
I saw in the plunder a beautiful robe from Babylonia, two hundred
shekels of silver and a wedge of gold weighing fifty shekels, I coveted
them and took them. They are hidden in the ground inside my tent, with
the silver underneath."
Insight:
The
story of Achan is sad and tragic. It's sad that Achan valued
possessions more than he valued obedience to God. It's sad that he
somehow thought he could hide his sin from God and from others. It's
tragic how instead of having humility and reverence for the destruction
of the city and death of its people, he would be cold-hearted and
selfish. It's tragic that his sin resulted in others losing their lives,
and tragic how his self-indulgence turned out to be self-destruction.
Response and Action:
My
secret sins are no secret to God. I have secret sins and, sadly, it's
easy for me to identify with Achan. I want to be motivated by reverence
for God and humble concern for others, not selfishness and greed. I
don't want secret sins to destroy me or to hurt others. That's something
I've seen happen all too often.
I am thankful for the
grace and forgiveness God has extended to me through Christ Jesus. I
want to live a life that is fully devoted to him. I will not bury sins
under the “tent floor” of my life. I will strive to be honest with God
and with others. With the guidance of God’s word, and the transforming
strength of the Holy Spirit, I can escape the snares and temptations of
selfish desires.
O
God, help me to walk with integrity. Do not let me be tempted beyond
what I can bear. Strengthen me to stand and provide ways of escape.
Transform and shape my heart so that I desire what you desire. Help me
to remember that I am not my own, I have been bought with a price. Help
me to live a life of devotion to you. Through Christ, I pray. Amen.
Spiritual Formation Verses: Galatians 6:7-8
7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 The
one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap
destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will
reap eternal life.
Resources:
The Smell of Sin: And the Fresh Air of Grace
by Don Everts
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