Title: But Why Us Lord?/Topic: Consequences of Disobedience

Today’s Reading: Joshua 7; Joshua 8; Psalm 69; 1 Corinthians 5

Scripture: Joshua 7:11, 12
11 Israel has sinned; they have violated my covenant, which I commanded them to keep. They have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen, they have lied, they have put them with their own possessions. 12 That is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies; they turn their backs and run because they have been made liable to destruction. I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy whatever among you is devoted to destruction.

Observation: The Israelites get routed by a small army of men and Joshua and the elders come before God mourning and saying, “Why us Lord?”. God reveals to him that they have made themselves liable to destruction by disobedience. One person disobeyed, yet the entire group suffered as a result. When we disobey God, it always affects more than just us. It affects those we are connected to as well.

Application: I need to make sure I am being obedient to God in all the areas I know of so that I do not make myself and others liable to destruction. There are times when we all face trials and suffer for righteousness sake. But many times we (and those around us) suffer unnecessary destruction because of our own sin. When it seems I am dealing with being “piled on” by life, I need to stop and check to see if I have put myself in a position where I have made myself liable to destruction.

Prayer: Father, shine the light of your Spirit in my heart and reveal to me any areas where I have justified disobedience to you. I want to live a repentant lifestyle and turn from those things that would make me “liable to destruction”. There is enough hardship and suffering to go through in life that happens “for righteousness sake”. I don't need the other kind of suffering too. Thank you for your grace and your Word that reveals truth to us.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.