Stand Up

Joshua 7: 10-12

“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. 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.”

Because of God, the Israelites had experienced a tremendous victory.   Yet they sinned and violated the covenant.  They lied, and they stole. And because of this they were defeated by the Amorites.

When we begin to believe that our success excludes God; when we believe in our own power rather than God’s; when we believe that we can act outside of God’s will with no consequences, we make ourselves liable for our own destruction.

But as the dust of our destruction clears, in the midst of our despair, the God of second chances asks that we stand up and resume our walk with Him.

God’s love is a forgiving love.

May the love of Christ be with you,

Rev. Eric Lanier (Retired)