Stand up!

Anyone out there with un-confessed sin in their heart?  Check out the important lesson learned by Joshua and the children of Israel.  Hopefully it'll boost your courage to do the right thing.

After their miraculous and astounding victory at Jericho (you remember - "Joshua fought the battle of Jericho...and the walls came'a tumblin' down") the children of Israel were tasked to attack and burn everything in the small city of Ai.  Achan, a man from the tribe of Judah secretively kept some of the items that were supposed to be given to the Lord after the battle.  Consequently, shame and defeat were brought upon all of Israel.

Joshua, Israel's leader, cried before the Lord saying "Why did you bring us this far and then let the Amorites destroy us?  [Now] the Canaanites and all the other people in this country will hear about this and will surround and kill us all!  Then what will you do for your own great name" (Joshua 7:7,9)?  I love God's answer:  "Stand up!  Why are you down on your face?  The Israelites have sinned; they have broken the agreement I commanded them to obey.  They have stolen and lied and have taken things for themselves.  That is why [they] cannot face their enemies.  I will not help you anymore unless you [do] as I commanded you.  Now go!  Make the people holy" (Joshua 7:10-13).

Do you get it; the moral of the story?  Don't just sit and cry because things haven't exactly turned out the way you'd planned.  Consider that it may be sin in your own life that's stifling the Lord's help.  Don't blame God.  Instead, 'stand up and get right before God.'

  • Stand up and apologize to your spouse;
  • Stand up and quit bad-mouthing your boss;
  • Stand up and kick that unholy habit;
  • Stand up and run away from your immoral behavior.

You don't want to end up like Achan.  The Lord singled him out from among all the tribes of Israel and him and his family was stoned to death.  Sound harsh?  Well, God doesn't tolerate sin; not Achan's sin, not my sin and not your sin.  Get right with God before it's too late.  You'll save yourself a bunch of grief while simultaneously restoring your communion with God.