Joshua Moments

And Joshua said, “Alas, Lord GOD, why have You brought this people over the Jordan at all---to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? Oh, that we had been content, and dwelt on the other side of the Jordan!” Joshua 7:7 (New King James Version)

Following an extraordinary victory at Jericho, the children of Israel are defeated at Ai. The confusion and fear of the moment caused words to tumble out of Joshua’s mouth that mirrored the responses he heard for years in the wilderness wanderings under Moses’ leadership. I am not sure if he ever voiced them at that time, but he now voices a prayer filled with suspicion and accusation against God. He has no idea Achan has sinned and brought this defeat upon Israel. Joshua is simply looking at a tragedy and in his mind he draws only one conclusion….and a wrong one at that! Never mind that God promised victory and demanded obedience for that victory to occur. Joshua has had his utopia shattered and his faith shaken. He is now faced with the reality that defeat is possible even in the midst of victories.

God is gracious. He listens as Joshua gives voice to the thoughts and intents of his heart and then God sets the record straight. He explains the reason for defeat and the conditions for victory. What follows is an immediate correction and Ai’s astounding defeat! I believe when it was all said and done, Joshua took away a valuable lesson from the entire experience. Who God is and what God does cannot be interpreted by the things we see, hear, feel, and experience. God is to be trusted not accused. He is to be held in awe not in suspicion. God’s blessings accompany obedience and painful consequences accompany disobedience. We are given the same opportunity to take away valuable lessons from our moments of hardship, fear, and failure. May we do so!

I praise God that Scripture is filled with human frailties, because my life is filled with them as well. There are moments I get it right and do it right. To God be the glory! But there are also moments when I blow it. Times when the circumstances of life send me reeling and I forget the very truths I stood in just prior to stumbling. I have laughed at the number of times I have read a previous devotional I have written and wished I were THAT person! Times when the words that flowed so easily and with confidence seem so far away. Times when I question God, despise myself, and wrongly judge others. The enemy would taunt me with feelings of failure and hypocrisy. But God is gracious. He calls me what I am…a human in continual need of His grace and mercy. With each “Joshua” moment He will meet me and change me. Praise Him!

Father, in the midst of my tears, doubts, and fears You remain faithful and loving. And in the midst of joy, faith, and courage You are still faithful and loving. I praise Your sameness! Amen.

You're the Heart of Me - Kathy Troccoli
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjXjOndUS7A&feature=related

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.