That Which Hinders Change

The people answered and said, "Far be it from us that we should forsake the LORD to serve other gods.” Joshua 24:16 (New American Standard Bible)

This was Israel’s answer to Joshua’s challenge to choose between following the Lord or following other gods and their words astound me. Why? Because throughout the first six books of the Bible that which they state to Joshua is not what was lived out in their lives. Theirs was a constant forsaking of the Lord to serve other gods. As a matter of fact, after their professed choosing of God, Joshua tells them in verse 23 to put away the foreign gods that are among them. I know that the next book, Judges, is filled with the sad statements of the children of Israel doing evil in the sight of the Lord, forsaking the Lord, and serving other Gods. Theirs was a continual forsaking of the Lord and a continual serving of other gods.

What I see lacking in their statement to Joshua is confession….honest confession of what has been a pattern for them. It would have been encouraging to hear them say, “Yes, we have forsaken the Lord many times and, yes, we have served other gods. We acknowledge that and ask God’s forgiveness and from this point on determine and choose to serve Him and Him alone.” But no such declaration is made. What they failed to admit continued to be a problem and a stronghold to them.

It is no different for you and me today. God calls each of us to a place of confession , transparency, and repentance. That call requires that we get very honest with ourselves, with God, and with others. What we refuse to talk about, admit, and bring to the surface will remain a snare to us. Will it be comfortable? Not really. Will it ever be embarrassing or cause us to squirm? Most likely. But when we give voice to what we would rather deny or hide, several things take place. We become empowered to no longer live in our rut of choice. We lighten ourselves of the load of secrets and guilt we have carried. We take responsibility for our actions and attitudes. We take steps toward the freedom that we are meant to have. We garner the prayer support of those who finally see the truth about us instead of the image we have so persistently crafted and displayed in the past.

The Israelites were experts at saying what they felt sounded good but their lifestyles exposed the truth. Joshua saw this and admonished them to have heart changes. God sees the contrast of what we are saying and what we are doing and He too longs for us have heart changes.

Father, I have tasted the bitter fruit of living in denial and I have feasted on the rich reward of acknowledging and agreeing with You on the condition of my heart. Continue to bring me to the place of crystal, clear transparency at all times. Amen.

Change My Heart, oh God
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUjUvoynGMM

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