When the Israelites defeated Jericho, they were given strict instructions to set aside all gold, silver, bronze and iron for the Lord's treasury (Josh 6:18-19). Individuals were not to take these spoils for their personal possessions. But one man did, Achan. The results? When Israel next did battle with the city of Ai, Israel was defeated. Joshua then cried to the Lord and discovered the defeat was due to sin among the people. Once Joshua and the people punished Achan, Israel then conquered Ai (Josh 7-8).
The point is not merely that disobedience leads to defeat, and certainly not that holiness leads to power. Rather it is that holiness is necessary if we want ongoing fellowship with God. God wanted fellowship with his people. On that occasion he allowed them to suffer defeat because he had been trying to impress on them his longing to have them walk in fellowship with him. That is why God uses any painful means to get at us - because he wants our fellowship.
John White, When The Spirit Comes With Power, p. 134
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment