At the end of Chapter 7, we see the conclusion of Achan's punishment. After the punishment was completed, v.26 says that the Lord turned His anger away from Israel. That is a good thing. That means that after the confession and after the punishment was concluded, the Lord was no longer angry about the transgression committed by Achan which had an affect on the entire people of Israel.
We see Chapter 8 begin with the Lord sayind to Joshua: "Do not be afraid, nor be dismayed.." Don't you know there had to be some fear in the heart of Joshua with the revelation, confession, and punishment of sin for one transgressor in their midst that the Lord would not return His favor? Don't we let fear creep into our hearts like that sometimes? Joshua had instructed the people according to the words of the Lord, and one man decided that he would keep some of the spoil. But the Lord did not remain angry and even admonished Joshua a little seeing his fear. But the Lord went on and said,
Joshua 8:1b ... See, I have given into your hand the king of Ai, his people, his city, and his land.
God's Purpose for the Children of Israel did not change because of the sin that was brought to light and subsequent punishment. God says the same to Joshua in 8:1 that He said to Joshua before the battle of Jericho. Just because we might stray and wander and commit sins that violate the Word of God, doesn't mean God's purpose for us changes.
We might commit murder in our hearts through the hatred for our brothers, but God's purpose for us doesn't change.
We might commit lust in our hearts through viewing pornography or looking at the opposite sex in a manner that violates our marriage covenant or our covenant with God, but His purpose for us doesn't change.
We might take the Lord's name in vain and use it as a curse a word thereby grieving the Holy Spirit, but it doesn't change God's purpose for us.
God's character does not change. He remains the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
There is no clearer a statement of God's unchanging character or mind than this:
Malachi 3:6 "For I am the LORD, I do not change; Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob.
He does not change! We are the ones in this relationship that change. God's character does not. We looked in another post at something Paul said,
Romans 11:29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
God does not take away our purpose or calling because we are disobedient. He has displayed the ultimate mercy toward us by giving the life of His only Son once and for all so that we might be reconciled to Him.
Psalms 33:11 The counsel of the LORD stands forever, The plans of His heart to all generations.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
God prepared our works and purpose before we even were born. His purpose for us does not change. After the Children of Israel brought the sin to light and punished the offender, God led them to a victory where there was once defeat. We cannot walk in the victory that is ours in the name of Jesus when we have hidden issues that prevent the blessing of the Lord. Once the sin/hidden issue is dealth with and put to death, only then is God able to lead us into the victory that is ours. The mercy that flows from the throne of God also reveals another aspect of God's character the Children of Israel were able to benefit from: forgiveness.
Psalms 103:10-12 He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor punished us according to our iniquities. (11) For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; (12) As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
Aren't you thankful today that God does not deal with us according to our transgressions? I know I am thankful for the mercy of a loving, forgiving, never changing God. Because we have been given mercy, we are forgiven by a wonderful Father. Just like with Joshua, He does not remain angry at us for our disobedience. Just as we earthly parents do not remain angry at our children when they disobey us, God does not change His mind about us, either. He designed our work before we were born and that work and purpose do not change, because our God does not change. So, not matter where you are today in your walk with the Lord and no matter what you are doing that does not align with His precepts, His purpose and will for you has not changed. He still desires to see you victorious over the enemy. He still desires for you to come to Him and be reconciled under the grace and mercy He so willingly dispenses to those who believe.
Join our discussion on Facebook today.
We see Chapter 8 begin with the Lord sayind to Joshua: "Do not be afraid, nor be dismayed.." Don't you know there had to be some fear in the heart of Joshua with the revelation, confession, and punishment of sin for one transgressor in their midst that the Lord would not return His favor? Don't we let fear creep into our hearts like that sometimes? Joshua had instructed the people according to the words of the Lord, and one man decided that he would keep some of the spoil. But the Lord did not remain angry and even admonished Joshua a little seeing his fear. But the Lord went on and said,
Joshua 8:1b ... See, I have given into your hand the king of Ai, his people, his city, and his land.
God's Purpose for the Children of Israel did not change because of the sin that was brought to light and subsequent punishment. God says the same to Joshua in 8:1 that He said to Joshua before the battle of Jericho. Just because we might stray and wander and commit sins that violate the Word of God, doesn't mean God's purpose for us changes.
We might commit murder in our hearts through the hatred for our brothers, but God's purpose for us doesn't change.
We might commit lust in our hearts through viewing pornography or looking at the opposite sex in a manner that violates our marriage covenant or our covenant with God, but His purpose for us doesn't change.
We might take the Lord's name in vain and use it as a curse a word thereby grieving the Holy Spirit, but it doesn't change God's purpose for us.
God's character does not change. He remains the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
There is no clearer a statement of God's unchanging character or mind than this:
Malachi 3:6 "For I am the LORD, I do not change; Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob.
He does not change! We are the ones in this relationship that change. God's character does not. We looked in another post at something Paul said,
Romans 11:29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
God does not take away our purpose or calling because we are disobedient. He has displayed the ultimate mercy toward us by giving the life of His only Son once and for all so that we might be reconciled to Him.
Psalms 33:11 The counsel of the LORD stands forever, The plans of His heart to all generations.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
God prepared our works and purpose before we even were born. His purpose for us does not change. After the Children of Israel brought the sin to light and punished the offender, God led them to a victory where there was once defeat. We cannot walk in the victory that is ours in the name of Jesus when we have hidden issues that prevent the blessing of the Lord. Once the sin/hidden issue is dealth with and put to death, only then is God able to lead us into the victory that is ours. The mercy that flows from the throne of God also reveals another aspect of God's character the Children of Israel were able to benefit from: forgiveness.
Psalms 103:10-12 He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor punished us according to our iniquities. (11) For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; (12) As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
Aren't you thankful today that God does not deal with us according to our transgressions? I know I am thankful for the mercy of a loving, forgiving, never changing God. Because we have been given mercy, we are forgiven by a wonderful Father. Just like with Joshua, He does not remain angry at us for our disobedience. Just as we earthly parents do not remain angry at our children when they disobey us, God does not change His mind about us, either. He designed our work before we were born and that work and purpose do not change, because our God does not change. So, not matter where you are today in your walk with the Lord and no matter what you are doing that does not align with His precepts, His purpose and will for you has not changed. He still desires to see you victorious over the enemy. He still desires for you to come to Him and be reconciled under the grace and mercy He so willingly dispenses to those who believe.
Join our discussion on Facebook today.
