And the LORD said unto Joshua, Get thee up; wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face? Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff. Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because they were accursed: neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you. Up, sanctify the people, and say, Sanctify yourselves against to morrow: for thus saith the LORD God of Israel, There is an accursed thing in the midst of thee, O Israel: thou canst not stand before thine enemies, until ye take away the accursed thing from among you. (Joshua 7:10-13)
Today's Morsel: The children of Israel found themselves face to face with what they felt was a little battle that could be easily won and should have been won without the loss of life. But they were not aware that there was sin in their camp. Achan had violated the commandment of God by taking things from the city of Jericho and God allowed them to feel their sin. Isn't it amazing how one person's sin can destroy others. Isn't it amazing how someone who says that they are a Christian and doesn't do right can affect so many others. The Encarta Dictionary defines sin as: an act, thought, or way of behaving that goes against the law or teachings of a religion, especially when the person who commits it is aware of it. To sin is to transgress; to go against God's Word and His command. Solomon said that the way of a transgressor is hard. Ask yourself, is my sin affecting someone else. When I tell a lie, who is it affecting in the body? Sin doesn't have to be big to affect you or someone else. Solomon said that it's the little foxes that spoil the vine. The church can't grow until we get sin out of the camp. We can't defeat our enemies until we get sin out of the camp. God isn't going to be with us until we eradicate sin from the camp. Paul said that sin shall not have dominion over us. If we will search our hearts and purge ourselves from all unrighteousness, we will see the power of God operate in our midst.
Sing: Create in me a clean heart, O' God, and renew a right spirit within me. Create in me a clean heart, O' God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Thy presence O' God, take not Thy Holy Spirit from me, restore unto me, the joy of Thy salvation, and renew a right spirit within me.
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