Day 103

Joshua 7:16–9:2; Luke 16:1-18; Psalm 82:1-8; Proverbs 13:2-3

THE DEFEAT AT Ai left the children of Israel searching for answers —and answers they found. A man named Achan had stolen plunder from Jericho, despite God’s command that everything be destroyed. Achan’s story is one of a man who broke a covenant with God and met an unpleasant end. Achan allowed a lust for possessions to instigate what he knew was wrong.

Anything in our lives that we exalt above God or that interferes with our relationship with God is likely an idol. Nothing good can come from that which leads us further from God. Jesus spoke of this very thing today in Luke’s Gospel:

No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other.

In both Old and New Testaments, we see the themes of obedience and faithfulness emerging as irreplaceable qualities on the path toward wholeness. We must not underestimate this as Achan did. Continually, we ask God to give us what we want or need, but we often want these things without having to obey or be faithful. But God doesn’t seem to work that way. He won’t give us things that will gain control over us and replace His sovereignty in our lives. And again, this has nothing to do with God’s insecurities. He won’t do it because it will destroy us. Not everything we want is truly best for us.

As we petition the Lord for intervention in our lives, we must also consider the implications. Are we being faithful to God? Is what we’re asking for something we can truly handle? Let’s listen to Jesus’ words as we consider this:

If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven? And if you are not faithful with other people’s things, why should you be trusted with things of your own?

PRAYER:

Give justice to the poor and the orphan; uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute. Rescue the poor and helpless; deliver them from the grasp of evil people.