Get up!

Hello Bride of Christ, 

Children are great avenues by which to learn. I often observe the lovely little people the Lord has placed in my life to learn more about human nature, myself, and God’s heart. When children are disobedient and deal with the consequences of that decision, as an adult it is easy for us to think well, “you did decide to disobey.” But are we as conscious of the consequences in our lives that are a result of sin in our own heart camps? Are we as ready to admit the validity of the situation? If children are not a medium by which you learn, the Lord gave us scripture which is useful for teaching, rebuking, correction and training us in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

In the book of Joshua chapter seven, the Lord has a conversation with Joshua very much like a parent’s conversation with their sons or daughters. 

“Then Joshua tore his clothes, and fell to the earth on his face before the ark of the Lord until evening, he and the elders of Israel; and they put dust on their heads. And Joshua said, “Alas, Lord God, why have You brought this people over the Jordan at all—to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? Oh, that we had been content, and dwelt on the other side of the Jordan! O Lord, what shall I say when Israel turns its back before its enemies? For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land will hear it, and surround us, and cut off our name from the earth. Then what will You do for Your great name?”

So the Lord said to Joshua: “Get up! Why do you lie thus on your face? Israel has sinned, and they have also transgressed My covenant which I commanded them. For they have even taken some of the accursed things, and have both stolen and deceived; and they have also put it among their own stuff. Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because they have become doomed to destruction. Neither will I be with you anymore, unless you destroy the accursed from among you. Get up, sanctify the people, and say, ‘Sanctify yourselves for tomorrow, because thus says the Lord God of Israel: “There is an accursed thing in your midst, O Israel; you cannot stand before your enemies until you take away the accursed thing from among you.” In the morning therefore you shall be brought according to your tribes. And it shall be that the tribe which the Lord takes shall come according to families; and the family which the Lord takes shall come by households; and the household which the Lord takes shall come man by man. Then it shall be that he who is taken with the accursed thing shall be burned with fire, he and all that he has, because he has transgressed the covenant of the Lord, and because he has done a disgraceful thing in Israel.’ ” ( Joshua 7: 6 - 15)

Joshua comes to the Lord heavy burdened because a portion of Israel’s army had gone to battle at Ai and lost. Joshua, as most of us like a child, begins to throw a “righteous” tantrum. Joshua throws himself to the ground, rips his clothes, throws ashes on his head, and begins to question God. Joshua questions God about His intentions, “Why have You brought this people over the Jordan at all – to deliver us to the Amorites?” (Joshua 7:7) Joshua begins to point fingers to himself and the people, “Oh that we would have been content, and dwelt on the other side of the Jordan!” (Joshua 7:7) Joshua begins to worry about what others will think when they hear the news of the lost battle, “O Lord what shall I say when Israel turns its back before its enemies? For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land will hear it, and surround us, and cut off our name from the earth.” (Joshua 7:9) Then Joshua through his questioning positions the problem as if it is the Lord’s problem in the end, “Then what will You do for Your great name?” (Joshua 7:9)

Quite bold. 

However, the Lord answers Joshua. “Get up! Why do you lie thus on your face? Israel has sinned, and they have also transgressed My covenant which I commanded them. For they have eve taken some of the accursed things, and have both stolen and deceived; and they have also put it among their own stuff.” (Joshua 7:10 -11) 

I could only imagine how quickly Joshua got to his feet! The only thing that probably went back to the floor was his jaw as he listened to the Lord call Israel out on her blatant sin. All of Joshua’s questions made to look foolish. The Lord though in His sovereignty does not stop there, He continues to respond to Joshua’s questions and explain His intentions. 

“Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turn their backs before their enemies, because they have become doomed to destruction. Neither will I be with you anymore, unless you destroy the accursed from among you.” (Joshua 7:12)

Unless… Joshua’s ears must have perked up! Joshua loved the Lord. Joshua trusted the Lord’s leadership. This is why he was made leader of the people after Moses. The Lord saying that He wasn’t going to be with him anymore must have taken his breath away. The “unless” option must have given Joshua hope. Knowing Joshua’s heart, God gives him the “unless” call to action.

“Get up, sanctify the people, and say ‘Sanctify yourselves for tomorrow because thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘There is an accursed thing in your midst, O Israel; you cannot stand before your enemies until you take away the accursed thing from among you.” (Joshua 7:13) Then the Lord tells Joshua how they will find the accursed thing. (Joshua 7: 14-15)

Bride of Christ, are you experiencing a Joshua tantrum moment? Are you not understanding why the Lord is allowing chaos or disappointment in your life? Like Joshua go to the Lord and ask your questions. Like Joshua, listen for the Lord’s response. Then, like Joshua, walk out the reconciliation the Lord has in stored for you. At the core though, make sure your heart’s desire is like Joshua’s… a heart wanting to know the Lord is with him and has not departed. Self-evaluate the camp of your heart. Is there covetousness, as found here in chapter 7 of Joshua? Know whatever is found, the Lord is willing to forgive and reconcile with you. So get up, sanctify (set yourself apart for God’s purposes) yourself, and allow the King of Glory to come in!