“But the people of Israel broke faith in regard to the devoted things, for Achan… took some of the devoted things. And the anger of the Lord burned against the people of Israel…
“The Lord said to Joshua,.. ‘Why have you fallen on your face? Israel has sinned;.. they have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen and lied and put them among their own belongings… I will be with you no more, unless you destroy the devoted things from among you… You cannot stand before your enemies until you take away the devoted things… He who is taken with the devoted things shall be burned… because he has transgressed the covenant of the Lord, and because he has done an outrageous thing in Israel.’
“Joshua said to Achan, ‘My son, give glory to the Lord God and praise to him. Tell me what you have done; do not hide it from me.’ Achan answered, ‘Truly I have sinned against the Lord God: when I saw among the spoil a beautiful cloak from Shinar, and 200 shekels of silver, and a bar of gold weighing 50 shekels, then I coveted them and took them. And see, they are hidden in the earth inside my tent, with the silver underneath…’
“They took them out of the tent and brought them to Joshua and… laid them down before the Lord… And Joshua said, ‘Why did you bring trouble on us? The Lord brings trouble on you today.'” Joshua 7:1,10-13,15,19-23,25
“I am the Lord; that is my name!
I will not yield my glory to another
or my praise to idols.” Isaiah 42:8; 48:11
Every instruction, every step, came from the Lord. The specific obedience of the Israelites is what brought the splendid victory over Jericho. They knew he had done it. But then the flesh rose up, tempting pride and greed. The look of wonder to the One who fought for them became a look of lust on the things that were taken. Achan gave in to taking glory for himself. Even though convicted in his spirit, he tried to hide his sin. But the pleasures of sin are fleeting and destructive, and he would be found out. God uncovered his trinkets, vividly illustrating that He would share glory with nothing and noone. (Joshua 6:12-25; Hebrews 11:25; 1 John 2:17)
We can give cursory lip service to humility, pretending another’s credit, while in the flesh stroking notice, importance, and pomp. We can hoard what we believe we deserve. Self-deprecation only draws attention, rather than reflecting the Lord. Only the truly humble esteems God and His commands above every idol.
Where have I given in, even a bit, to taking credit myself, taking a bit of the spoils that belong to God in any victory of life? How quickly do I respond to conviction from His spirit? If I try to squelch it, often at harm to others, He will find me out. Would I bring that first impulse of greed to be cleansed and reordered by My gracious Savior?
If I dare touch a smidgen of God’s glory, I know nothing of Calvary love. Christ gave His all so I can find my all in Him. (Psalm 107:9; 2 Corinthians 5:21)
Lord, for every step in victory, every work of grace, may I give You the glory only You deserve.
As the rain and snow 