Author: astherainandsnow

“An angel of the Lord said to Philip, ‘Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes from Jerusalem to Gaza…’ And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning, seated in his chariot, and was reading the prophet Isaiah.  The Spirit said to Philip, ‘Go over and join this chariot.’ So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah and asked, ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’  He said, ‘How can I, unless someone guides me?’ And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him… 

“Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture told him the good news about Jesus. And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, ‘See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?’ And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.”

“Saul,.. breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked… if he… might bring them bound to Jerusalem. As he went on his way, approach[ing] Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. Falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ And he said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And he said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting…’ And… something like scales fell from his eyes… Then he rose and was baptized.” Acts 8:26-31,35-38; 9:1-5,18

Time and again, the Lord met individuals along their way to do marvelous work. As they traveled with one intent, He interrupted and fulfilled a higher, heavenly one. They went about their temporal days, and He went about His eternal plans. There was no escaping the Lord’s broad and deep and often unexpectedly transformative purposes.

It is true and borne out in daily life, that man makes his plans yet the Lord directs his steps. We can set off in one direction with a plotted destination, and the Lord jolts us with an unexpected detour and turns us toward something completely different so His greater will is accomplished. Our detailed itinerary plus the Lord’s interruption equals a whole new agenda. He reveals Himself and alters our course through surprising details along the way to teach eternal lessons. (Proverbs 16:9)

How often do we set about our intentions and come face-to-face with the unexpected? Are we open to learning new facets of His character, sensitive to conviction, resilient to changes of practical and spiritual direction? What established patterns or attitudes might He want to transform?

As we tick through our schedules, how receptive are we to divine interruptions? How willing are we to explore the why and what He wants to accomplish? Looking back, what changes of heart and direction has He maneuvered as we’ve gone about what we thought was the good way? How can we be better prepared to welcome His messing with our plans in order to accomplish His?

Lord, help me welcome Your interspersed revelations along my daily road, and respond with gratitude, obedience, and praise.

“Then the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord..; and they forsook the Lord God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt; and they followed other gods from among the gods of the people who were all around them, and they bowed down to them; and they provoked the Lord to anger. They forsook the Lord and served Baal and the Ashtoreths. And the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel. So He delivered them into the hands of plunderers who despoiled them; and He sold them into the hands of their enemies… Wherever they went out, the hand of the Lord was against them for calamity, as the Lord had said, and as the Lord had sworn… And they were greatly distressed.

“Nevertheless, the Lord raised up judges who delivered them out of the hand of those who plundered them… When the Lord raised up judges for them, the Lord was with the judge and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge; for the Lord was moved to pity by their groaning because of those who oppressed them and harassed them. And it came to pass, when the judge was dead, that they reverted and behaved more corruptly, by following other gods, to serve them and bow down to them. They did not cease from their own doings nor from their stubborn way…

“So the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord. They forgot the Lord their God, and served the Baals and Asherahs. Therefore the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel… When Israel cried out to the Lord, the Lord raised up a deliverer.” Judges 2:11-16,18-19; 3:7-9

The Lord God had settled Israel in their promised land, working through His godly servant Joshua to lead them in both physical and spiritual conquest. He’d provided and protected and prepared. Yet after Joshua’s death, His people turned after lesser gods, whoring themselves to the heathen nations remaining and intended to prove their faith and commitment. So God gave consequence as He’d pledged, and they in misery began a yin-yang of need and taking. Theirs was the repeated fault, God’s the merciful favor. (Joshua 24:12-22; Judges 2:1-5)

It is fallen human nature that sees ourselves as good, deserving of lavish blessings. Tangled in ongoing comparisons, we expect to get what we want and for things to go our way. We deem God a dispensary for passions and wishes and a rewarder of decent efforts. We see bounty as our good fortune, and destruction and suffering as God’s fault, when actually, the opposite is true. Since Eden and in love, God set in motion a perfect pattern of choice and consequence, and perpetuates it by His righteous character. Harm and misery are the natural effect of sin. (Genesis 2:15-17; 1 Corinthians 4:7; James 1:17)

We might earn certain earthly rewards, but contribute nothing to heavenly favor. The agonies in this world were not God’s original plan, but are the result of human sin. Where have I distorted His character through a lack of self-introspection or rashly blaming Him? Do I call God capricious but not myself corrupt? When do I regularly bow before His excellence and grace to confess my sins (not others’) as an affront to His holiness? When will I take ownership for my part of suffered consequences, confessing personal fault and imploring His forgiveness? In Christ, covered by grace and upheld by the promise of glory, we can enjoy lives of favor and fullness.

Lord, purify me in mercy so I glorify You forever.

“Therefore, be very strong to keep and do all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, turning aside from it neither to the right hand nor to the left, that you may not mix with these nations remaining among you or make mention of… their gods or swear by them or serve them or bow down to them, but you shall cling to the Lord your God just as you have done to this day. For the Lord has driven out before you great and strong nations… One man of you puts to flight a thousand, since it is the Lord your God who fights for you, just as he promised. Be very careful, therefore, to love the Lord your God. For if you turn back and cling to the remnant of these nations remaining among you and make marriages with them, so that you associate with them and they with you, know for certain that the Lord your God will no longer drive out these nations before you, but they shall be a snare and a trap for you, a whip on your sides and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from off this good ground that the Lord your God has given you.”

“Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served.., and serve the Lord… Choose this day whom you will serve.” Joshua 23:6-13; 24:14-15

In all Joshua’s godly example and encouragement, he understood the lure and trap of loves foreign to God and His ways. He would not commend God’s people without dire warning of potential downfall, because the pride of victory would always be peppered with the pull of temptation. With every new God-given possession came allure to possess for wrong reasons. They would always face wayward enticements, so there must always be wholehearted commitment to keep the Lord God as first and supreme love. (Revelation 2:4)

Consider the vivid description of the attack and destructiveness of foreign loves. A snare clutches and entangles body, emotion, and spiritual progress. Traps snap at the softest touch, and are difficult, if not impossible, to extricate ourselves from once we’ve been caught. A whip on your sides will sting and goad you forward, farther and faster into enemy clutches whether against your will or not. Thorns in eyes scratch, distort, and disable clear vision while inflicting pain. Would we really choose these if we were fully aware of the consequences?

The challenge is keeping our head when foreign gods come calling. They appear harmless, are often attractive, and magnetically entice our fallen nature. They never reveal coming addiction, turmoil, and ruin. But the Lord issues warning, prepares us by His strong word, and equips us with His Spirit to beware and be vigilant, and victorious. Which way will we choose? (Genesis 3:1-6; 1 Kings 11:4; 2 Corinthians 11:14; Philippians 4:13)

Do we lip-serve ‘far be it from me to forsake the Lord,’ yet serve other gods with interest, time, and affection? What commitment have we made, and what will we put away to ensure its keeping? How regularly do we recount His deeds on our behalf, with thanksgiving? How can we reinforce true and bold devotion to Him? Whom will we come alongside to remain faithful together? (Joshua 24:14-18,23-24)

Lord God, take and keep my whole heart for only You, to love and serve You alone.

“‘Return, faithless Israel,
declares the Lord.
I will not look on you in anger,
    for I am merciful..;
I will not be angry forever.
Only acknowledge your guilt,
    that you rebelled against the Lord your God
and scattered your favors among foreigners under every green tree,
    and that you have not obeyed my voice,
declares the Lord.
Return, O faithless children,
declares the Lord;
    for I am your master;
I will take you, one from a city and two from a family,
    and I will bring you to Zion.

“If you return, O Israel,
declares the Lord,
    to me you should return.
If you remove your detestable things from my presence,
    and do not waver,
and if you swear, ‘As the Lord lives,’
    in truth, in justice, and in righteousness,
then nations shall bless themselves in him,
    and in him shall they glory.”

“Break up your fallow ground,
    and sow not among thorns.
Circumcise yourselves to the Lord;
    remove the foreskin of your hearts,
    O men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem;
lest my wrath go forth like fire,
    and burn with none to quench it,
    because of the evil of your deeds…

“O Jerusalem, wash your heart from evil,
    that you may be saved.
How long shall your wicked thoughts
    lodge within you?” Jeremiah 3:12-14; 4:1-4,14

The merciful Lord extends invitation after invitation to His fickle, faithless people. Open-armed, clear, but never pushy, He offers, “Répondez, s’il vous plaît,” “respond if you please.” He holds anger and mercy, judgment and forgiveness, wrath and salvation. He has given Himself on our behalf so we can give ourselves to Him. O, He cries, return, wash, be saved!

But so often the rebel heart is not pleased to respond. We have scattered our favors, leaving nothing for pure devotion. We hold on to detestable things like prurient entertainment, greed, and resentments. We put off tending our fallow hearts because we’re too busy cultivating materialism, gossip, or self-interest. We neglect responding because we are not ready to give up the fleeting pleasures of sin, and foolishly think we’ll have time later. (Matthew 25:1-12; Hebrews 11:24-25)

Where have we given space for wicked thoughts to lodge? How often are we yielding space to shame, superiority, bitterness, pride? What causes divided attention and scattered affections? Do we make mild efforts to adjust our priorities and ‘improve’ behavior, but never acknowledge our guilt to God Himself? (Psalm 86:11)

When will we wake up and take seriously the condition of our spiritual lives, and return in full to the Lord? Do we need to filter our input, change habits, put away foreign gods? How will we respond to the Lord’s beckoning love? (Zechariah 1:3; Malachi 3:7)

Ah, what freedom we eschew when we fail to R.S.V.P to Him! What joys we miss when we ignore (and thus regret) His invitation to return! Faithless can become faithful, the wanderer settled, the guilty clean! The empty glories of this world can be replaced by the substantial glory of God! Why, O why, do we put Him off?

“‘Yet even now,’ declares the Lord,
    ‘return to me with all your heart,
with fasting, weeping, and mourning;
    rend your hearts and not your garments.’
Return to the Lord your God,
    for he is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love.” Joel 2:12-13

Lord, keep me willing to respond in full to Your every call.

“Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord from the heavens;
    praise him in the heights!
Praise him, all his angels;
    praise him, all his hosts!

Praise him, sun and moon,
    praise him, all you shining stars!
Praise him, you highest heavens,
    and you waters above the heavens!

Let them praise the name of the Lord!
    For he commanded and they were created.
And he established them forever and ever;
    he gave a decree, and it shall not pass away.

Praise the Lord from the earth,
    you great sea creatures and all deeps,
fire and hail, snow and mist,
    stormy wind fulfilling his word!

Mountains and all hills,
    fruit trees and all cedars!
Beasts and all livestock,
    creeping things and flying birds!

Kings of the earth and all peoples,
    princes and all rulers of the earth!
Young men and maidens together,
    old men and children!

Let them praise the name of the Lord,
    for his name alone is exalted;
    his majesty is above earth and heaven.
He has raised up a horn for his people,
    praise for all his saints,
    for the people of Israel who are near to him.
Praise the Lord!” Psalm 148

Stars twinkle shine, clouds swell with water, fire and hail, snow and mist and stormy winds all fulfill God’s creating word. The Lord God has designed all things to praise Him, to reflect and resound with His glory. Angels, rulers, maidens, creatures, young and old, let them praise on the hills, among trees, in the air. Moments and life and breath are gifts to be spent in His exaltation! (Psalm 19:1)

This is a lofty calling! Burrowing in the necessities of daily duty can steal us away from our higher purpose, while the Lord intends they not be separate. Determined to be excellent, thorough, pleasing, we exhaust resources to achieve and complete many things here below without thought for how they reflect our Maker. The Creator beckons. ‘Pause and praise! Inhale my grace! Behold My beauty! Listen to creation’s song! Do this and everything for Me!’

What is it I was made to do? What distinct role do I play in my workplace, my church? What influence do I have in my home and community? Each of these is a position and place to praise the Lord and lift high His name. Each of these is an outlet for expressing joy and gratitude to the One who assigned my post for eternal purpose. How will I exalt God’s name and majesty where He has placed me this day?

How can I make this psalm my personal song? What efforts will I entrust to Him so He is noticed? How can my work and words magnify His attributes?

“O for a thousand tongues to sing
my great Redeemer’s praise,
the glories of my God and King,
the triumphs of his grace!

My gracious Master and my God,
assist me to proclaim,
to spread thro’ all the earth abroad
the honors of your name.

To God all glory, praise, and love
be now and ever given
by saints below and saints above,
the Church in earth and heaven.” ~Charles Wesley (1739)

Worthy Lord, may my demeanor, attitudes, words, and actions praise Your name and reflect Your loveliness, so You are sought and adored.

“For you formed my inward parts;
    you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
    my soul knows it very well.
My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
    intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
    the days that were formed for me,
    when as yet there was none of them.”

“I stretch out my hands to you;
    my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. 

Answer me quickly, O Lord!
    My spirit fails!
Hide not your face from me,
    lest I be like those who go down to the pit.
Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love,
    for in you I trust.
Make me know the way I should go,
    for to you I lift up my soul.

Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord!
    I have fled to you for refuge.
Teach me to do your will,
    for you are my God!
Let your good Spirit lead me
    on level ground!”

“The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me;
    your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.
    Do not forsake the work of your hands.” Psalm 139:13-16; 143:6-10; 138:8

David was convinced that God was intimately acquainted with his whole life from beginning to end and inside out. He knew well His works, and trusted His omniscience to uphold and perform His purposes. Yet in the flesh, he needed guidance, and through ongoing communion, earnestly sought the Lord’s revelation of next steps so he’d remain aligned with His will.

The God who knows all is faithful to show His children His way. His word is the Source for what we need to know about His attributes and manner of dealing with man and His world. His Spirit gives understanding from what He has said, and directs our thinking and impulses to comprehend His will. His is an ongoing instruction as we continue to ask, abide, trust, and obey. (Psalm 32:8; Proverbs 3:5-6; John 16:13)

Our challenge is keeping on that path. It is to turn to His knowledge and wisdom instead of our own, to trust His commands and principles over human expertise or gut feelings. We must pray according to truth to keep on level ground, to see His promises unfold and His light before us on our path. How deliberately do we seek Him over every other resource? (Psalm 119:105; John 4:24)

If our inclination is to spiritual sloth or man’s take, confess it. When we elevate personal passion, or esteemed ‘thought leaders,’ or even spiritual directors over the One who knows us and everything best, we miss His direct interaction with our upturned soul. Would we ask God for desire and courage, for the stamina to stick to a commitment to seek Him first? The more we spend time in the Word, the more we will be enlightened, delighted, and desire its good food. The more we absorb His Word, the more intelligent, God-shaped, and expectant will be our prayers.

Lord, take me into Your confidence and keep me on Your narrow and good way, to Your ends and glory. (Matthew 7:13-14; John 15:15)

“Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up with her sons, and [knelt] before him… And he said to her, ‘What do you want?’ She said to him, ‘Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.’ Jesus answered, ‘You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?’ They said to him, ‘We are able.’ He said to them, ‘You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.’ And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers. But Jesus called them to him and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.'”

“‘They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they… love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others. But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers… The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.'” Matthew 20:20-28; 23:5-8,11-12

Jesus came as an over-turner: enlightenment for confusion, hope for doom, forgiveness for conviction, freedom for slavery. In the flesh, His close friends wanted to be honored in what they dreamed would be His coming kingdom. In the synagogue, religious men desired public greatness defined by pomp and humanistic thinking. But the Divine uttered a whole new way of thinking and being to overturn and readjust their motivation. The Servant Savior would drink the cup to illustrate God’s economy in matters of salvation and life. Only when appropriating His subversive attitude would they fully grasp His gift. (Isaiah 55:8-9)

It is unnatural, and unappealing, to choose humility over honor, to serve rather than to be served. But for the earnest Christian who is willing to turn over his “I’m able,” to the Spirit’s sanctifying, the way of Jesus is increasingly absorbed. The better we know Christ, and the more we love Him, the more like Him our second nature becomes. Appropriating His death and resurrection for ourselves, we learn to slay the prideful beast and practice exchanged desires and impulses in His power. (Romans 6:4-13; 8:5-6,11)

What ideas about great and first need upturning in our day-to-day living? What particular attitudes of superiority, self-righteousness, or entitlement do we purport? What demands do I make to others’ detriment or discouragement? Where does my claim to greatness, or deserving first and best, disparage another or belittle my Lord? Are there areas I’ve taken credit for what He’s done or graciously allowed? Will I turn them over for cleansing? Only when we submit to Christ’s desire, ‘not my will, but Yours,’ will we truly see and be able to live right side up. (Luke 22:42)

Lord, help me honor You as sole Greatest and First.

“I was sought by those who did not ask for Me;
I was found by those who did not seek Me.
I said, ‘Here I am, here I am,’
To a nation that was not called by My name.
I have stretched out My hands all day long to a rebellious people,
Who walk in a way that is not good,
According to their own thoughts…

“It shall come to pass
That before they call, I will answer;
And while they are still speaking, I will hear.” Isaiah 65:1-2,24

“Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” Matthew 6:8

“While I was speaking and praying, confessing my sin.., and presenting my plea before the Lord my God.., while I was in prayer, the man Gabriel… came to me…  He made me understand, speaking with me and saying, ‘O Daniel, I have now come out to give you insight and understanding. At the beginning of your pleas for mercy a word went out, and I have come to tell it to you, for you are greatly loved. Therefore consider the word and understand the vision.’

“He said to me, ‘O Daniel, man greatly loved,.. I have been sent to you… Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words.'” Daniel 9:23; 10:11-12

The omniscient God wraps the beginning and end of our prayers in His sovereignty. His knowledge and will are ever-active, existing apart from time, always sure and complete, inextricably bound up in His dealings with His people. What He’s promised has already been accomplished, all He intends to do is completed within His eternal will, sometimes initiated before we pray and sometimes set into motion because of it. Praying is a work of His Spirit in and through us designed to tap into and teach about the vastness of His love and power.

It is good to be reminded of our Lord’s reign over all things. We might view prayer as an earnest expression of a litany of wants, while our Sovereign desires we enter communion with Him to worship and to understand His plans, even see their unfolding. Before we call, He’s not only attuned His ear but performed His benevolent response.

What do we consider before we call on the Lord- a list of what we think we need, or what He’s like? Is our perspective urgent, temporal, or eternal? How have we experienced His ministry while we wandered? When has He met us as we sought Him? How has His prescience surprised us and encouraged deeper, more dependent prayer?

“Here I raise my Ebenezer;
hither by thy help I’m come;
and I hope, by thy good pleasure,
safely to arrive at home.
Jesus sought me when a stranger,
wandering from the fold of God;
he, to rescue me from danger,
interposed his precious blood.

O to grace how great a debtor
daily I’m constrained to be!
Let that grace now, like a fetter,
bind my wandering heart to thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
prone to leave the God I love;
here’s my heart; O take and seal it;
seal it for thy courts above.” ~Robert Robinson (1758)

Father, align my desires and pleas with Your perfect will, to Your praise.

“Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord, O my soul!
I will praise the Lord as long as I live;
    I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.

Put not your trust in princes,
    in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation.
When his breath departs, he returns to the earth;
    on that very day his plans perish.

Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
    whose hope is in the Lord his God,
who made heaven and earth,
    the sea, and all that is in them,
who keeps faith forever;
   who executes justice for the oppressed,
    who gives food to the hungry.

The Lord sets the prisoners free;
   the Lord opens the eyes of the blind.
The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down;
    the Lord loves the righteous.
The Lord watches over the sojourners;
    he upholds the widow and the fatherless,
    but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.

The Lord will reign forever,
    your God, O Zion, to all generations.
Praise the Lord!” Psalm 146

Helps. Makes. Keeps, executes justice, feeds. Sets free, opens eyes, lifts up, loves. Watches over, upholds. Reigns forever. Every part of thought is energized, every limb moves at benevolent work, all prepositions are engaged in the Lord’s tending to His own. Nary a nod to rest, never a blind eye or chilly heart, He keeps His watch and to His work. His word runs through His activity to perform His bidding. (Psalm 121:2-4; Jeremiah 1:12)

The aware believer cannot ignore the incessant, divine activity of our Lord. Are we watching, wondering? While we have our being, will we also praise? Because of His careful tending, we can live with vitality in hope, strength, peace, and delight.

God’s vibrant presence compels us to live in kind. Do I offer my body a living sacrifice to be busy about His work and will? Do I ask Him to harness my mind and direct my thoughts? How intent am I on using the gifts, the time, the opportunities He has entrusted to me for His kingdom good? How joyfully, purposefully, industriously do I perform His directed duties?

How will my life, reflecting the image and power of Christ within, be spent honoring Him and serving His will, His people, His world?

“Take my life and let it be
consecrated, Lord, to thee.
Take my moments and my days;
let them flow in endless praise,
let them flow in endless praise.

Take my hands and let them move
at the impulse of thy love.
Take my feet and let them be
swift and beautiful for thee,
swift and beautiful for thee.

Take my voice and let me sing
always, only, for my King.
Take my lips and let them be
filled with messages from thee,
filled with messages from thee.

Take my silver and my gold;
not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect and use
every power as thou shalt choose,
every power as thou shalt choose.

Take my will and make it thine;
it shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart it is thine own;
it shall be thy royal throne,
it shall be thy royal throne.

Take my love; my Lord, I pour
at thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself, and I will be
ever, only, all for thee,
ever, only, all for thee.” ~Frances Ridley Havergal (1874)

Amen.

“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.