“And the men of Ai struck down about thirty-six men…therefore the hearts of the people melted and became like water.” Joshua 7:5
Dear Ones:
There is nothing quite like going forth in faith, believing in the victory of Christ to be seen and known, only to suffer defeat. The first question in such a situation is always addressed towards heaven, “O Lord God, why?” (Joshua 7:7) In Joshua’s account of the conquest of Canaan, after witnessing the miracles of God in the conquest of Jericho, Joshua sent men to scout out Ai, another point of defiance to God, and to Israel. Upon examining the city and the situation, these men advised Joshua to send up a limited number of men to take the city, believing that it would fall as did Jericho. What they did not know was that “the children of Israel had committed a trespass regarding the accursed things…,” that God had prohibited. The men went forth “believing.” Yet, they were defeated, and lost thirty-five men. Why? It had to do with a cloud…a cloud of “separation,” a cloud which would represent a lack of clarity of communion between the believer and God. Charles Wesley put it like this: “”My will be swallowed up in Thee, Light in Thy light still may I see, In Thine unclouded face.” Israel, perhaps neglecting the necessity of seeking the Lord every morning for “light,” and an understanding of His will, did not see that, though the Lord was “with” them, He was not working “for” them. The same was true of Samson who ceased the “seek” the Lord, and fellowship with Him. He, as Israel must have done, relied on his calling rather than upon the One who had called him. He neglected the principle thing, beyond the calling, that of communion with God, walking with God. The same thing happened to him as with Joshua. “He did not know that the Lord had departed from him.” (Judges 16:20) The result was that his enemies made him their slave.
The presence of God WITH and IN the believer is an unchangeable fact. This is because of the covenant union of Christ by His Spirit with the believer. However, in the matter of communion, sin towards God will neutralize the effect and power of God. Isaiah writes: “But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you.” (59:2) David writes: “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear.” (Ps. 66:18) Sin is an act or attitude of faithlessness, a turning away from the truth and way of God, to engage in taking an another path, embracing another thought or action, than that of Christ. When it is revealed to the heart, it must be dealt with. To not do so, for whatever reason, is to choose to “walk in darkness,” and to not practice the truth. This, God will NOT bless. What is the remedy to this matter, even with regard to “hidden” sins, that we do not see? David again comes to our aid. Note that in the matter of sin, David seeks God first and foremost, for ultimately, ALL sin is against Him, and ONLY He can deal with it. He writes: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Ps. 139:23-24) What would have occurred if Joshua and Samson had sought the Lord in this manner? Would the Lord have shown them the truth in order to maintain communion with his servants?
Dear Father, how we praise You that are graciously willing to remove any “cloud” between us, in our communion with You. You, who alone, can deal with ALL of our sin, please do so. “Make forgiveness feel so sweet,” restoring our soul, so that we can walk with You, in the light, knowing the reality of Your victory in and through us. We thank and praise You in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Love, Dad