REPENTANCE AND CONSECRATION
Joshua 8:1-35
“Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
It is interesting that God made it a point to repeat the encouragement he gave to Joshua at the beginning of his commissioning. The matter is dealt with, we’re good, let’s move on. This, I believe, should be our understanding of God and his relationship with us. Sin gets in the way and weakens us. We repent of our sin as we are made aware of it. Then we believe God’s promise that he forgives us on the basis of Jesus’ sacrifice. And we move on.
Paul in Romans 8 tells us that “Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.” (Romans 8:5). I believe that this means we don’t dwell on our sin; we move on to set our minds on what the Spirit desires.
Satan casts doubts on our sincerity, our resolve to turn away from sin; he wants us to mull over our failure and work up appropriate emotions of regret, shame and sorrow. The truth of the matter is that these things are not what moves God to forgive; it is the intercession of Jesus and his sacrifice for us that moves God. So, do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Turn your attention once again to God’s word and follow him.
Joshua learned well his lesson. He humbled himself and followed God’s instructions carefully. And victory followed. But what he did after the victory underlines just how much he has taken to heart God’s instructions.
As you step back and watch the whole of Israel—every man, woman and child, including the foreigners living among them—silently watch as Joshua wrote God’s Law onto stone tablets, and then solemnly read those words aloud to his audience, you will surely sense how it is now imprinted on them that they are a people of God’s Word. Everyone must be mindful of God’s Word. And fresh from the victory over Ai, just after that ignoble defeat that caused their hearts to melt with fear and despair, after that tragic episode where they all stoned Achan to his death, everyone must know that Joshua is telling them that God’s Word is the difference between defeat and victory. Their survival and their success depends on God.
“Do what the Lord has commanded. See to it; you have my orders.”