365 Devotionals: The Promised Land

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. James 1:22 AMP

The Seeds of Promise Devotional Series

Great Expectations

“In the beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself”. John 1:1 AMP

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March	Book	Read From	Read To	Devotional
15^th	Joshua	Chapter 7	Chapter 8	Great Expectations

Memory Verse

For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad. Luke 8:17 KJV

We learned in the last chapter of Joshua that the faithfulness of one person saved her entire family. Now we see that with divine favor comes great responsibility.

When the children of God go to battle against the works of Satan (Ephesians 6:12), we have confidence that if God be for us, none can stand against us (Romans 8:31). If however, we have the accursed thing in our midst – as did a man of one of the 12 tribes who crossed over Jordan, God may remove His hedge of protection as a testimony against us. We should not think that we shall be invincible in the midst of disobedience.

God gave the children of Israel specific instructions (Joshua 6:18-19) concerning the possessions of Jericho. We later find that some items meant to be destroyed were hidden in a tent within the camp of Israel.

But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against the children of Israel. Joshua 7:1 KJV

Here we see that because of the transgression of just one man, the entire membership of the children of Israel was accursed. Was everyone guilty? Had all stolen? When you represent God, you are charged with upholding His reputation before the world. He can not allow you to behave unseemingly without correction, for then you would not be rightfully able to call yourself his child (Hebrews 12:6).

Moreover, the Children of Israel were not strangers to the surrounding people in that their fame had gone abroad – as mighty in battle, a force to be reckoned with. God meant this for His glory. He desires to confound the plans of the wise who believe themselves to be so without His help. This is done in order that all may see that it is only by God that any may live, move and have their being. If the Children of Israel were allowed to willfully transgress God’s commandment and maintain their victory status, this would have been a mockery to God.

We read in the seventh chapter of Joshua that the heart of the people melted – or lost confidence when they were defeated in battle at Ai (Joshua 7:5). Had not God said that Joshua would no longer face the scorn of the slavery-ridden past? (Joshua 5:9). Were these not God’s chosen people whom God told Joshua to lead? How could they lose to a relatively small army after such a legendary triumph at Jericho?

Confidence in God’s shadow (Psalm 91:1) is not the same as arrogance. It is an understanding of the fear [due reverence] of God – the beginning of wisdom. It is trust based on God’s proven nature: perfect in love, omniscient and all-powerful. As children of God, we have great expectations as to what God can perform on our behalf when the enemy comes like a flood against us (Isaiah 59:19). It is because of Him that we know Satan will fail (Isaiah 54:17). We know that God will lift up a standard in our favor, that we shall be victorious. In turn, God expects our utmost for His highest crown – as there is no other God above Him. If we want to please Him, we can neither be half-hearted in our praise and worship, nor covetous of the wicked portion of our enemies.

What will it profit a man to gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Mark 8:36 KJV

Nothing good. This is what the thief in this lesson received for his “hidden treasure.” Not only he, but all his household saw their last day as a direct result of his sin.

Sin. What is it good for? Absolutely nothing.

But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: Matthew 6:20 KJV

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