3/24/2021 Joshua 7:16-21

“Deal with sins quickly”

SCRIPTURE
Joshua 7:16. Early the next morning, Joshua had Israel come forward by tribes, and Judah was taken.

OBSERVATION

Summary
Finding the person who had stolen the devoted things was proceeded by drawing lots. Achan was chosen, and he finally confessed what he did.

Who is God
God wants us to deal with sin as quickly as possible.

APPLICATION

Joshua got up early in the morning to deal with the sin in the Israeli community. The fact that he woke up early in the morning means that Joshua responded to God’s order to get rid of devoted things in the community quickly and seriously. What Joshua did gives us a lesson that we should deal with sins rapidly.

I think God wanted to give Achan a chance to repent. God could have told Joshua that the sinner was Achan, but He did not say who he was. So Joshua led the whole Israeli community to draw lots. While people were continuing to draw lots, Achan was given a chance to repent. But Achan abandoned the opportunity. Achan was trying to hide his sins until the moment he drew the lot. And finally, he had to confess what he did standing before Joshua. “Just as man is destined to die once and after that to face judgment.” Even if we hide sins in this world, someday, we will face them standing before God’s judgment seat. If Achan confessed what he had done right away before Joshua and the Israeli community and asked for forgiveness, I think our merciful God could have forgiven him.

“In your anger, do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.” Eph. 4:26-27. “Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam, so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.” Prov. 17:14. It is the wisdom to resolve disputes immediately lest the devil should intervene. Missing the right time can prolong the treatment period. If you don’t correct a minor mistake right away, the devil could inflame it. Be quick to acknowledge my mistake or fault, confess them honestly and ask for forgiveness before God and man. That is how we glorify God; as Joshua said to Achan, “My son, give glory to the LORD, the God of Israel, and give him the praise. Tell me what you have done; do not hide it from me.”

• Sin to avoid: Admit my mistake right away and don’t put off confessing it.
• Promise to hold: God is the God of mercy and grace and forgives those who repent.
• Action to take place: Deal with sin quickly. Make every effort to settle the dispute quickly.

PRAYER
Heavenly Father, I want to acknowledge my shortcomings, sins, or faults immediately, confess them, repent them, and correct them. Watch my thoughts, words, and conducts and reveal anything wrong or sinful before your eyesight so that I can confess and correct them immediately.