The result?

Judges 2:10 ESV
[10] And all that generation also were gathered to their fathers. And there arose another generation after them who did not know the Lord or the work that he had done for Israel.

Generations lost because of the failure of fathers to get the job done.

Fathers paying lip service to YHWH and leaving the next generation to fend for themselves.

Fathers passively standing by while the spirit of this age discourages and consumes their wife and children.

Giving their strength to build their own kingdom, gain their own glory, and neglecting God’s Kingdom, the only one which will stand forever.

It’s painful to write those words, because they are autobiographical.

It took way too many years for me to submit to Christ’s Lordship, step out of the shadows, and endeavor to love by the strength of His Spirit, and not my own. I’ve still a long way to go.

The prodigal son come to his senses, the lost sheep that the Shepherd seeks after. We’ve read the stories and heard the sermons.

And been too proud to admit it was us, that it was me that was being talked about.

I can’t undo what has been done, but I can, by the grace of God and power of the Spirit, do what should have been done all along.

Love my wife as Christ loves the church. Raise my children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Love God with all my heart, soul and strength. Take up my cross daily and follow Him.

Godly generations don’t just happen.

In fact they most likely won’t, unless you and I do something about it.

We can’t change the past, we can only repent, rest in forgiveness, and move forward.

Let’s not waste another day.

God tells Joshua twice to “Get Up!” Ouch. I am falling on my face pleading for mercy and this is what I get?

But Joshua had work to do, and God was telling him in no uncertain terms to get to it. Sin was in the camp, it must be taken care of, and it must be done now.

I thought about this in my own life.

How many times have I been the cause of my own troubles and those around me because I have not quickly taken care of sin in my own life?

We read that God clearly instructs the people, and Achan willfully disobeys those clear commands. People die. The camp is in fearful disarray. Sin has consequences.

It was true then, and it’s true now.

God promises to forgive when we confess our sin. I am so grateful for that promise.

Is there something we need to “Get Up!” and take care of right now? Sin to be confessed and forsaken? Forgiveness to be sought and given? Relationships to be made right?

Get Up!

Joshua 7:6-11 ESV
[6] Then Joshua tore his clothes and fell to the earth on his face before the ark of the Lord until the evening, he and the elders of Israel. And they put dust on their heads. [7] And Joshua said, “Alas, O Lord God, why have you brought this people over the Jordan at all, to give us into the hands of the Amorites, to destroy us? Would that we had been content to dwell beyond the Jordan! [8] O Lord, what can I say, when Israel has turned their backs before their enemies! [9] For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land will hear of it and will surround us and cut off our name from the earth. And what will you do for your great name?” [10] The Lord said to Joshua, “Get up! Why have you fallen on your face? [11] Israel has sinned; they have transgressed my covenant that I commanded them; they have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen and lied and put them among their own belongings.