Seize the Moment – Day 673
Obey God!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Wednesday, January 19.
Have you ever wondered why some things are permissible, while others are not? While I’m a rule-follower at heart, I do find it very interesting that in my lifetime I have watched things called evil be deemed good and that which used to be considered good now become morally wrong. It can be confusing, especially if you are focused on our everchanging culture.
The Israelites are facing the city of Ai after suffering a defeat because of the sin of Achan. Joshua has received a new battle plan from God. Joshua 8:1-2 captures a significant change in God’s commands between the battles of Jericho and Ai:
Do not fear or be dismayed. Take all the people of war with you and arise, go up to Ai; see, I have given into your hand the king of Ai, his people, his city, and his land. You shall do to Ai and its king just as you did to Jericho and its king; you shall take only its spoil and its cattle as plunder for yourselves. Set an ambush for the city behind it.
After the punishment of Achan, and the people’s willingness to root the evil out of their camp, God promised to give them the city of Ai. This time the Israelites were allowed to take plunder. If only Achan had waited upon the Lord to provide the increase!
In 1 Samuel 15:22-23a, Saul justified his disobedience to God’s battle plans, but Samuel explained what was most important:
Has the Lord as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and insubordination is as iniquity and idolatry.
Seize the moment and obey God! Submit yourself to His ways as a good soldier of Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 2:3-4).
God bless you!