It seems that many have forgotten that God is able to fight against us as well as for us. Joshua 24:14-15 says, “14 Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the Lord. 15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
This is a passage of scripture that is often quoted, taught, or talked about. In order to recognize the significance of what Joshua was saying here, one would do well to take note of Joshua 23:15-16, “15 Therefore it shall come to pass, that as all good things are come upon you, which the Lord your God promised you; so shall the Lord bring upon you all evil things, until he have destroyed you from off this good land which the Lord your God hath given you. 16 When ye have transgressed the covenant of the Lord your God, which he commanded you, and have gone and served other gods, and bowed yourselves to them; then shall the anger of the Lord be kindled against you, and ye shall perish quickly from off the good land which he hath given unto you.”
This clearly tells us that the same hand of God who fought battles for them and gave them the promised land will be turned against them if they turn away to other gods.
Joshua 24:16, 20-21 “16 And the people answered and said, God forbid that we should forsake the Lord, to serve other gods; 20 If ye forsake the Lord, and serve strange gods, then he will turn and do you hurt, and consume you, after that he hath done you good.
21 And the people said unto Joshua, Nay; but we will serve the Lord.”
The Bible teaches us that the Israelites would indeed trespass against God, and their enemies took them into captivity, their homes burned, and they lay desolate.
You might ask, “What about those of us who are under grace?” While it is true, thank God, that we are under grace and the blood of Christ washes away our sins, it is also true that obedience and loyalty to God are still required.
Hebrews 12:5-8 “5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: 6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.”
I pray that we ALL stop and consider God’s invisible hands as we travel through this life and strive to have them on us for good and not evil.
Ricky Wilborn
Fort Payne, AL
