So about 3,000 men went up, but they were routed by the Men of Ai, who killed about 36 of them
Joshua 7:4-5a
Joshua 7:4-5a
As I read this passage the theme of arrogance became crystal clear to me. The Israelites had just been a part of one of the most miraculous things in the Old Testament, the fall of the walls of Jericho. They had marched around the city for seven days, they had been a part of the triumphant trumpet blasts, and they had seen the God-induced fear in the eyes of their enemies. Yet we fast forward one chapter, and now the Israelites are being killed by a much inferior army, why?
Arrogance in themselves had replaced confidence in the One, true God of Israel. When the walls came down, they had put there full trust and confidence in the Lord himself. When the 3,000 men went to destroy the Men of Ai, they were propelled by their own arrogance. They thought that they were a troop of King Midas', everything they touched God had to bless. This arrogance cost them 36 men, along with all the families that were affected by the deaths.
The line between confidence and arrogance can be an incredibly thin line, but it is a line that makes the difference between the Walls of Jericho falling and the loss of 36 men. The line is defined by the focus. Confidence is focused on who God is, while arrogance is focused on who I am.
It is so important that I lead out of confidence, that God's power can be displayed through my life. God's power will bring people to Christ, God's power will break addictions, God's power will transform families and communities. My arrogance will only leave people unfulfilled, untouched and unchanged.
Dear Lord, may my confidence in you never wain, may your glory manifest itself in my life. May walls come down, may lives be transformed through your mighty power. Lord replace any arrogance, with confidence in you. In the name of your risen Son, Amen.
Arrogance in themselves had replaced confidence in the One, true God of Israel. When the walls came down, they had put there full trust and confidence in the Lord himself. When the 3,000 men went to destroy the Men of Ai, they were propelled by their own arrogance. They thought that they were a troop of King Midas', everything they touched God had to bless. This arrogance cost them 36 men, along with all the families that were affected by the deaths.
The line between confidence and arrogance can be an incredibly thin line, but it is a line that makes the difference between the Walls of Jericho falling and the loss of 36 men. The line is defined by the focus. Confidence is focused on who God is, while arrogance is focused on who I am.
It is so important that I lead out of confidence, that God's power can be displayed through my life. God's power will bring people to Christ, God's power will break addictions, God's power will transform families and communities. My arrogance will only leave people unfulfilled, untouched and unchanged.
Dear Lord, may my confidence in you never wain, may your glory manifest itself in my life. May walls come down, may lives be transformed through your mighty power. Lord replace any arrogance, with confidence in you. In the name of your risen Son, Amen.
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