Thursday – January 4

Joshua 7:21—22, “When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it. So Joshua sent messengers, and they ran unto the tent; and, behold, it was hid in his tent, and the silver under it.”  

What good is a coat you cannot wear or gold you cannot spend or silver you cannot display? All Achan could do with his stolen items was bury them in the ground. Any time we disobey God disappointment will follow. Yes, there is pleasure in sin for a season, but ultimately there is only disappointment. Choosing to sin and remain unrepentant never ends well; never brings the joy and satisfaction that it offers. The disappointment of disobedience is inevitable, but here is the strategy for victory. There is lasting joy in obedience! Obedience to God’s Word is almost always simple but never easy. Still, when you find your joy in Christ, in simply obeying Him regardless of the consequences, then there is joy. Value God more than sinful desires and move forward in victory with a clear conscience.