JANUARY 2

                                                                 TOPIC: IS THERE NOT A REASON?

Memory verse:-

"But the Israelites were unfaithful in regard to the devoted things ; Achan son of Karmi, the son of Zimri, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of them. So the Lord’s anger burned against Israel. Now Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is near Beth Aven to the east of Bethel, and told them, "Go up and spy out the region.” So the men went up and spied out Ai. When they returned to Joshua, they said, "Not all the army will have to go up against Ai. Send two or three thousand men to take it and do not weary the whole army, for only a few people live there.” So about three thousand went up; but they were routed by the men of Ai, who killed about thirty-six of them. They chased the Israelites from the city gate as far as the stone quarries and struck them down on the slopes. At this the hearts of the people melted in fear and became like water.

Then Joshua tore his clothes and fell facedown to the ground before the ark of the Lord, remaining there till evening. The elders of Israel did the same, and sprinkled dust on their heads. And Joshua said, "Alas, Sovereign Lord, why did you ever bring this people across the Jordan to deliver us into the hands of the Amorites to destroy us? If only we had been content to stay on the other side of the Jordan! Pardon your servant, Lord. What can I say, now that Israel has been routed by its enemies? The Canaanites and the other people of the country will hear about this and they will surround us and wipe out our name from the earth. What then will you do for your own great name?”

The Lord said to Joshua, "Stand up! What are you doing down on your face? Israel has sinned; they have violated my covenant, which I commanded them to keep. They have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen, they have lied, they have put them with their own possessions. That is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies; they turn their backs and run because they have been made liable to destruction. I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy whatever among you is devoted to destruction.”

                                                                                                           -Joshua 7:1-12

There is a reason for every good or bad thing happening just that we find it difficult to ascertain the cause as mere mortals we are. As such we need not to jump into conclusion of things that are happening we rather have to consult the Lord because he knows what no one knows and sees beyond our human eye. There is a reason for the present situation whether good or bad but the Lord is there to help us. That is why there is always hope. It is not about moving from one shrine to the other but about us seeking the face of our maker and this is the time.

Prayer:-seek the face of the Lord concerning your present situation

              pray for divine intervention in the affairs of the world now

What to meditate:

What have you stolen from the Lord, think deeply about this before you answer?