NO! You may NOT!
NO! You may NOT!
Joshua 23
Joshua is old now, the Israelites have been
at rest from their enemies for awhile now. That is something you don't see very often.
Israel at rest. It seems someone is always wanting to take them off the map, even now today.
But Joshua gave them fair warning...
"If you turn away from the way of the Lord and become friends with these people who are not part of Israel and marry them, the Lord your God will not help you defeat your enemies. (Joshua 23:12NCV)
Now why would you mess up a good thing!
You have REST for heavens sake! Aren't you tired of war and fighting? Aren't you tired of the constant battle? Aren't you enjoying resting?
It's like one of you could take a thousand,
Not because of your great strength, but because God fights for you! How amazing is THAT?
With his help, one Israelite could defeat a thousand, because the Lord your God fights for you, as he promised to do. (Joshua 23:10 NCV)
Why is it when we have it good, when life is going along and we have everything we need, we creep over in other pastures where the grass looks greener? Are we just that stupid to tempt God?
It's because even though we may have rest from earthly enemies, there is still a enemy that never leaves us alone! An enemy that plants thoughts in our mind.
Don't you see it ALL the time? He stops at the bar after work occasionally with the guys, just to relax and unwind. He finds himself striking up a conversation with a young woman. She likes listening to him. His wife doesn't listen much anymore, she is busy with the kids and her friends. It's just a drink and just a conversation.
Who set this meeting up? God? Doubtful it was in God's plans! No, the enemy got him to stop off at the bar. Convinced him he deserved a drink, got him to strike up a harmless conversation! Caused his wife to forget she had a husband to talk to and just talked to the kids and her friends. He manipulated the whole thing!
It won't be long his kids will be without a father! His wife will be left to alone to fend for herself! A marriage destroyed!
THAT is what the enemy does!
He destroys!
How did that happen?
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. (1 Peter 5:8 NKJV)
Satan seeks to devour us! To take our rest! To cause us pain and suffering! To cause us to give up a good life for a life of turmoil! Like a roaring lion....he seeks who he may devour!
Who he MAY! He doesn't have power over us! If we stay close to God and refuse to be manipulated by him, then no...he MAY NOT devour our family!
He MAY NOT rob us, steal from us!
The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. (John 10:10 NKJV)
Don't let the thief take away your abundant life! God gives us ABUNDANT life!
It won't be long and the Israelites will be begin to wander over to what looks like greener pastures. They will take their 'rest' God has given them for granted. They will be tempted to strike up harmless conversations with the enemy.
Joshua warned them! He told them what would happen if they wandered...
They will be like traps for you, like whips on your back and thorns in your eyes, and none of you will be left in this good land the Lord your God has given you. (Joshua 23:13 NCV)
Like whips on your back, thorns in your eyes.
Whips on your back! Doesn't that sound like a slave master, whipping his slave?
We've been set FREE! Why would we want to be a slave of the enemy again?
Joshua is giving us fair warning too!
If you don't have rest, God will give it to you!
And if you have it, for heavens sake, hold on to it!
Let the enemy know he MAY NOT devour you!
Created 5 months ago
