DAY 82 Read Joshua 5 through 7.
Today's reading recounts the dramatic fall of Jericho and the results of Acha's tragic sin.
Memory gem: "Take heed, and beware of covetousness: a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth" (Luke 12:15).
Thought for today:
Covetousness is a "respectable" sin. It is a sin we are afraid to mention. It is like pride. Even church members can be guilty of it and not know it. No doubt many who are covetous do not realize that they are. That is why they never confess their sin of covetousness. It is deceitful and prevalent.
Covetousness dries up the resources of the church, holds back the gospel, paralyzes foreign missions. Covetousness deadens the soul to the influence of the Holy Spirit, dries up the milk of human kindness. Covetousness, being a form of idolatry, sets up another god in the heart (see Colossians 3:5). This is why it is such a great sin--it takes the place of the true God and Jesus Christ, our Lord. Covetousness caused the fall of Lucifer and made the cross necessary. Covetousness has ruined churches and homes and nations. It has blighted millions. Covetousness, the original sin of Lucifer in heaven and Eve in Eden, is the fundamental rebellion against God.
God gave heaven's greatest gift for our salvation. Jesus Christ, our Lord, gave Himself for our redemption. The cure of covetousness is true regeneration and conversion by the power of the Spirit of God. Then, those who are born as the sons of God may walk in the Spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ, who, though He was rich, became poor that we through His poverty might become rich (see 2 Corinthians 8:9).
Let us seek God for victory over selfishness and the sin we are afraid to mention.
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Difficult or obscure words:
Joshua 6:9. "Rereward"--an obsolete English word meaning rear guard.
Today's reading recounts the dramatic fall of Jericho and the results of Acha's tragic sin.
Memory gem: "Take heed, and beware of covetousness: a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth" (Luke 12:15).
Thought for today:
Covetousness is a "respectable" sin. It is a sin we are afraid to mention. It is like pride. Even church members can be guilty of it and not know it. No doubt many who are covetous do not realize that they are. That is why they never confess their sin of covetousness. It is deceitful and prevalent.
Covetousness dries up the resources of the church, holds back the gospel, paralyzes foreign missions. Covetousness deadens the soul to the influence of the Holy Spirit, dries up the milk of human kindness. Covetousness, being a form of idolatry, sets up another god in the heart (see Colossians 3:5). This is why it is such a great sin--it takes the place of the true God and Jesus Christ, our Lord. Covetousness caused the fall of Lucifer and made the cross necessary. Covetousness has ruined churches and homes and nations. It has blighted millions. Covetousness, the original sin of Lucifer in heaven and Eve in Eden, is the fundamental rebellion against God.
God gave heaven's greatest gift for our salvation. Jesus Christ, our Lord, gave Himself for our redemption. The cure of covetousness is true regeneration and conversion by the power of the Spirit of God. Then, those who are born as the sons of God may walk in the Spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ, who, though He was rich, became poor that we through His poverty might become rich (see 2 Corinthians 8:9).
Let us seek God for victory over selfishness and the sin we are afraid to mention.
----------------
Difficult or obscure words:
Joshua 6:9. "Rereward"--an obsolete English word meaning rear guard.
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