When Things Go Bad

Sin in the Camp

English Standard Version Chapter 7

7 But the people of Israel broke faith in regard to the devoted things, for Achan the son of Carmi, son of Zabdi, son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of the devoted things. And the anger of the LORD burned against the people of Israel.

2 Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is near Beth-aven, east of Bethel, and said to them, “Go up and spy out the land.” And the men went up and spied out Ai. 3 And they returned to Joshua and said to him, “Do not have all the people go up, but let about two or three thousand men go up and attack Ai. Do not make the whole people toil up there, for they are few.” 4 So about three thousand men went up there from the people. And they fled before the men of Ai, 5 and the men of Ai killed about thirty-six of their men and chased them before the gate as far as Shebarim and struck them at the descent. And the hearts of the people melted and became as water.

6 Then Joshua tore his clothes and fell to the earth on his face before the ark of the LORD until the evening, he and the elders of Israel. And they put dust on their heads. 7 And Joshua said, “Alas, O Lord GOD, why have you brought this people over the Jordan at all, to give us into the hands of the Amorites, to destroy us? Would that we had been content to dwell beyond the Jordan! 8 O Lord, what can I say, when Israel has turned their backs before their enemies! 9 For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land will hear of it and will surround us and cut off our name from the earth. And what will you do for your great name?”

English Standard Version Chapter 7

10 The LORD said to Joshua, “Get up! Why have you fallen on your face? 11 Israel has sinned; they have transgressed my covenant that I commanded them; they have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen and lied and put them among their own belongings. 12 Therefore the people of Israel cannot stand before their enemies. They turn their backs before their enemies, because they have become devoted for destruction. I will be with you no more, unless you destroy the devoted things from among you. 13 Get up! Consecrate the people and say, ‘Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow; for thus says the LORD, God of Israel, “There are devoted things in your midst, O Israel.

Ever have something go terribly wrong for something you thought the Lord had ordained. Or have you ever started something only to have it fail. For the Isreal they were defeated by the men of Ai.

There is always a reason, with God. When you’re in this situation, it’s always best to inquire of the Lord like Joshua. Maybe there’s something wrong that needs to be addressed. Maybe the LORD is thwarting your progress because you’re missing something or maybe you have fallen into sin. Or, maybe the attitude of you heart is not what it should be.

In the case of the Israelites, there was sin in the camp.

If things seem bad for some reason, inquire of the Lord. Don’t delay. Inquire of the Lord. There may be something wrong that you have no idea of. Many times, The Lord likes to be instructive and show you the problem through many ways including visions and dreams. We tend to think everything is fine and that there are no issues. But the Lord is sovereign and knows the deeper things of your life. He is a guardian of you soul.

There’s a prayer from a psalm that might help:

The New International Version Psalm 139

23 Search me, God, and know my heart;

test me and know my anxious thoughts.

24 See if there is any offensive way in me,

and lead me in the way everlasting.

Make a covenant with the Lord saying that He would do this every day, so that you would stay in good standing with the Lord. Offer yourselves as living sacrifices.

English Standard Version Chapter 12

12 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

I know for me, I’m growing in the area. Many times I do not think of inquiring and suffer for it. I’ll make a quick judgement but fail to receive the whole counsel of God.

So, I challenge you, in the sight of God, think about what’s going on in your life. Maybe it’s with your career. Maybe it’s something with mental illness. Go before the Lord and ask. He may give you a word or impression of the Holy Spirit, so that you know.

And really it’s not just inquiring of the Lord when something goes wrong. It’s better to inquire of the Lord daily. So, I challenge you to get before the Lord in the beginning of your day for a week and inquire. Simply ask God to provide guidance for the day.

Oh Lord, we consecrate our lives before you. We make ourselves living sacrifices so that we’ll know your will is. Search us always and let us know if there is some wrong doing.

<Close in prayer>