SCRIPTURE: Joshua 22
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
If we have built our own altar to turn away from the LORD and to offer burnt offerings and grain offerings, or to sacrifice fellowship offerings on it, may the LORD himself call us to account. [Joshua 22:23]
The tribes on the other side of the Jordan are accused of setting up an alternate altar – against the Lord’s commands.
But they know that they are innocent, and are prepared to expose their hearts to the Lord – may the LORD himself call us to account.
But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God. [John 3:21]
Jesus describes the person who has a clear conscience, and who allows the Lord to search their heart.
To let the Lord look into our heart is a scary thing to do.
It is not because they think that they are perfect before God.
No, they know there is sin, but they also know that they are sincere in their hatred of sin and their desire to do what is right.
We need to keep our hearts open to the Lord’s searchlight.
He is the One Who can search and know our hearts, and then help us, leading us in the right direction.
Those who want to do what is right, who desire to be right before God, will not hesitate to stand before the Lord for mercy and help.
Am I open to the Lord, or am I hiding something?
PRAYER:
Lord, help me to pray David’s prayer: Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. [Psalm 139:23-24]
“be very careful to keep the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you: to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to keep his commands, to hold fast to him and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul. ” This is the way in which to walk. And when some of the people returning to their inheritance were questioned about their walk, their response was as follows:
“Far be it from us to rebel against the Lord and turn away from him today by building an altar for burnt offerings, grain offerings and sacrifices, other than the altar of the Lord our God that stands before his tabernacle. ”
All m]need to be glad when that response was heard.
And so today, when my walk is questioned, I too need to be able to say, as Joshua, one of my Bible heroes said, ‘but as for me and my household, we will serve the living God.’ My heart is an open book to the Lord and He knows all my thoughts as I live in His presence each day and always.
Help me Lord to walk in Your SonShine. Always.
How shall the young direct their way?
What light shall be their perfect guide?
Thy Word, O Lord, will safely lead,
If in its wisdom they confide.
Sincerely I have sought Thee, Lord,
O let me not from Thee depart;
To know Thy will and keep from sin
Thy Word I cherish in my heart.
O blessèd Lord, teach me Thy law,
Thy righteous judgments I declare;
Thy testimonies make me glad,
For they are wealth beyond compare.
Upon Thy precepts and Thy ways
My heart will meditate with awe;
Thy Word shall be my chief delight,
And I will not forget Thy law.