Just like obedience, disobedience may not have any power of it's own, but it holds back the power of God. It can also unleash his wrath. For proof of this, we need only read of the last days of Achan in Chapter 7 of Joshua.
Just after God dropped the wall of Jericho and gave the Israelites one more example of His awesome power and His ability to take care of them, Achan did a very unwise thing. He disobeyed the Almighty God. But that isn't all. He also stole from Him.
To properly understand this, we have to go over His instructions to the Israelites concerning the entire city of Jericho and EVERYTHING in it.
And the city shall be accursed, even it, and all that are therein, to the LORD: only Rahab the harlot shall live, she and all that are with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent. And ye, in any wise keep yourselves from the accursed thing, lest ye make yourselves accursed, when ye take of the accursed thing, and make the camp of Israel a curse, and trouble it. But all the silver, and gold, and vessels of brass and iron, are consecrated unto the LORD: they shall come into the treasury of the LORD. (Joshua 6:17-19)
In Hebrew, this word (strongs #H2763) accurse(d), means to dedicate to religious purposes or to completely destroy.
This word, (Strongs # H6944) consecrate(d), means sacred, holy or dedicated.
They were supposed to destroy everything in the city except the things that were to be consecrated for his temple.
So long story short, Achan took for himself some fancy Babylonian clothes, some silver and a big chunk of gold and buried it in his tent and thought no one would ever know. The trouble is, someone did know. God knew. And our sins never only effect us. So the next time the Israelites went out to battle, they did so without the power of the Lord. They lost and they were so confused. So God explained the situation and told them to get ready to find out who did what.
Achan's sins were revealed. His treasures were taken. He and his family were killed.
After reading this, the thing I am left to ponder is this; After trecking through the wilderness with the rest of the Isrealites and experiencing the MANY miracles and provisions of God, why did he need such a small treasure. Why did he still trust in what he could aquire for himself instead of trusting in the Lord to provide the very best for him...He had always provided the very best for them all. But Achan still felt the overwhelming urge to provide for himself instead of depending on God.
We all do that don't we. If we didn't we wouldn't spend more time and energy in pursuit of money and things than we spent in pursuit of God. If we really trusted Him to provide all we need....like He already promised He would....we wouldn't run ourselves ragged and stress ourselves out. We would simply pray, trust and relax.
In this. I am just as guilty as Achan. But I am encouraged to know that it doesn't HAVE to be this way. God allows do overs! I can stop stressing right now and trust Him to come through for me like He promised He would! I am encouraged to know that where there is repentance, there is forgiveness. I can repent of my mistrust. I can be forgiven and renewed...and so can you.
I am encouraged to know of (and receive) His love and grace. It is sufficient for me. It is sufficient for you. I am encouraged. Won't you be encouraged with me today?
