REARVIEW & WINDSHIELD - June 24th, 2012

READING LAWS & RENEWING COVENANTS
This weeks sermon, entitled TOXIC: A Serious Danger, dealt with the global pandemic that is affecting every human being. We peered into the story of Achan and his hidden sin as told in Joshua 7 and 8, and considered the consequences of Achan's sin in comparison to the consequences of our sin.


In Joshua 7, we see that Achan and his family are purged from Israel because of Achan's flagrant sin. As a result, God's anger is subdued, and the Israelite army soundly defeats the small city of Ai by outnumbering and outwitting them using a brilliant bait-and-switch tactic.


That victory, however, which should have been easily handled with little resources and no loss of life, had taken the life of Achan, his family, and 36 other fighting men. It had als0 revealed a chink in the armor to the surrounding armies that would stand to oppose Joshua's army.


Now, in Joshua 8:30, we see the response of Joshua and the nation of Israel to the bittersweet victory at the battle of Ai.


THEY BUILD AN ALTAR
It was customary in this culture to signify major events by building a memorial. This particular altar was more than just a pile of stones, though. It was built according to the standards of the Levitical law, and was then used to make sacrificial offerings as atonement for their sin, and to signify peace with God.


THE TAKE-HOME: 
In our lives it is good to create "altars" to memorialize when God does something big in our lives. Salvation, recommitment, answered prayer; all are significant reasons to create a memory maker. Something as simple as a journal entry, or even a note scribbled on a calendar (if you keep your old calendars) will serve as a valuable reminder of God's hand in your life.


JOSHUA RE-WRITES THE LAW... IN STONE
To further drive home the importance of God's commands, Joshua creates another copy of the Mosaic law written on stone tablets. That feat is impressive, but the interesting note is that the assembly of the Israelites sat and watched him carve it! This visually illustrated the importance of EVERY DETAIL of the law, and forced all those in attendance to consider at length the meaning and implications of each commandment.


THE TAKE-HOME: 
How important is God's law in your life? Does it hold a central and significant place? Is your life built around it, or do you try to stretch it around your life? If we are to stand against sin and death, then we have to be able to identify the symptoms of this global sin pandemic. That requires intimate knowledge of God's simple but thorough compilation of laws that guide our faith and our life.



JOSHUA READS THE LAW - ALL OF IT
Joshua then goes on to read the entirety of the law. The people of Israel now hear the entirety of the law: The promised blessings that come from obedience, and the promised curse that comes from ignoring it.


While a study of the Torah is foundational to understanding the tenets of our faith history, It may be a little advanced for many. As a quick study, I encourage you to go to an online Bible and do a search for the words "sin" and "sins." Then take the time to read each instance of the word as found in the Torah (the first 5 books of the bible). As you read, ask God to reveal to you His take on sin, and think about what it would look like if you adopted the same attitude.


THE TAKE-HOME: 
My mother makes a fantastic fudge infused with cocoa and marshmallow creme. When I was a kid, I sat down and ate about four...teen pieces in one sitting. Later that night I involuntarily returned all I had eaten, as my stomach refused to accept my indulgent act. To this day I can barely bring myself to take a bite of fudge. What I once loved with a sinful passion, I now have little to no desire for.


My hope and prayer is that I - along with our congregation - "lose our stomach" for sin, as we see the destructive, heinous, and ultimately fatal result of it in our lives, the lives of our family, the lives of our friends, and the lives of generations to come.


PRAYER
Father God, I pray that you will clearly remind us of every time you have engaged and impacted our lives through your love, your mercy, and with your power. Don't let us take for granted your intense desire to be our God, and we your people.


I pray that you will stir up within us a passion for your law, as we understand its purpose to guard to protect us, and to guide and instruct us.


I pray that you will literally turn our stomachs when we think of our own sin, and when we see the despicable result of sin in the world around us. Help us to understand and pursue holiness, as you, our God and maker, are holy.


I pray that we begin to build our lives around you by seeking you in prayer at every temptation and before every decision, and by building our passion for Your Kingdom as we engage your holy Word.