Devotion for October 12, 2008

The Testimony of God on a Nation

“So it was, when all the kings of the Amorites who [were] on the west side of the Jordan, and all the kings of the Canaanites who [were] by the sea, heard that the LORD had dried up the waters of the Jordan from before the children of Israel until we had crossed over, that their heart melted; and there was no spirit in them any longer because of the children of Israel. At that time the LORD said to Joshua, "Make flint knives for yourself, and circumcise the sons of Israel again the second time." So Joshua made flint knives for himself, and circumcised the sons of Israel at the hill of the foreskins. And this [is] the reason why Joshua circumcised them: All the people who came out of Egypt [who were] males, all the men of war, had died in the wilderness on the way, after they had come out of Egypt. For all the people who came out had been circumcised, but all the people born in the wilderness, on the way as they came out of Egypt, had not been circumcised. For the children of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness, till all the people [who were] men of war, who came out of Egypt, were consumed, because they did not obey the voice of the LORD—to whom the LORD swore that He would not show them the land which the LORD had sworn to their fathers that He would give us, "a land flowing with milk and honey." Then Joshua circumcised their sons [whom] He raised up in their place; for they were uncircumcised, because they had not been circumcised on the way. So it was, when they had finished circumcising all the people, that they stayed in their places in the camp till they were healed. Then the LORD said to Joshua, "This day I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you." Therefore the name of the place is called Gilgal to this day.” (Joshua 5:1-9 NKJV)

God had brought the nation across the mighty Jordan which was always swollen during the harvest and that being the time of their crossing the Amorites and Canaanites hearts melted with fear. Think for a moment what caused them to fear? It was God’s miracle, right?

Surely, the world would also fear if they could see the miracle done in you. God would become real to people if they could see how the Spirit moved you. Oh they might not yield their lives to Him, but they would know He has the power to change a life.

You say I have been changed and nobody really cares. Could it be that the change was not caused by the Spirit of God? Could it be that what you have experienced was merely and emotional event with no lasting affect? Alternatively, could it be that you have allowed sin to so soil your testimony that only a glimmer of light still shines from your life?

Do not assume this writer is excluding himself. This not a rock-throwing contest. All believers need to evaluate how visible the Spirit of God is in their life. Believers should stand out against the blackness of this world.

The Israelites were serious about following their God. This is obvious by the painful circumcision they all endured. Believers must be willing to sacrifice for the Lord. The sacrifice most needed today is the shedding of sinful behavior, worldly behavior that plagues so many who name the name of Christ. Please circumcise your heart right now.