Bible Thoughts

September 29, 2002

The Hebrews had been released from Egyptian bondage by the power of Jehovah. They were now entering the promised land. The Lord was with them and promised to protect and bless them as they conquered those who occupied the land of promise.

The children of Israel approached the city of Jericho for the Lord had given it "into your hand"(Joshua 6:2). The promises of God contain conditions that must be followed to receive His blessings. So it was in Jericho. The Israelites were to march around the city, the priests were to blow the trumpets and make a "long blast with the ram's horn," and the people were to "shout a great shout." When these instructions were followed, the wall surrounding Jericho would "fall down flat." The people of God complied with the commands of Jehovah and were given the city, with access to that which was within her walls.

"They burned the city with fire, and all that was in it"(Joshua 7:24). The silver and gold, as well as articles of bronze and iron were to go into the treasury of God. The individual Hebrew could not claim any of the bounty--it belonged to Jehovah.

Joshua sent men to capture the city of Ai. The army was defeated and several of the soldiers were killed. The text states, "...so the hearts of the people melted and became as water"(7:5). The defeat caused Joshua to tear "his clothes" and fall "to the earth on his face before the ark of the Lord until evening"(7:6). The elders, in penitence, "put dust on their heads"(a sign of deep humiliation).

The Lord informs Joshua that there was sin in the camp(7:11). Some of those items that were under the "ban" had been stolen and "put among their own things"(7:11). The Lord instructed that each tribe was to appear so that the guilty party could be identified and punished by being "burned with fire"(7:15). The transgression of Achan was a "disgraceful thing in Israel." The offenders were stoned and burned with fire.

The events of this day would be remembered by being known in the future as the "valley of Achor." Literally, it is "the valley of trouble." The Israelites, throughout their history, had many valleys of trouble. Surely we can learn lessons from their experiences and the difficulties they brought upon themselves.

All people, including Christians, have valleys of trouble in their own lives. Most of these valleys are dug by our own attitudes and mistakes that interfere with how one lives as a disciple. Learning to recognize those valleys and deal with them as a child of God is a continuing challenge to each one of us. It is easy to give in when problems arise in our lives-- even to the point that we sometimes just give up and no longer walk as a child of God. There is not, however, any problem that arises in our daily lives that cannot be dealt with when we trust in the Lord and rely upon Him to help us solve our difficulties.

There are some who have a "valley of trouble" when it comes to living a righteous life. Satan knows how to "trouble" those who are Christians: it is through his temptations. Knowing the weaknesses of mankind, he persuades disciples that there is nothing wrong in such sins as drinking, carousing, gambling, cursing, fornicating, cheating, nakedness, using drugs and a myriad of other sins. After all, "everybody does it." Such is nothing more than one of the lies of the devil. Everybody is not doing it: there is a great host of Christians that do not involve themselves in the common sins that infect our society. Such disciples seek to stay out of trouble by living a life of dedication to the Lord and His way.

There are many who live in a "valley of trouble" when it comes to marriage and divorce. Our age is saturated with those who have ignored and violated the simple instructions of God in regard to these matters. It is not difficult to understand that God intended for one man to marry one woman for life(Genesis 2:24--the Lord did not create a harem!). In the event of the death of one, the other is free to marry someone who has the right to be married. If one of the mates commits adultery, the innocent party has the right to divorce the fornicator and be free to marry one who has the right to be married. This valley of trouble could be avoided if all followed the Lord's instructions!

On occasions, contentious individuals in congregations have created valleys of trouble. Wanting to have their own way, they continually create an atmosphere that disrupts the peace and unity in the congregation. Do not misunderstand: if a disciple finds something that is unscriptural occurring, it is right to speak up and point out what the book of God has to say about such. On the other hand, one's peculiarities in regard to various questions can create a "valley of trouble" that results in hard feelings and even divisions. Is it common practice that if I have a disagreement with brethren in a local church that I am given liberty to start another church because they did not agree with my own personal judgment? Oh, how many have created a valley of trouble, not on a scriptural basis, but because of a clash in regard to personalities or personal opinions? How sad that brethren cannot act like disciples and solve their differences in a valley of righteousness.

Each person can create his own valley. It can be a valley of happiness and peace. Or, it can be a miserable rut of ungodliness, unkindness, distrust, and irreverence. What kind of valley have you developed for yourself?

If your faith has cost you little or nothing, you may have a problem with your faith. Throughout history, the Lord's people have been called upon to sacrifice. The apostle Paul knew sacrifice in his own life. Think: Jehovah sacrificed His Son. His Son sacrificed his own life for every sinner that has ever lived on this earth. What have I sacrificed in serving the Lord who paid such a price?

A hobby is something that one does in his/her pastime. The worship and service of the Lord is not a pastime in one's life, but, in fact, is the central focus each day. Do not treat righteous living as a hobby; do not treat the services of the Lord as a hobby; do not treat the study of the word of God as a pastime activity. Remember always the words of Christ, "But seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you"(Matthew 6:33).

The Lord's church is a not a community service organization. She is a spiritual body over which Christ rules through His word. To turn the church of the Lord into a social organization that seeks to be foremost in serving the community through socials and like activities, is to prostitute the church of the living God.