Mankind is so fickle. We're tossed back and forth by the waves. One minute we're praising God and following His plan, and the next minute we're irritated because someone cut us off in traffic.
At the end of Joshua, all of the Israelites are saying, "We love Yahweh, and we're committed to whatever He wants. We will obey." Yeah, sure. I've heard this story before. Over and over and over. Only two chapters later, what do we see? The Israelites failed to drive out the native pagans, and they became a snare to the Israelites. Soon the Israelites were intermarrying and even worshipping idols. How does it go to pot so quickly?
Moral entropy. Sinful nature. Perfect continuous obedience to Christ is like the ideal thermodynamic reversible process; it's even sort of like a perpetual motion machine. When we have faith, that leads us to obedience. Obedience grows our faith, and the cycle continues. However, sin is the moral equivalent of thermodynamic irreversibility. Once you've wasted that energy - it's gone, never to be recovered.
The amazing thing is that God is gracious. In Him we find the paradox of simultaneous perfect justice and infinite mercy. Even though we are almost constantly losing spiritual "energy and momentum" due to spiritual "friction", God is like an external power source that keeps filling us with His love and grace.
Here's the deal - we've got to be on our guard against the slow, subtle attacks of the enemy. Otherwise, we'll end up like the Israelites in a state of lawlessness - reaping the consequences of sowing disobedience. This is another reason why it is imperative that we pray and read the Scriptures daily; we've got to stay connected to the source of infinite spiritual power.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I pray that you will help me stay committed to you. Please forgive me for not obeying you completely in all of the little details throughout the day. Lord, please guide me and be near me. You are my salvation; in you I am rescued. I pray that you will help me keep momentum in this quest of sanctification. I pray this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Heavenly Father, I pray that you will help me stay committed to you. Please forgive me for not obeying you completely in all of the little details throughout the day. Lord, please guide me and be near me. You are my salvation; in you I am rescued. I pray that you will help me keep momentum in this quest of sanctification. I pray this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
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