Paul writes, “I don’t understand my own behavior – I don’t do what I want to do; instead, I do the very thing I hate!” (Romans 7:15, Complete Jewish Bible) I want to shout, ME TOO PAUL! After seeking forgiveness, there is often an extended period of time in which we ‘beat ourselves up’ about our choices, and have difficulty forgiving ourselves. This can hinder our relationship with God and cause unnecessary angst about our worthiness to be called a child of God. Worthiness is not a factor as “all have sinned and come short of earning God’s praise” (Romans 3:23, Complete Jewish Bible). I want to highlight four men of God that the Bible makes clear were called by God, followed His direction, and yet struggled at times.
Joshua was called by God to lead a new generation of Israelites out of the wilderness and into the promise land. He orchestrated the fall of Jericho, no small miracle, and the Bible makes it clear he loved God. There was a time when the people that inhabited the land God promised the Israelites became afraid and devised a plan to trick Joshua and his men into making a covenant with the very people God instructed the Israelites to eradicate.
“But when the inhabitants of Gibeon learned how Joshua had treated Jericho and Ai, they for their part resorted to cunning…And so they went to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal and said to him and to the men of Israel, “We come from a distant land; we propose that you make a pact with us.”
“So our elders and all the inhabitants of our country instructed us as follows, ‘Take along provisions for a trip, and go to them and say: We will be your subjects; come make a pact with us.’ This bread of ours, which we took from our houses as provision, was still hot when we set out to come to you; and see how dry and crumbly it has become. These wineskins were new when we filled them, and see how they have cracked. These clothes and sandals of ours are worn out from the very long journey.” The men took [their word] because of their provisions, and did not inquire of the Lord. Joshua established friendship with them; he made a pact with them to spare their lives, and the chieftains of the community gave them their oath. But when three days had passed after they made this pact with them, they learned that they were neighbors, living among them.” (Joshua 9:3-6, 11-16, Tanakh)
This seems like a pretty significant mistake given God had instructed the Israelites to annihilate all foreign peoples and kings, including the Hivites. Following this impactful mistake on the part of Joshua, God did not turn his back on him, and continued to bless him as the leader of the Israelite nation.
We fail. Often. Sometimes more significantly, with more severe consequences than other times.
“But now, quite apart from Torah, God’s way of making people righteous in his sight has been made clear – although the Torah and the Prophets give their witness to it as well – and it is a righteousness that comes from God, through the faithfulness of Yeshua the Messiah, to all who continue trusting. For it makes no difference whether one is a Jew or a Gentile, since all have sinned and come short of earning God’s praise.” (Romans 3:21-23, Complete Jewish Bible)
Our failures, along with sincere repentance, allow for continued fellowship with God.
Next…David