What steps can we take to ensure God's presence in our endeavors? Scripture Foundation: Joshua 7:4 “So about three thousand men went up, but they fled before the men of Ai.” Israel’s surprising defeat exposed a hidden breach of covenant. The lesson echoes through every generation: God’s presence rests on obedience, not on human strength or numbers. Recognize the Danger of Presumption • Israel assumed prior victories guaranteed future success. • 1 Corinthians 10:12 warns, “So the one who thinks he is standing firm should be careful not to fall.” • Step one: refuse to take God’s favor for granted; seek Him afresh for every endeavor. Pursue Transparent Obedience • The concealed sin of Achan (Joshua 7:20-21) halted the entire nation. • Psalm 66:18: “If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.” • Practical choices: – Examine motives before launching plans. – Invite the Spirit to spotlight hidden compromise. – Remove anything God’s Word calls sin; half-hearted repentance still blocks blessing. Seek God’s Guidance Before Acting • Joshua sent spies but never sought the LORD (Joshua 7:2-3). • Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart… He will make your paths straight.” • Build prayer and Scripture into planning sessions: – Ask, “Does this align with His revealed will?” – Wait until peace replaces restlessness (Philippians 4:6-7). Maintain Corporate and Personal Holiness • Achan’s sin affected the entire community. • Hebrews 12:15 cautions about any “root of bitterness” defiling many. • Actions that keep holiness front-and-center: – Mutual accountability within families, teams, congregations. – Regular communion and remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice (1 Corinthians 11:28). – Prompt discipline and restoration when sin surfaces (Galatians 6:1). Walk in Dependence, Not Numbers • Israel trusted 3,000 soldiers; Jesus said, “Apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5) • Evaluate every resource—finances, manpower, technology—through the lens of dependence on God. • Invite Him to assign the strategy and the scale (Judges 7:2). Celebrate Restoration Through Confession and Renewal • Once sin was judged, the LORD declared, “Do not fear or be dismayed.” (Joshua 8:1) • 1 John 1:9 promises cleansing and restored fellowship. • After confessing: – Re-embrace God’s mission with confidence. – Mark the victory with gratitude (Psalm 30:11-12). Putting It All Together To ensure God’s presence in our endeavors: 1. Approach every new task humbly, never presuming on past triumphs. 2. Keep short accounts—confess sin swiftly and thoroughly. 3. Seek God’s specific direction through prayer and the Word. 4. Cultivate holiness personally and corporately. 5. Lean on God’s power, not human resources. 6. When failure reveals hidden issues, respond with repentance and renewed obedience. Following these steps transforms ordinary efforts into arenas where God’s presence, favor, and victory are unmistakably displayed. |
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