Scripture Passage
Scripture Focus
“My son, give glory to the LORD, the God of Israel, by telling the truth.” (Joshua 7:19 NLT)
Observation
Today my attention is captured by a somewhat enigmatic phrase from Joshua 7—a phrase, I’ll confess, that I have enjoyed for years.
An Israelite named Achan is in the hot seat. He has taken for himself things “sacred to the Lord” (Joshua 6:19)—he’s stolen from God—and he’s being called to fess up regarding this violation of his covenant relationship with God.
But Joshua’s charge is not just “fess up”…”spill the beans”…or ”come clean.” It’s more than that. I especially enjoy this verse from the NIV—"My son, give glory to the LORD, the God of Israel, and give him the praise” (Joshua 7:19 NIV).
This solemn charge to tell the truth is couched in language usually reserved for exhorting congregations towards corporate praise—“give glory to the Lord…give him the praise!” It’s language we reserve for church services and prayer meetings. But here it is a challenge to honest communication…to transparent living…in the rough and tumble of the day-to-day existence.
That a challenge to “tell the truth” is couched in terms of “giving glory to the Lord” reminds me that a life that brings glory to God is not limited to spouting religious-sounding words in a corporate worship setting. Rather, a life that brings glory to God is one lived in integrity in every setting and every context. It is a life of honesty and transparency…of being upfront and genuine…a life free from pretense, manipulation, or deceitful maneuverings.
Of course, the Scriptures are full of exhortations to this kind of honesty and transparency in relationship. “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer,” writes the psalmist (Psalm 19:14 KJV). “Each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body,” writes the Apostle Paul (Ephesians 4:25 NIV).
So let it be so in my life, Lord—that in every circumstance I “…give glory to the LORD, the God of Israel, by telling the truth.”
2 comments:
14 So the Israelites examined their food, but they did not consult the Lord.
This is the passage that really got my attention today. How many times do we reason and lean on our own understanding instead of consulting the Lord?? What they saw with their eyes and heard with their ears made sense in their own reasoning. I want to acknowledge the Lord in ALL my ways instead of leaning on my own understanding. His ways are higher then ours and only He knows truth and what is best!
Wait...wait...wait....
You're jumpin' the gun on tomorrow's post...stealin' my thunder! :) :) :)
Post a Comment