Altars of Thanks

Joshua 8:30-33 - Then Joshua built on Mount Ebal an altar to the LORD, the God of Israel, as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded the Israelites. He built it according to what is written in the Book of the Law of Moses--an altar of uncut stones, on which no iron tool had been used. On it they offered to the LORD burnt offerings and sacrificed fellowship offerings. There, in the presence of the Israelites, Joshua copied on stones the law of Moses, which he had written. All Israel, aliens and citizens alike, with their elders, officials and judges, were standing on both sides of the ark of the covenant of the LORD, facing those who carried it--the priests, who were Levites. Half of the people stood in front of Mount Gerizim and half of them in front of Mount Ebal, as Moses the servant of the LORD had formerly commanded when he gave instructions to bless the people of Israel.

 

Once they had put the sin out of their camp…God told Joshua to go back to Ai…and take it.  It was a mighty victory…for God had given Joshua a clever battle plan…and even allowed the Israelites to plunder the town…and keep the loot for themselves this time. Joshua was so overwhelmed with God’s blessings from the victory…that he stopped and gave thanks…as his predecessor Moses had once told him to do.  And in the presence of all the people...he built an altar of uncut stones…inscribed the ten basic laws on them…offered sacrifices to God…and reread the laws God had given Moses.

 

It just goes to demonstrate what can happen when we relinquish the worries of life to God and accept the victories in our lives he wants to give us. When we put away the sin that Satan locks himself to in our lives…and allow God to cleanse it from our existence…he cannot only give us victory…but bless us beyond our wildest dreams as well. It’s just like the story Matthew recorded for us in Matthew 6…when Jesus told us in person that our worries do not change a thing about tomorrow. He said, “If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'  For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”  There it is…in Joshua and Matthew…God wants to bless us…if we seek him first….and remove the sin that Satan tracks us with.

 

And when the blessings flow into our lives…we need to stop and give thanks.  Just like Joshua...we need to stop and give thanks to the God that gave us the victory. Joshua did not stop at just a simple thanks.  He built an altar…and inscribed on it the 10 laws God gave Moses….and reread the whole book of law to the people God had given him to lead. What a church service they must have had that day…as they celebrated a time when they listened to God… and received a mighty blessing…and renewed the knowledge of the laws they were to follow…so sin could be kept out of the camp in the future.  And what a reminder that we need to constantly stop and give thanks to God for all our victories and blessings…and reread the word he left us to live our lives by…so we can know how to have victory over Satan the next time he comes to us with a sweet sounding deal.

 

Father…I thank you for this reminder that you are completely in control. Thank you for the simple words of Joshua that show me to rid my life of all sin so you can give me victory over the tricks of Satan here on Earth.  Help me remember to always stop when you bless me …and thank you...with my voice….with my actions…with everything you have given me.  Show me how to share every blessing with others…so they can see your love. Amen.