Interference

January 9, 2015
Bible in a year: Joshua 6-10

Devotional passage: Joshua 7:11-12 NRSV

"Israel has sinned; they have transgressed my covenant that I imposed on them. They have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen, they have acted deceitfully, and they have put them among their own belongings. Therefore the Israelites are unable to stand before their enemies; they turn their backs to their enemies, because they have become a thing devoted for destruction themselves. I will be with you no more, unless you destroy the devoted things from among you."

This passage follows Joshua's lament after losing the battle at Ai. He was directed by God to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land, but some had disobeyed the God by taking items belonging in the treasury of the Lord.

There are inevitably times in our lives when the Lord's voice seems to disappear. It may be because we get busy and distracted with what is happening day to day and simply fail to listen for God within the noise. But, sometimes we listen in the silence, praying and pleading for direction and comfort from God and only the silence rings in our ears.

Joshua faced this silence in the face of a battle he expected to win. He thought God was on the side of the Israelites as he attacked Ai, but warriors were lost and they were forced to retreat in fear and shame. Joshua didn't understand.

The Lord tells Joshua that they will be alone until they right their wrong. Some among them had stolen loot from one of the battles that was only to go into the treasury of the Lord. This act of greed and thievery was interfering with God's relationship with Israel.

When God seems silent in spite of our seeking we must consider what might be interfering with our relationship with God. I'm not suggesting that the Lord no longer hear us and our prayers, but perhaps like the ill-gotten goods of the Israelites, we are harboring things around us that prevent us from hearing God; things like resentment, greed, or indifference to those in need. Maybe we are ignoring God's directive to us and must find a way to reestablish our connection if we want a rich relationship with God that is full of communication.

If God seems silent in your life, listen first through prayer. Then, reflect on what in your life might be separating you from your Lord and make the changes that need to be made.

Sustaining God, we hunger for a deep relationship with you and want to hear your voice. Please help us to see those things in our lives which separate us from you and guide us to do your will. In Christ Jesus we pray, amen.