Jesus was in like manner tempted in the way that we are today. In fact, Jesus faced constant criticism and even condemnation from religious leaders. The religious leaders of Jesus’s time were so offended by him that they did not stop until they found an excuse to kill him. My father often says that if you don’t want people to criticise you, then don’t do anything of significance. People very seldom criticise people who aren’t doing anything important.

James said that we should count it all Joy when we meet trials of different kinds. “Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace]” (James 1:2-3). Other versions say that when our faith is tested, it leads to patience or perseverance. Imagine that being tested can lead to developing inner peace? I believe that trials submitted to God, leads to peace and endurance. This is as the Holy Spirit works to renew our minds and provides comfort and assurance. Criticism is a form of persecution especially when people criticise those things that are of significance to us.

There are a few things that we need to consider when we are criticised. (1) Who is the person levying the criticism and do they have the strength of character to criticise you? In other words, we should place greater emphasis on the words of people who are significant to us and those people who we respect. (2) Is there any truth to the criticism and can you benefit from reflecting on what was said? (3) What is the aim of the critique? (4) Was the person offering the critique trying to hurt your feelings or were they aiming to help you?

The reality is that we will not go through life without being criticised by someone. I believe that when you are doing anything of significance, then this is likely to attract criticism. We have to gain our significance and our sense of self from God and what his word says about us. When we are secure in the love of God, then what other people say will not be as important.

A.P.-Y.

After Isreal’s victory against Jericho, they decided to go to battle against a smaller city called Ai. Joshua sent men to spy out the land and they came back and told him that the people were few. They did not feel that the entire army needed to go against this city in battle. “So about three thousand men went up there from the people. And they fled before the men of Ai” (Joshua 7:4). The army of Isreal were surprised as they were attacked, thirty six of their men were killed and they were chased from the city. The hearts of the people were distressed and Joshua tore his clothes and fell on his face before the ark of the Lord. He had questions for God and asked why he had brought this defeat upon them. Joshua was worried that the other inhabitants would hear about their defeat and come out against them.

“The Lord said to Joshua, “Get up! Why have you fallen on your face” (Joshua 7:10)? He told Joshua that they had sinned, transgressed his covenant and taken some of the devoted things, had lied and stolen. Given Isreal’s state of rebellion, they could not stand before their enemies and needed to remove the accursed thing from among them. God commanded Joshua to consecrate the people and bring all of them together, so that they could be separated by tribes, clans and household to identify who had done wrong. Once God separated the person who had taken the devoted thing, he and everything that he had should be burnt by fire. When Joshua brought the people and separated the tribes, the lot fell on Achan, from the tribe of Judah.

“Then Joshua said to Achan, “My son, give glory to the Lord God of Israel and give praise to him. And tell me now what you have done; do not hide it from me”” (Joshua 7:19). Achan confessed that he had stolen precious clothing, 200 shekels of silver and a bar of gold weighing 50 shekels. He had buried the items in his tent and when Joshua sent men to his tent, they found the items. Achan was taken with all of his possessions and his family, to the valley of Achor and he was stoned to death. They were then burned with fire and a heap of stones was placed over them. Once this was done, the anger of the Lord was turned from the people of Isreal. God then gave Joshua a strategy to defeat Ai, by drawing them away from their city and setting an ambush against them.

After their victory in Ai, Joshua built an altar, offered sacrifices and read the laws of Moses. He renewed the covenant between God and the people, before the ark of the Lord. It is possible that the victory which Isreal gained over Jericho, may have caused them to become slightly overconfident. I wonder if Joshua had spent time to seek God for a strategy against Ai, if he would have learnt about the accursed thing among them. Perhaps then he could have done the separation, consecration and cleansing before going into another battle. In that way, he would have spared the lives of his people and the defeat which they experienced. Nevertheless, once they lost, he sought the Lord and learnt what caused the defeat. He made restitution and then consecrated the people. After this, the people had victory and then renewed their covenant to the Lord.

“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations” (Deuteronomy 7:9).

A.P.-Y.

Earlier in Joshua 3, God commanded the levites to carry the ark of the Covenant on their shoulders and enter the Jordan ahead of the people. Once the feet of the Priests bearing the ark touched the Jordan, the waters stopped flowing and became a heep very far away. Joshua commanded the people to select twelve men from each tribe. After they crossed the Jordan, he commanded the twelve men to take twelve stones from the river. The stones were to serve as a memorial for future generations of when the Jordan river was cut off, when the ark of the covenant of God entered it. The number twelve has biblical significance regarding the perfection and authority of God’s kingdom. Joshua placed the stones on a heap in the Jordan where the priests stood, until all of the tribes crossed to the other side.

The tribes went over the Jordan, equipped for war and three of the tribes, the Reubenites, Gadites and half the tribe of Manasseh, went ahead of Isreal in battle formation. This was to fulfil a promise which they made to Moses in Numbers 32, after he agreed to allow them to settle in Gilead. These lands beyond the Jordan had been dispossessed by Isreal. These three tribes asked Moses to allow them to settle in this land, because they had plenty of livestock and the land was suitable for them. Moses wasn’t in agreement originally, as he was concerned that their stopping to settle would discourage the other tribes from crossing over. They promised Moses that they would settle their livestock and younger children. After this, they were willing to arm themselves and go ahead of the army to help them to possess the land beyond the Jordan.

“We will not return to our homes until each of the Israelites has taken possession of his inheritance” (Numbers 32:18). Although these tribes had nothing to gain from the territory beyond the Jordan, they were willing to go ahead of the army to fight for their possession. Their actions were part of keeping their covenant to Moses, God and the people. Battle formation refers to military tactics which includes the way that an army organises their forces or warriors near enemy territory. The day after they crossed the Jordan, God commanded Joshua to circumcise the army. The men who left Egypt, except for Joshua and Caleb all died in the wilderness. This new generation of men were not among those who were circumcised after the exodus. This act of circumcising was for consecration and renewing of their covenant with God.

After their circumcision, God confirmed to Joshua that the reproach of Isreal was rolled away. They also observed the Passover, then ate the produce of the land and the manna stopped the next day. After these observances, Joshua saw the angel of the Lord who is the commander of God’s army. Alongside the physical army of soldiers who would go forward to possess the land, there were angels dispatched to fight. While Joshua was the commander of Isreal’s army, he met the commander of God’s invisible army of angels, who would guarantee them victory over Jericho and the other nations. A few things can be observed from their proceed into the promised land. The priests with the ark of the covenants created a pathway through the sea and the three tribes who were already settled, went ahead of the army. The people consecrated themselves, renewed their covenants and then God’s army and commander joined them to lead the battle.

“Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle” (Psalm 144:1).

A.P.-Y.

In Matthew 12, Jesus commissioned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to drive them out and gave them power to heal diseases and sicknesses. He gave them instructions about the areas to go to preach and warned them that they would be persecuted. “Look, I’m sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as serpents and as innocent as doves” (Matthew 10:16). He told them that they would be flogged, thrown out of synagogues and brought before rulers to be judged. His admonition was to fear God and not men because men may destroy the body, but God can destroy both the body and soul in hell. Jesus said that anyone who is willing to acknowledge him before others, he will acknowledge in heaven. He also said that anyone who welcomed the disciples, were welcoming him as they were sent by him.

Jesus then said that anyone who received a preacher or a prophet, would receive the prophet’s reward. The prophet’s reward is salvation, as receiving the minister of God is to receive his message and the grace which follows him. Jesus also said that peace would enter with the disciples into any house that received them. The opposite would be that their peace would leave with them, from the houses where they were turned away. We saw other people in the Old Testament being rewarded for receiving prophets. There was a rich woman who lived in Shunem, who showed hospitality to Elisha whenever he visited. At first she would invite him to have a meal with her and her husband and eventually, she told her husband that she wanted to build a room for Elisha. “Then she said to her husband, “I know that the one who often passes by here is a holy man of God” (2 Kings 4:9).

Her husband agreed and she built the room so that Elisha had somewhere to stay, when he was in Shunem. One day when he visited, Elisha told his servant to ask the lady what he could do for her. This was in return for all the good that she had done for him. He thought that perhaps he could speak to the king or the army commander to put in a good word for her. The lady declined as she felt that she had all that she needed. Elisha did not relent and asked his servant to consider what he could do for her lady. His servant mentioned that she did not have a son and her husband was old. “Elisha said, “At this time next year you will have a son in your arms.” Then she said, “No, my Lord. Man of God, do not lie to your servant”” (2 Kings 4:16). The woman conceived and gave birth to a son the next year.

Elisha maintained a relationship with the woman, that a few years later when her son collapsed and died, she summoned the prophet. He prayed and the boy was restored to life. In this story, this woman who was wealthy, was able to discern the anointing that rested on Elisha. Her discernment led her to bless the prophet and to build a relationship with him. The prophet was moved by her giving and despite her reluctance, prophesied that God would bless her with a child. The child was born just like Elisha said and when death tried to take him, the woman went back to Elisha for help. He prayed to God who restored her son, so that she lived a life of miraculous encounters. Doing good for the people of God has a reward. This is not reserved for prophets or apostles, but for anyone who is doing the will of God.

“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us work for the good of all, especially for those who belong to the household of faith”(Galatians 6:10).

A.P.-Y.

My husband – Andrew Christopher Young (ACY) released a Jazz album today. The songs can be downloaded on all major platforms in a few days.

https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/acyorgantrio/jazzin-the-spirit

You can listen to samples of his music below as part of the pre-release.

A.P.-Y.

Yesterday we explored the grave mistake that David made, which led to a married woman becoming pregnant and the death of her husband. For most people, murder is one of the most depraved crimes that a person could commit. Within the context of bible history, people died quite frequently and soldiers anticipated that death was a possible consequence of battle. In the New Testament, Saul was a zealous Roman soldier who fiercely persecuted the church and sanctioned the murder of disciples.

On his way to Damascus with an order to arrest and persecute anyone who believed and proclaimed Jesus Christ, Saul was struck down by a light. “And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me” (Acts 9:4)? Saul lost his sight and was led to a disciple to lay hands on him for his sight to be restored. Soon after Paul’s conversation, he went to the synagogues to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul joined the disciples who he once prosecuted in advancing the kingdom of God. He was a very instrumental disciple who wrote much of the the New Testament which we read today.

I have used two extreme examples of men who committed grave crimes against others and against God. Yet God forgave them once they confessed their sins and turned from their wrongs. David has been referred to as ‘a man after God’s own heart’ (1 Samuel 13:14). If God can forgive murder, adultery and persecution, please tell me what you have done that is too terrible for God to forgive? Guilt and shame are weapons that the enemy uses to keep us from a relationship with God.

The devil is good at convincing us that our sins are too many, or our mistakes too great for God to use them for his glory. God can use even our mistakes and turn them around for good. David eventually had another son with Uriah’s wife who succeeded him as King. Although the marriage was initially founded on a bad foundation, God used it for his glory. Paul who was zealous about persecuting the church became a powerful apostle and evangelist. God used his zeal to advance the kingdom and to reach souls. Even our biggest mistakes, surrendered to God, can be transformed into a miracle.

Stop allowing the devil to torment you about your mistakes and do not allow it to make you stay away from God. Confess your faults to God, ask for his forgiveness and stop punishing yourself for the mistake that you made. God has removed your sins far away into the depths of the sea and he calls you his righteousness.

A.P.-Y.

There is a really sad story in 2 Samuel 11, of David who slept with Uriah’s wife Bathsheba. When she became pregnant and David could not succeed in convincing Uriah to sleep with her to cover it up, he had him killed in battle. David then married Bathsheba and he perceived that no one knew what he had done. God revealed David’s sin to the prophet Nathan who confronted him about it. The consequence of David’s sin was that the son that Bathsheba bore to him died. David lamented in prayer and fasting before God to ask him to save the child. After the child died, David washed and anointed himself and went to the house of the Lord to worship.

David’s actions confused his servants as they did not understand how he could spend time in worship after losing his son. He did not blame God because he knew that his son’s death was the consequence of his sin. Nevertheless, David did not allow his mistake to separate him from the presence of God. He sought God to see if he would spare the child and even after the child died, he worshipped God. This showed that David understood the need for repentance and restitution. He knew enough to know that once he repented, that God would restore him in right standing.

This is why David said in Psalm 51, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise” (Psalm 51:17). God sees our heart and he knows when we are truly sorry for our sins. We don’t need to wallow in self pity, guilt and shame any longer than necessary. Once we have acknowledged our sin, we make restitution where possible, confess our sins to God and rest in his forgiveness. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

If you feel weighed down by guilt and shame due to making a mistake, confess to God your faults and failures. Repent of your sins and accept God’s forgiveness because God says that you are forgiven. “for the righteous falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity” (Proverbs 24:16).

A.P.-Y.

Jesus shared the parable of the return of the unclean spirit. He shared that when an unclean spirit is driven out of a person, it passes through waterless places trying to find rest, but does not find it. The unclean spirit decided to return to the place where it came from. When it returned, it found the house empty, swept and put in order. “Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation” (Matthew 12:45).

Jesus addressed this parable to a crowd of Jews, which included the Pharisees who accused him of casting out demons by Beelzebub, the prince of demons. He responded to them saying, that any kingdom that is divided against itself cannot stand. “And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand” (Matthew 12:26)? Jesus seemed to share the parable regarding the return of the unclean spirits, in response to the reception from the crowd. He was despondent that in his own city of Jerusalem, so many signs and wonders had been performed, yet the people did not believe and receive him.

The consideration would have been for the state of that city, which had rejected the message of salvation. Earlier in Matthew 11, Jesus denounced cities where the most mighty works had been done who did not repent. The lack of repentance and acceptance of the Holy Spirit, would leave those cities empty and allow for evil spirits to return. This would cause those cities to be worst off than before, when the evil spirit returned with seven other spirits more evil than itself.

We have to maintain a relationship with God and remain full of the Holy Spirit. By the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, the presence of God abides in us. Our lives within the cities and communities where we live, should create a free flow of the presence of God. We pray for our cities and places of employment in order that the kingdom of God can be established. “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil” (Ephesians‬ ‭6:11‬).

A.P.-Y.