Pastor Bell's Words To Live By

I shall not bow

Sometimes our stubbornness leads us to justify our inability to listen to wise counsel. We want things to occur our way and if it does not then we rebel. This is at the heart of the human problem. We are given clear instructions by our creator, but because we cannot see the next step we rebel and do things our own way.

This is why the Gilgal experience is so vital. It is here that we learn to develop that trust that will bring us great success. Although my way may seem good and proper, it may not bring the best result now. In the camp at Gilgal there were many people who would have questioned the strategy to march around a city to conquer it, when all the necessary resources were at their disposal and the inhabitants of the city were terrified of them (Joshua 5:1). God had already told Joshua that he had given the land into his hands.

The lesson for us today is to learn to stay in step with what God is working out. Disobedience leads to rebellion which is ‘witchcraft’. Our minds have been sullied by the popular press who present witchcraft, Wicca and wizardry as a benign art practiced by old men and women and innocent boys and girls dressed in black riding on broom sticks or performing tricks. From a scriptural perspective, all rebellion is witchcraft, that is, the person practicing it is operating in rebellion, like Lucifer (Isa 14:12), Jezebel (1Kings 16:31) and Bar-Jesus the sorcerer (Acts 13:6ff). A rebellious person goes against the vision and command of their leader. This creates di-vision. This is at the root of rebellion.

We see this after the great success of Jericho. Everyone is instructed what spoils they can and cannot take, however Achan rebels against this and hides clothes and jewellery in is tent. This act of disobedience causes the death of 36 of his fellowmen and eventually causes his whole family to be wiped out.

So if we as soldiers want to succeed in whatever God has called us to do, let us practice the art of obedience. Saul lost his throne at Gilgal because of disobedience. Thank God for Jesus who rescued all of us when he sacrificed his life for us at Gilgal!

Read Joshua 7