Tuesday, September 12 – Joshua 5:6-7

For the sons of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness, until all the nation, that is, the men of war who came out of Egypt, perished because they did not listen to the voice of the Lord, to whom the Lord had sworn that He would not let them see the land which the Lord had sworn to their fathers to give us, a land flowing with milk and honey. So their children whom He raised up in their place, Joshua circumcised; for they were uncircumcised, because they had not circumcised them along the way.

It is easy to make excuses for disobedience. We may say “I forgot,” “I didn’t have the time,” or more directly, “I didn’t want to.” Even in following God and His direction, there was still a major instruction from God the Israelites did not follow. They did not continue with circumcision as their people had done historically. Over time, as the next generation was raised up, they stopped marking themselves in this way as people set apart by God. This was important because to miss being set apart by God was to miss their identity altogether. Their actions could be grand and impressive but without being marked as His people, they remained in disobedience.

When we disobey God, we often try to downplay the gravity. We say, “It’s not that big of a deal.” Yet, in Christ, disobedience is a major deal because it misses our identity as God’s people. When we follow Jesus, we surrender to Him as Lord of our lives; we become His children; and we are to represent His heart. Living in Christ means submitting to His ways over ours, seeking His heart, and living transformed by His Spirit. When we face opportunities for obedience and see apathy or outright rebellion in our hearts, we can repent and recommit ourselves to the Lord once again. He is gracious and He will draw us back, reminding us of our identity in Him.

• When have you recently disobeyed God? Where might you have opportunity to make this right?
• Why is it important to remind yourself of your identity in Christ when you face temptation?
• Pray and ask God to transform your heart, opening your eyes to areas of disobedience you may have been overlooking along the way.