Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-12-13
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NlA Up Keb. .Rugb a. Stebenson


was not invulnerable. An oriental army
lacks the spirit that Napoleon once said
the English army possessed OF not know
ing when 1t was beaten. Israel and the
armies OF Canaan would all be affected By
the repulsing of Israel at Al.
We ought 10 grieve more for our per
sonal sins than for the results that now
from our sin. As Myers tells us I'VE
dread the consequences of sin more thar
the sin itself; discovery more than mis-
uoing; what others may say or do nor.
than the look OF pain and sorrow on tn.
face that looks out on US from the en-
circiing throng of glorified spirits
Achan had suffered intensely for his help
ing himself 10 the beautiful Babylonian
outer garment OF Shinar goods which
We're noted for their fine texture and rich
embroidery. the silver and the ingot o.
gold stamped into the shape OF tongue
Our golden text lays down one OF the
foundation facts Of life when il tells us
De sure your sin viii find You out sir
which makes towards of us all. ALWAYS
nnds US out, for long before the world
comes TO know our iniquity We are con-
scious of our own sim
Achan had sinned so that when be
saw the defeat Of Israers army he COM
menced accusing himself for its failure
III ne could have seen the outcome of his
SIN when he entered Jericho. Achan would
nave overcome the temptation by seeking
divine help. instead of his being baffied
ways. as In this case, progressive Acha,,
mas told US how first he saw, then covet-
ed. and finally took the goods that God
demanded for His own use. We ought
20 frequently stop and see IL there may
be In US any OF this spirit which is the
source OF the sin that We are afraid to
mention
If We stop to examine the retreat or
the Christian forces before the infiowinS
tioe OF immigration that is changing the
"a DIV
have neglected to give them the gospel OF
CHRIST that would have TRANSFORMED
them into living epstles of our risefa
Lord and Savior and made them thor
ough Americans. We will find that, like
Achan. We have been Influenced by ouy.
love for gold instead Of God. of money
IN preference to men. so that We have
bowed down TO the service of the NAM
mon of unrighteousness.
The reports OF our missionaries unon
the firing line of tie battle for the I'd
vancement of the Masters kingdom tell
now they have been winning the greatest
victories of all history by the simple pres-
entation of the gospel backed up by lives
OF absolute obedience to the direction OF
our Lord The same message thar has
thrilled the hearts of all mankind IL pro-
claimed in faith and fidelity. would cause
us to triumph here at home. We would
nave won many battles here in the home
land had We not been disobedient to the
high calling of God in Christ Jesus nv
allowing money to mold and master our
conduct. community and church life
The covetous spirit does not require that
We should possess great sums OF money
Tor frequently We will find that the love
or money is the cancer that DESTROYS The
poor as well as the wealthy i'm Their
spiritual life and labor Its corrupting
influence has been seen in all ages OF
the world. We are all in danger of SUI
ferfng from 1t because the atmosphere
in which we live is charged with its
subtle poison
Maclaren suggests that If we went and
fell upon our faces before the ark OF the
Lord when we are beaten in the con
fticts OF life we. too would be directed
to some tent where a Very influential
member lived. and we would find that bv
ending his ecclesiastical life the army
OF the Lord would once more become fili-
ed with the courage and confidence thai
brings success to all efforts where there
is a realization of Their absolute depend
ence upon God for victory. Every fail
ure can under Gods leasing point tn.
10 success GU, heavenly Fa-
Their has 2 lesson - teach rs in ALI N
our defeats Israel learned at Al that
obedience to Jehovah was he only wav
they could conquer Canaan. We need 10
hearts. for we. too. must purge orr own
lives from sin and punish the sinner r.
We are 10 triumph.
1srael's failure was due to the sin OF
hat caused them to detect the sin and
destroy Achan and his family 50 as 10
preserve Israel from pollution and kee?
he presence of God among them. II il
rue today that He will not dwell whera
there is a divided life. 1T is only the
and concentrated life tina
wins in the worlds battles for the Lord
Of hosts. Sin is sporadic and ne mus
20 back 10 the source. as Joshua did. AMI
eradicate IL completely. for If we are t.
Keep our characters clean we must see
o il that our hearts are filed with love
or Christ. His church, and Christians
If every land for ''out of thu heart is
he issues of life
James tells US that 1.-The wages Of sin
s death. Achan and the members OF
lis family. who must have known how
lie hid the gold and the garments in his
ent. paid the death penalty because his
repentance was not OF the heart but be-
iuse his guilt had been disco. cred. Such
repentance never saves a man from pun
shment Joshua sought 20 have Achan
make proper confession To the Lord
ut 1t is evident that Achan souehr To
DOL Joshua by his confession when he
vas caught. hoping 10 escape punish
nent. but his repentance was not sincere
lie confessed because the hand of God
ad revealed his identity God knows
ur sins. and we cannot escape paving
ne penalty of our sin except through
he blood of the Lord The eternal law
'ritten In nature and stated in our gold
a text warns US TO be sure your sin
VII nnd YOU out" The penalty of
cath inflicted upon the family of Achan
as not pleasing to Jehovah God inn
osed the lesson in the dramatic WAY
nat He did SO as to impress forever upon
'rael the necessity of obedience to Je-
ovah if they wished to conquer the
romised land. We must learn the same
sson today. for If we wish To prove our
we to Christ, We must keep His COM
Iandments. and by His help keep our
he
Intuition is the quickest kind OF rea-
)niug. Cultivate IL.