Today’s Reading, Joshua 12-15
Focal Scripture: Joshua 14:8 “My brothers who went with me caused the people to lose heart, but I followed the Lord my God completely.”
Too many people follow the crowd in life. This happens because it is easier to go with the flow instead of having individual thoughts and opinions. Following the crowd takes away the possibility of having to voice a different opinion. Following the crowd means your mind is focused more on pleasing others instead of doing what is right. We see this everyday in our lives, especially when it comes to politics or religion. I have seen people go against their deep convictions because being peaceful is more important than standing up for what is right.
In today’s reading we are getting a flashback of when Joshua and Caleb went to spy out the land. Ten of their brothers were negative and focused on the problem. They believed the enemy was bigger than their God. Their fear spread throughout the entire camp. The crowd caused 40 years of damage which lead to an entire generation having to die out. The only two who didn’t follow the crowd were Joshua and Caleb. These men refused to go along with the crowd and stood up for what was right. They had to think differently and verbalize their opinions.
What is the application for today? Believers have to stand up for what is right at all times. The crowd doesn’t always make the right decision. Often the crowd makes decisions that are unbiblical and immoral. This even happens in settings where things look good from the outside. For example, I just had a conversation with someone the other day, they admitted they made a decision to keep the peace instead of doing what was right. I have seen churches do this as well, especially when it comes to addressing sin. Situations get swept under the rug because dealing with them would upset “certain people” in the church. The desire to please the crowd undermines the truth.
So what type of person are you? Will you do what is right even if it costs you friendships and relationships? I have done this in my life and it can be costly. I was involved in a situation where I refused to follow the crowd and it cost me friendships and even broke fellowship with an organization. The crowd covered up and hid sin. The crowd never addressed it publicly which the Bible demands.
I challenge you to not follow the crowd. Stand up for what is right even when it goes against what is popular. Far too often people want peace instead of truth. Doing what is right is rarely peaceful. Be a person of character. Be a Joshua and Caleb.
Tomorrow, I plan on reading Joshua 16-18
