Our ancestors endured tremendous hardships in the hopes of us being free. They lived and died with only dreams of what we now take for granted. They faced intense and overt violence and injustice with dignity and determination to not allow hatred to twist their consciences.  They made progress, slowly, and we are still here… 

The Civil Rights Movement that we often define as a social and political movement, was actually a spiritual movement that had its roots in the Black Church.  

While we are still here,our communities are struggling.  Our struggling communities stem from our struggling families.  Our families struggle most intensely when we devote ourselves to everything but GOD! When we neglect our sacred past, when we dishonor our ancestors, we forsake our future. 

When Israel entered the Promised Land, God gave specific instructions.  While the land was theirs, they would have to possess it.  In possessing the land, they were told not to ‘devote’ themselves to the stuff that the other people in the land did.  In the battle to take the city Ai, Israel abandoned God’s instructions and they were routed and forced to retreat.

They lost the battle because they took and devoted themselves to the things that God told them to destroy.  In a word, their values got messed up. 

I wonder if we as a people may be encountering some of this.  Have we, in an attempt to achieve the American dream, abandoned the One who truly makes and keeps us free? In our desire for material success and prosperity, have we abandoned the One who keeps and prospers us? What have we devoted ourselves to?  

¹² Therefore the people of Israel cannot stand before their enemies. They turn their backs before their enemies, because they have become devoted for destruction. I will be with you no more, unless you destroy the devoted things from among you.

Joshua 7:12 (ESV)

What are we devoted to as a people? Who are we devoted to?

If it is not God, it will not stand… we will not stand.

ihs,

just adam