Daily Devotional

Years ago, one of the elders said something to me that has stuck ever since. It went something like this; “You know David, worship isn’t just people singing together in church on Sunday mornings. It’s what we do with our whole lives”. He was pointing out that worship isn’t an event, worship is a lifestyle.

How do I create a lifestyle of worshiping God? Let me make a list. Starting with singing together with others on Sunday mornings, I can add; praying to Him, works of service, studying His word, giving tithes and offerings, sharing the Gospel. This list could grow quickly, couldn’t it. However, without Joshua chapter 7, I may never have thought of including ‘confession’ as a form of worship.

Joshua 6 is about God giving Jericho into Joshua’s hand via an unusual process. The men of war marched around the city once a day for six days with trumpets blowing. Then seven times on the seventh day. After the seventh round, yelling and shouting was added to the trumpets. Not a typical battle strategy, yet the walls of Jericho fell down flat.

However, there was a problem. Joshua 7:1 says “But the sons of Israel acted unfaithfully in regard to the things under the ban” (Joshua 6:17-19) “… therefore the anger of the LORD burned against the sons of Israel.” This verse tells us who violated the ban. Joshua was unaware of who at that time. God instructs Joshua how to find the guilty party, again, via an unusual process.

“So Joshua arose early in the morning and brought Israel near by tribes, and the tribe of Judah was taken. He brought the family of Judah near, and he took the family of the Zerahites; and he brought the family of the Zerahites by man by man, and Zabdi was taken. He brought his household near man by man; and Achan, son of Carmi, son of Zabdi, son of Zerah, from the tribe of Judah, was taken.” Joshua 7:16-18

Certainly, everyone in Israel must now know that Achan is the culprit. One would also think how this elaborate process would be more than sufficient to convict and sentence him. But Joshua, fully convinced himself, still wants to hear it from Achan.

“Then Joshua said to Achan, “My son, I implore you, give glory to the LORD, the God of Israel, and give praise to Him; and tell me now what you have done. Do not hide it from me.”” – Joshua 7:19

Joshua doesn’t command Achan to confess, but endearingly draws it out of him. He starts off by calling him “my son”. He keeps it personal when he says, “tell me”, not ‘tell us’. Joshua then implores him in a way that shows Achan how his confession will give glory to the LORD, the God of Israel, and give praise to Him. Achan confesses, and hides none of it from Joshua.

Thus, I say confession to God is also worshiping God. Confessing our sin is agreeing with God, saying “I was wrong, You are right”, “My sin separates me from You, my confession lets me be rejoined to You.” The way Joshua handled this situation demonstrated godliness. I believe God endearingly calls us as His children to confess, wanting us to receive what He paid so dearly for; forgiveness and salvation.

“for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.” – Matthew 26:28

I’m adding confession to my Lifestyle of Worshiping God list. How about you?

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and cleans us from all unrighteousness.” – 1 John 1:9.

New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.