-Thirty One- Refusing God's Grace

Refusing God’s Grace

Today’s Reading and Focal Verse: Joshua 16:10

And they did not drive out the Canaanites who dwelt in Gezer; but the Canaanites dwell among the Ephraimites to this day and have become forced laborers.

God gives us commands to follow for our lives that, when followed, bring peace to our lives. Many times we choose our own way, however, and chaos and destruction result. The Israelites were no different. In Deuteronomy 20:16-19, God gives instructions to destroy the nations living the lands He is giving them. These are wicked nations. Many even sacrificed their own children to false gods. God knew if these people remained in the land, they would influence His people toward wickedness and their peace would be gone. But they chose their own way…

The Canaanites who remained eventually turned the Israelites hearts away from God and away from the blessings and peace He so graciously wanted to give them.

Psalm 106:36-38 They served their idols, which became a snare to them. They even sacrificed their sons and their daughters to demons, and shed innocent blood, the blood of their sons and daughters, whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan; and the land was polluted with blood.

　

**What “Canaanites” have you allowed to stay in your life? Say this prayer:

Teach me good judgment and knowledge,

For I believe Your commandments.

Before I was afflicted I went astray,

But now I keep Your word.

You are good, and do good;

Teach me Your statutes.

Psalm 119:66-68**