The Giver of All Good Things has made it possible for you to accumulate all you call your own. This has always been true, and will be forever. 

President Obama gave a speech telling influential people who opposed some of his policies how it was government programs making their wealth possible. His most notable line from the speech was, “You didn’t build that.” He was half right. Neither did the government. We all use the raw materials God alone provides. 

God creates; humans make. 

Forty years of wilderness journey was complete. A whole new world abundantly overflowing with God’s good gifts greeted the people as they crossed the Jordan River. After years of fighting to secure the land and to plant the different groups in their tribal lands, the people were moving into a land they did not earn and cities they did not build. They were eating from vineyards and olive groves they did not plant. 

Where God guides, God provides. There are abundant blessings when we align and attune our hearts and minds with the heart and mind of God. 

Take a look at what Joshua says next to the people as they begin new lives of freedom and purpose. He orders them to get rid of all competing gods. None of them ever provided a thing other than a chunk of wood or a stone to carry around and set back up when it fell over. God defeated every god in Egypt. He defeated every religious pretender along the way to the Promised Land. He had defeated every god in the Promised Land. 

God can do anything but fail. The gods could do anything but succeed when matched against God Almighty. 

Joshua made it clear where he stood. One of the most well-known texts in the Bible is found in verse 15:

”But if it doesn’t please you to worship the Lord, choose for yourselves today: Which will you worship — the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living? As for me and my family, we will worship the Lord.”

My favorite moment in the Avenger movies was when Loki got thrashed by The Hulk. Hulk calls Loki a “puny god.” When it comes to God and the gods, they are all puny in comparison to the Creator and Redeemer. 

Today’s a good day to take sides again. Join Joshua in standing with God against the gods – the sex gods, money gods, sports gods, business gods, and whatever other gods people may conjure up for themselves.

God wins.

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I will align and attune my heart and mind with the Creator and Redeemer, the Alpha and the Omega. 

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Our Father, you alone are God. There is no equal. There is no comparison. You are God now and forever. I belong to you. Amen.