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Ring of Truth provides 366 daily ‘proofs’ that the Bible is consistent throughout from Genesis to Revelation, and relevant for our lives today!
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Zechariah 3:3-4
“Now Joshua was dressed in filthy clothes as he stood before the angel. The angel said to those who were standing before him, ‘Take off his filthy clothes.’ Then he said to Joshua, ‘See, I have taken away your sin, and I will put rich garments on you.’”
Hallelujah, thank you, God.
Ever felt like Joshua? I have often.
The setting is interesting. “Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right side to accuse him” (v1). Oh yes, ‘he’ was there - Satan. What was he doing? Yes, you’ve got it - accusing. “The accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night” (Revelation 12:10).
This is typical of Satan. He lies and he accuses. Remember Job? God said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? … He is blameless and upright?” “Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied. “Have you not put a hedge around him?” (Job 1:8-10) (So I can’t get my evil hands on him.)
Lying, stealing, killing, destroying and accusing are the characteristics of Satan. He hasn’t changed (see John 10:10).
I find the accusations interesting. Interesting in that they are true. Job was protected by God. Joshua was clothed in filthy garments. But it was the attitude in which it was pointed out. God saw Joshua for who God had made him to be. Satan just saw the negatives.
I love the old hymn, which says –
“When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the wrong within,
Upward I look and see Him there
Who made an end of all my sin.”
You see, God knows what we are like – He made us – so Satan is not going to tell God anything new. But Satan can never see truth. The Truth is that God has redeemed us. God knows the truth because He paid the price. He sees us as He made us and has redeemed us.
Because Satan has never ‘returned’, he cannot understand the love, mercy and grace of God. Because he never has nor will ever return, he knows God only as a God of justice and wrath and therefore cannot comprehend or grasp why his accusations go unheeded.
Jesus said to the woman caught in adultery – “Neither do I condemn you” (John 8:11). Interestingly enough, He was unable to say that to her ‘invisible partner’.
Paul tells us, “Therefore, there is now No Condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). “Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies” (8:33). God will not accuse. He is the One who justifies us. He is the One who makes us and sees us innocent. No, it’s only Satan who tries to condemn us.
Listen, if you feel dressed in “filthy clothes” today because of the past – return to God. Confess whatever it is you need to confess and then let Him take away your “filthy clothes”. He will wash you clean in His precious blood and clothe you in His righteousness, and “put (on) a clean turban” and “rich garments” (v 5 & v 4). (See also Luke 15:22.)
Don’t let the enemy’s accusations get to you. Tell him that though he is right, there is a whole lot more he knows nothing about and say, “There is NO condemnation for me. So - Get off my case. I don’t belong to you. I am a child of the Living God – a Prince (or Princess) belonging to the King of kings.”
See again, God clothing you in “rich (royal) garments” and looking down with a smile of joy and delight in you.
Then go and face the day and whatever life will bring you - with your head held up high and with a spring in your step.
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