‘For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death’. – Romans 8:2
As thousands gathered for the annual Japanese festival Hadaka Matsuri “Naked Festival”, which sees thousands of men in minimal amount of clothing (usually a Japanese loincloth and socks) running around a temple as the lights go out, and twigs as well as two lucky 20cm long shingi is thrown from above. It s then up to the 10.000 men to jostle and try to catch one of these sicks in the belief that it will bring them hope and good fortune. With a separate one for young boys, the hope they “will be able to keep the tradition alive in the future”.said a spokeswoman from the Okayama tourism board. As we enter a new week, are you battling with a generational issue?
Generational issues or curses, are believed to have been passed down from one generation to the next, and are often due to rebellion against God. If your family is plagued with poverty, divorce, anger, promiscuity and so forth, then it is deemed that you are likely under a generational curse. It is obvious that patterns of sin and struggle are passed down through families and these patterns can be detrimental to ourselves and those around us. Just as culture and traditions are passed down, so are traits, preferences and ideologies. But is it possible to break free from something which has attached itself to your family for years?
Joshua was a man who chose to break his generational patterns. Deuteronomy 30:19 makes us understand that you either choose life and blessings, or death and curses, and Joshua when faced with an obstacle chose life and blessings. There came a point in time in the exodus of the Israelite when the they had to go to the promised land: Canaan. They had been travelling for years, and had become tired of wandering the wilderness. They were all moaning and groaning and finally they had reached Canaan. Moses sent Joshua long with 11 other spies to canvas the land and bring back a report. Upon their return, 10 of them reported on the giants who inhabited the land and that it couldn’t be occupied by them as they would lose in a fight against them. They spread this around (Numbers 13:31-33), and this caused all of the members of the community to weep and grumble against Moses and Aaron.
But Joshua along with Caleb told them that the land was exceedingly good, and that if the ‘Lord is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land. Do not be afraid of the people of that land because we will devour them” (Numbers 14:7-9). Joshua and Caleb broke the generational patterns of groaning, complaining, fear, anxiety and depression faced by his family for generations. This led to him and Caleb being the only two of their generation to enter the promised land, and Joshua succeeding Moses to lead them to the land. So this week, don’t repeat the bad patterns you have seen being done in your family for years. God has called you into freedom and as long as he abides in you, you are free. Break those generational curses and receive the glory of the Lord.
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