Joshua 1:1–9
“Familiarity breeds contempt” is an old cliché because it’s nearly always true. However, before contempt, familiarity also breeds complacency—that ho-hum attitude keeping us way too comfortable with the status quo. Complacency is in the same troublesome family as cynicism, a kissing cousin of contempt.
Overexposure to spiritual things can both dampen our enthusiasm and damage our awe for God. That’s what happened to the ancient Israelites before they entered the Promised Land. Daily miracles became ho-hum experiences as God’s people grew more complacent, cynical, and contemptuous. But God had a stern word for them . . . and for us: Sustain your enthusiasm or you may pay a heavy price.
