Joshua was a great leader of Israel. They went up against a powerful city in Jericho as they moved into the Promised Land. God gave them a huge win. You and I often have the same wins. God-given and producing a powerful feeling of victory in our guts. It’s great.
But the victory of Jericho could be your downfall. Might lead to your next defeat!
Why is that? Because it wasn’t hard. In the story of Joshua, all that Israel had to do was march around the city once a day, then seven times on the seventh day … then yell like crazy. And – Boom - victory.
So, they thought, “Hey we’re doing great here in Canaan. Let’s go to the next place and wipe it out also.” They did. They got slaughtered.
After Joshua defeated one of the most powerful cities in the Middle East at Jericho.
They became somewhat arrogant, felt strong, felt like champions. Feeling like they were strong in themselves they moved forward without asking God for direction. I’ve seen this in business, church life and athletics a hundred times. Living off the emotion, strategy and ego drive of previous wins.
They went to a city called Ai. Smaller, less fortified, not intimidating. They went without the direction and strategy of the Lord. And they were defeated. Joshua was embarrassed. They found out a man named Achan had taken spoils against the direct command of God. It was a total mess.
What did they do next?
Joshua and the people repented. They healed up the wounds of their fallen comrades and assisted the families. They wiped out the sin of Achan by destroying him and his legacy. They asked God what to do next.
Repentance is the pivot point between ruin and reconciliation.
Reconciled to the will of God, a heart renewed by God’s forgiveness and hope, Joshua listened to the Lord’s command. Precisely following the strategy that God gave them Joshua took 30,000 warriors and soundly defeated the city of Ai.
Your latest or greatest victory is not license to walk forward without the presence of the Lord. It is the opposite. It is a very clear message that you need Jesus in your life every day, every moment, for every decision.
Jericho was a great victory. You’ve had some wins. Let’s thank the Lord for that!
Then, let’s ask Him, “What’s the next move?”
Wisdom from heaven trumps earthly great ideas every time.
