GO IN GOD’S STRENGTH TO WIN THE BATTLE

“O God the Lord the strength of my salvation, You have covered my head in the day of battle.”—Psalm 140:7

Joshua saw God’s might hand at work many times from crossing the Red Sea to watching Jericho’s impassable walls crash to the ground.  But then the Hebrew commander over the Israeli army experienced a devastating defeat.

Right after the conquest of Jericho, his advisors recommended moving forward to defeat the city of Ai.  Joshua took their advice, expecting quick success.  Instead, the Israelites found themselves retreating in fear after some of their own men fell in battle.

 Why, Joshua wondered, would the Lord God do this to them (Joshua 7:7-9)?   But he had misread the situation.  God did not initiate the disaster.  The problem originated within the Hebrew army, when an Israelite took forbidden plunder after Jericho fell.  Because Joshua failed to seek God’s counsel, he did not know that there was a problem until it was too late.

The man who had sinned was put to death along with his family.  Then God told Joshua that it was time to take Ai.  This time, purged of unrighteousness and following divine direction, the army was successful (Joshua 8). 

The story contains two vital lessons for all believers.  First, it is critical to deal with sin quickly and completely.  Iniquity skews our thinking and keeps us from communicating with our heavenly Father.  Secondly, before taking action, we should wait for God’s guidance.

Prayer—Father I recommitted myself to not allowing sin to be in “my camp” and to always seeking You first, in Jesus Name. Amen.