Defeated! February 29 Readings: Joshua 6-8, Obedience is the Key

The Story of the Bible from Creation to the Cross to Eternal Glory

In 72 daily readings, we will examine the overall story of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, seeking to get the big picture of God's work through Jesus Christ in this sinful world.

Today's Reading:  Joshua 6-8

Through the Bible Readings: 

Because it is Leap Year, there are no Through the Bible in One Year readings today. 

Context 

The conquest of the land begins here as Israel puts into place the plan of attack given to them by the Angel of the Lord. In obedience to God they marched around the walls for six days, then seven times on the seventh day, and the walls came down. It was all about obedience.

Then, overconfident for reasons that make no sense, Israel took out on their own to attack the little village of Ai. They went without consulting God, fighting in their own power, and took a severe beating at the hands of this little town.

Then, they got right with God, dealt with their sin, began walking in obedience again, and the victory began to flow again.

It's all about obedience.

Devotional: Defeated!

Joshua was flabbergasted. After the great victory he and the people of God had won over Jericho, they had suddenly been horribly defeated by a little nothing village called Ai. Had God let his people down, forgotten them? Joshua was convinced that God had failed his people and he called out to him for help and understanding. 

He got the help he needed, but it came in a very different way than he expected. Get up off the ground, Joshua. Stop praying and deal with the sin that caused the problem. That was not what he expected. 

But God revealed the source of the problem  - Achan’s sin – and Israel took care of business. It is shocking to our modern sensibilities the lengths to which he went in dealing with this sin, but sin is no small thing in God’s eyes. But there was sin in Israel and it had to be dealt with - aggressively and forcefully. 

Once the sin issue was properly put in the past, there was still the matter of round 2 with Ai. This time, with God on their side and giving them direction, and using their entire army, they went up to Ai and conquered it. God gave them wisdom and power and they won the battle that only days before had brought defeat.

There are some important lessons for us in this story. First, defeat is never final for the people of God. I have lost and lost and lost, but that does not mean that I should give up. Just because I blew it yesterday does not mean that I will blow it tomorrow. I do not have to be tomorrow what I used to be.

Second, if I want to change, I’ve got to deal with the deep sins, the heart issues, and the hidden things that have undermined my success. Israel could have gone up against Ai with a hundred different strategies, but until they dealt with the sin in their midst, there would be no victory. I need to let the Spirit speak conviction to my heart and show me whatever there is in my life that might hinder my victory.

Finally, I need to marshal all the power that God has given me and go to battle. When Israel took only a part of their resources, they were turned away. But when they went up against Ai with all of their soldiers, empowered by God, the battle turned. For any spiritual battle we face we must put on the whole armor of God, not just part of it. 

Lord, thank you for never giving up, even when I feel like a failure. Thank you for being faithful and good. Forgive my sins and cleanse my heart that I may walk in your ways daily.

Think and Pray:

Are there areas in your life in which you are walking in disobedience to God?
Is there sin you must deal with so that you may experience God's power?