I won’t hold you long today. Perhaps this message has been shared with you before… perhaps it hasn’t. Either way, I pray that you are willing to listen to it with fresh ears. The Book of Joshua details the account of the Israelites' conquest of Canaan, the Promised Land. Joshua, the new leader of God’s people, had successfully conquered the land that God directed him to.
The ending of Joshua 6 states that Joshua’s fame spread throughout the country. Everyone knew God was on the side of the Israelites, and that they possessed the land of wherever their feet trotted. The land of Ai was next on their list, and they were ready to conquer it as well.
However, when God’s people battled against the residents of Ai, they lost. Joshua was undone at their defeat. He didn’t understand why they lost. He couldn’t fathom why God would allow them to lose. God told him in Joshua 1:5 that “no man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life…” And yet, the small country of Ai had defeated him. Therefore, Joshua fell on his face and petitioned God. He needed answers.
God’s response?
“Get up! Why do you lie thus on your face? Israel has sinned, and they have transgressed My covenant which I commanded them…”
The loss that the Israelites’ suffered was not because God betrayed them. It was because they betrayed God. God gave his people specific commands and told them they would prosper if they followed those commands. But because they went against God’s instructions, they were met with defeat.
But they had a choice. They didn’t have to remain destitute. God gave Joshua further directions—directions that would turn their situation around for the better. The Lord instructed Joshua to get up once again. He said, “Get up, sanctify the people…” Joshua was to gather the people to determine where sin lay within the camp. The camp needed to be cleansed of disobedience.
And so, the perpetrator was discovered and killed per God’s directive. After God’s people were cleansed from unholiness, they were able to conquer the cities that God placed before them. They went from city to city and achieved victory after victory once the camp was purged. It was undeniable that God was on their side, so much so that God held the sun in place at Joshua’s request so that he could finish defeating his enemies.
Reader, consider this account if you are struggling to understand why certain things feel blocked in your life. Could there be sin in your camp? More specifically, are you keeping God’s commands? Victory was postponed for God’s people because of sin. It’s not impossible for the same to be true of us today.
Like Joshua, we should fall on our faces and ask God why things aren’t panning out as we may have envisioned. Things aren’t always postponed because of sin. Maybe it just isn’t the right season, or maybe our desires don’t quite align with God’s. But if the reason is because of sin, we usually know that we are at fault.
Achan, the perpetrator in this account, knew he had sinned. He knew he was the cause of God turning away from the entire camp. And if you are in sin, I’m sure there is a 99% chance you are aware of it.
Today, get up from where you are and fall on your face before God. Inquire of him what must be done for you to go forward in triumph. God is for you. He wants you to win! Therefore, if you ask him what you must do to win, I am sure he will be willing to reveal it to you. Victory is achievable, but obedience is necessary.
May we pray what my mother used to sing, “Please search me, Lord. Turn down a light from heaven on my soul, and if you find anything that shouldn’t be, take it out and strengthen me. I want to be right. I want to be saved. I want to be whole.”
May we be whole in Christ and launch forward in victory after victory upon our obedience to God. Again, I urge you to get up. Get up and fall on your face before the Lord. May your ears and eyes be open in the name of Jesus to see and hear what he reveals. And may we operate with an obedient heart as he directs.
That’s all I have for you today. Get up and move forward in the plans and ways of God. Until next time, take care.
Quin Arrington is a Christian wife, mother, and author with books available at www.amazon.com/author/quinarrington
Thank you for your time. God bless!
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