Today’s meditation is based on Joshua 7:4, “So about 3,000 men from the people went up there, but they fled before the men of Ai.” (TLV)
When the people of Israel were confronted with the mighty city of Jericho, they trusted God, obeyed His counsel, and thereby experienced an astounding victory. However, when they went on to fight against the city of Ai which was comparatively insignificant, they were met with unexpected failure.
Oftentimes when we encounter failure, we lose heart and become discouraged or distressed.
The Israelites were so perplexed that their hearts grew wearied from this unforeseen turn of events.
We read in Joshua 7:5, “The men of Ai struck down about 36 of their men, and they chased them from outside the gate as far as Shebarim, striking them down on the slope. So the hearts of the people melted and became like water.” (TLV)
The hearts of the people melted like ice at the predicament that befell them. God had made mighty promises to Joshua and his men that He would be with them, and that no one could stand against him all the days of his life. It was therefore a major disappointment for the Israelites who were defeated by the people of Ai, which made them totally lose heart.
Interestingly, after this failure the Israelites sought God, did as He commanded them to, and regained victory over Ai. They sanctified themselves, put aside all that defiled them, and God did mighty wonders for them.
As children of God you may have faced some failures and disappointments which have left you wondering as to what the outcome would be. If such is your situation, listen to God’s word, and I am certain that you will be greatly encouraged.
1. Go to God in prayer for everything
The verdict of those who spied on Ai
In Joshua 7:2-3, we read, “Now Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is near Beth-aven, east of Bethel, and spoke to them saying: “Go up and spy out the land.” So the men went up and spied out Ai. When they returned to Joshua, they reported to him: “Let not all the people go up—only about two or three thousand men need go up and strike Ai, so don’t wear out all the people there, for they are just a few.” (TLV)
Jericho seemed formidable to the Israelites, and so they looked to the Lord for counsel to defeat it. God gave them counsel, they obeyed because they knew that they could not conquer Jericho with their own strength. The outcome was that they had a most amazing victory. However, after their victory over Jericho, the men who spied on the land of Ai, thought it was insignificant compared to the city of Jericho. They assumed that with just 3000 men they could easily overthrow the city of Ai. Joshua gave heed to this information, and immediately sent the men as was suggested by those who spied on Ai. The ones who sought the Lord for counsel when faced with Jericho, chose to do their own thing, and did not even enquire of the Lord as to what they should do when it came to fighting against Ai.
Seek God for everything, small or big
Have you noticed how we go to God when we encounter huge problems which seem insurmountable, and yet for the little problems we face we chose to make our own decisions? Irrespective of whether the difficulties that come our way are small or big, the Lord reminds us that we need to pray about all of them. When we seek God’s counsel, and do accordingly, we will certainly experience success in all of our endeavors.
Let me share some examples which will help you understand this point better. When children are going to write their exams, certain subjects which they have studied well and are easy for them, they will go confidently knowing that they will pass them with ease. However, there may be some subjects that are tough for them, and they will request parents or church leaders to pray for them that they will do well in those exams. The reason for this is that they feel that the easy subjects they can handle themselves, and that they need God’s help only for those subjects that are difficult for them. Here’s something that every student must keep in mind, you must be well prepared for your exams, but when you go with prayer trusting in the Lord, you will surely succeed.
So also, when we get a headache we may take a tablet, and deal with it lightly. If on the other hand we go to the doctor, and are told that we have something major, then we desperately fast, pray, run to God, and ask everyone to pray for us. Truly it is God’s will that we seek Him at all times, even for the little and insignificant matters. Another example is when we have the needed finance to purchase a vehicle we will go and purchase it outright without a second thought. However, if there is a lack of finance then we turn to God, and ask for His help to meet our need. Let us not lean on our own understanding or go to God only for hard times, but seek Him all the time, and make a decision to take everything to the Lord in prayer.
Pray about everything
Paul says it this way in Philippians 4:6,“Never worry about anything. But in every situation let God know what you need in prayers and requests while giving thanks.” (GW)
Whatever we face in life, however small or big, however important or seemingly unimportant let us pray to God about everything. As we seek God’s counsel, and give Him the preeminence in our lives, surely everything we venture to do will be successful.
Also as mentioned in Joshua 7:3, When they returned to Joshua, they reported to him: “Let not all the people go up—only about two or three thousand men need go up and strike Ai, so don’t wear out all the people there, for they are just a few.” (TLV)
Based on this report and counsel from the spies, Joshua acted and sent only a few thousand men into battle. Joshua forgot that victory always comes from the Lord alone.
1. Victory comes from God alone
We as children of God must realize is that whatever our problems may be, either big or small victory always comes only from the Lord.
God can save with few or many
These are the words of Jonathan the son of King Saul as found in 1 Samuel 14:6, Maybe the LORD will help us; if he does, nothing can keep him from giving us the victory, no matter how few of us there are." (GNB)
This was the conviction that Jonathan had for He knew that numbers did not matter to God who could perform wonders either way.
The lesson we learn from this is that success comes from God alone irrespective of whether we have little or no strength.
We also read in Proverbs 21:31, “The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the LORD.” (ESV)
Horses are being prepared for war every day, but the fact remains that victory can come only from the Lord.
Preparation is necessary, but preparation does not guarantee success. For instance a student must prepare himself for the exams, but we should never assume that our success was a result of our hard work. Most of us may have heard about the Titanic whose builders thought that it was so sturdy and indestructible. Even before the Titanic reached the spot of disaster, they had received warnings from other ships nearby that there was danger ahead. However, the ones who piloted the ship went ahead because they believed that their ship was invincible. We can take all the necessary precautions, but our true safety comes from God alone. Success comes from God alone, and we must learn to depend on the Lord with all our heart.
There was another event that came to my mind as I pondered on this. When Abraham wanted to find a bride for his son Isaac, he sent his servant Eliezer with these words.
Abraham sought God to find a bride for Isaac
We read in Genesis 24:7, “The LORD, the God of heaven, brought me from the home of my father and from the land of my relatives, and he solemnly promised me that he would give this land to my descendants. He will send his angel before you, so that you can get a wife there for my son.” (GNB)
When Abraham sent his servant Eliezer with this responsibility, his servant was apprehensive that he may encounter failure if the girl refused to come with him. Abraham had to assure Eliezer that the God who called him, and promised him was faithful to send His angel ahead of him. We read the Abraham was a wealthy man who was greatly blessed by the Lord, but when it came to finding a bride for his son, Abraham looked to the Lord for help. Abraham could have found anyone to be a bride for his son, but Abraham waited patiently on the Lord, and so did Isaac, and God brought Rebecca into their family.
There are many who like Abraham desire to establish godly families for their offspring. However, many are discouraged and saddened that things are not taking place as they hoped for. So also the young people who are awaiting their spouses feel disheartened. Here’s a lesson for us to learn that we can hunt all we want for a suitable bride or groom in our own strength or by our own methods only to find that things don’t work out. Instead if we prayerfully commit everything to God, await His time, then He blesses all our efforts, and will bring the right person into the family. Be assured that God will do the same as He did for Abraham, and bring the blessing of the right person for your children at the right time.
2. Examine yourselves before God and set things right
These were the words of Joshua in Joshua 7:7-9, Joshua said, "Almighty LORD, why did you bring these people across the Jordan River? Was it to hand us over to the Amorites so that they could destroy us? I wish we had been content to live on the other side of the Jordan! Lord, what else can I say after Israel ran away from its enemy? When the Canaanites and everyone who lives in the land hears about it, they will surround us and remove every memory of us from the earth. What will you do then so that your great name will be remembered?" (GW)
Joshua was so perplexed at the defeat that he began to question God if He brought them across the Jordan to destroy them. He also told God that they would have been content to live on the other side of the Jordan in the wilderness. In spite of all the wonders that God had performed in parting the Jordan, and bringing them safe across, Joshua was still in doubt and regret. Also Joshua imagined that this news of their defeat at Ai would be spread abroad, and that all other nations would surround them so that they are completely destroyed. This was Joshua’s lament to the Lord, and he concluded by telling God that God’s name was at stake if His people were to be destroyed.
Many of us when faced with hardships in life speak as Joshua did. We get agitated and wish for days gone by. If we have done so let us seek God’s pardon for the same.
Our words must be few before God
There are many who like Joshua are not aware as to the power and might of the God they are praying to, and therefore pray in an inappropriate manner.
We read in Ecclesiastes 5:2, “Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few.”(ESV)
Often because of varying circumstances, our hearts are in turmoil, and there is so much of worry over things that have not even taken place. Instead of being agitated, we are reminded to be calm before the Lord. The Lord has led us hitherto, has preserved our lives, and He will lead us unto the end. God does not change, but He is always good, powerful and more than sufficient for us all through our lives.
God exhorted Joshua to rise up
These are the words of God to Joshua as found in Joshua 7:10-11, “The LORD said to Joshua, "Get up! Why have you fallen on your face? Israel has sinned; they have transgressed my covenant that I commanded them; they have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen and lied and put them among their own belongings.” (ESV)
God admonished Joshua, and told him to get up from the state he was in, a state of utter hopelessness wherein he had torn his clothes, and covered himself with ashes. The Lord explained to Joshua that the reason for the defeat at Ai sin in the Israel camp. Only then Joshua realized that the people had disobeyed God’s command, had taken some of the devoted things, stolen, lied, hidden these things amongst their belongings, and thereby defiled themselves. The Lord forgave the Israelites and they conquered Ai, but only after the sins were dealt with.
Whenever we encounter failure it is necessary that we introspect to see if we have sinned against the Lord in any way. As the Lord reveals this to us, we must be willing to set it right, and when we do so, success will be ours again. Let us not keep grumbling at failures as Joshua did. If there are things that you have done that has displeased or dishonored the Lord in any way, be humble to repent and the Lord will give you the victory in the very place where you had defeat.
The Psalmist says it this way in Psalm 139:23-24, Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!(ESV)
There are three things we learnt in this message. Firstly, we must go to God in prayer for everything, seek His counsel for all matters be they small or big. Secondly, we are reminded that success comes from God alone. Thirdly, when faced with failure, we must examine ourselves to see if we have sinned against God in any way, or done things that have displeased Him. When we confess these sins to the Lord, and go on in His strength, God will grant us success in those very places where we encountered failure. Remember that Christ is the conqueror, His name is Jehovah- Nissi. Jesus has overcome death itself, and there is nothing in our lives that He cannot triumph over.
Rev. F. Andrew Dixon
www.goodnewsfriends.net
Transcribed by: Sis. Esther Collins
