I was reading Joshua 6 and 7 this morning. That’s the story of the Israelite victory at Jericho and the near-immediate defeat at tiny Ai next door. As usual, men do not have all the facts. Joshua didn’t either. When Ai rolled to victory after the great victory at Jericho, Joshua couldn’t believe it. Had God let them down? All he could do was fall on the ground and ask, Why? Why? Why?
Have you ever faced an Ai moment? I sure have.
God Knows the Whole Story
At best, our knowledge is always incomplete. Sometimes, we aren’t sure why we do the things we do. Obviously, we know even less about others. But, and this is important, God knows it all.
“Then Joshua tore his clothes and fell to the earth on his face before the ark of the LORD until the evening, he and the elders of Israel. And they put dust on their heads. And Joshua said, “Alas, O Lord GOD, why have you brought this people over the Jordan at all, to give us into the hands of the Amorites, to destroy us?” (Joshua 7:6,7)
Face down in the dirt, dirt in his hair, and crying out Why? Why? Why? It’s not a pretty picture of the leader of God’s people.
The LORD said to Joshua, “Get up! Why have you fallen on your face? 11 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. (Joshua 7;10, 11)
It’s almost like God is telling him, “Quit your whining, get up and get to work. There is a problem!”
Why? Why? Why? Because there is a Problem!
Ai beat Israel because the Israelites had sinned. Achan, in his own confession, said he coveted the spoil of Jericho, all of which was to be destroyed. Now, Joshua must seek out the offender, the spoil, and administer punishment. There was no time to waste.
A culture of victimhood marks our world. If I’m suffering, it must be anybody’s fault but mine. And, if it’s nobody’s fault, it must be God’s fault! We will sometimes suffer because of others. Thirty-six warriors died when they faced off at Ai. But usually, our challenges find their origin in us.
God would not tolerate a pity party from Joshua. Israel was now “devoted to destruction” themselves (Joshua 7:12). Joshua was to get up, find the offender, and deal with the sin.
“Never do today what you can put off until tomorrow” was the laughable mantra of Fred Sanford in Sanford and Son. But when the laughing stops, you see the error of the statement. Now is the time to attack problems.
God is Our Shield
David often spoke of God as his shield (2 Samuel 22:3; Psalms 7:10, 18:2, 28:7). David also called God his strength (Psalm 18:1, 28:7, 59:9, 17). Note that most of David’s problems were of his own making. He still appealed to God for help and God delivered.
Despite the multitude of faithless sins committed by Israel, God brought them through the wilderness and into the Promised Land.
Consider these promises:
No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you.
Joshua 1:5
I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread.
Psalm 37:25
We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.
2 Corinthians 4:9
Usually, I would point to Joshua as a great example. Not this time. Don’t be Joshua. Don’t lay around and moan. Get up, deal with the problem and lean on God. After Joshua found and punished the offender, Israel gained a great victory over Ai. God is great!
I would be most grateful if you would leave a comment below. Any applause, criticism, thought, or request would be appreciated.
Good thoughts. Thank you. Needed to hear this.