Courage to StandSample

Staying in Strength

In the next chapter of Joshua’s story, we discover that the Israelites feel invincible. They’ve claimed the Jericho victory as their own (not God’s) and this pride derails them. Suddenly they’re facing unexpected defeat. It’s uncomfortable to admit, but the same thing can happen to us.

God’s people are beaten because an enemy within their camp causes havoc. Despite God’s instructions not to plunder the treasures of Jericho – these are to be an offering to Him – Achan has pocketed some precious things for himself. Unaware of this, Joshua forges ahead to take the city of Ai, following his spies’ report that 3,000 men will easily defeat this tiny town. They’re super confident because the Jericho victory is fresh in their minds. As the leader of God’s people, Joshua should pray and seek God’s plan of attack. But he doesn’t. Thirty-six men are killed, and Israel experiences their first loss.

Joshua is devastated and flings himself on the ground in prayer and God effectively reprimands him: Too little, too late! He tells Joshua to get up and get busy cleaning house by dealing with the sin that has infiltrated the camp. The family who stole the devoted things are called out of the crowd, and Joshua begs Achan to confess his sin. For us, too, step one in dealing with sin is confession.

The second step is dealing with the source of the sin. Achan saw, then he coveted, then he took (Joshua 7:21). We’re no different. Our sin follows the same destructive progression. As James explains, we get drawn away from God’s ways by the disordered desires of our heart. The secret to making things right – dealing with the enemy ‘within the camp’ – is confession and prayer.

Once Joshua and the people have dealt with the sin that has led to chaos and defeat, victory for the Israelites is no longer in question. Joshua’s army moves on, wiser and humbler, to again take hold of God-empowered victory. Let’s keep our hearts tender towards the counsel and conviction of the Holy Spirit, confessing, praying, and resting in Jesus’ victory.