Victory and Defeat

Joshua and the Children of Israel were experiencing victory. They had come out of the wilderness, and crossed the Jordan River on dry ground. They had seen the walls of Jericho fall down after they had walked around them for seven days. It was absolutely awesome! These people are walking in the land of victory. It is wonderful to see what God can do with His people when they are surrendered to Him. But all of a sudden in the midst of victory the children of Israel experienced a smashing defeat. God’s people lost 36 of their finest young fighting men and on top of that, they lost ground they had already gained as they were driven back. What in the world had happened?

God’s people are a people of VICTORY. When defeat comes there has to be a reason for it.

In the case of the Israelites and their sudden and tragic defeat, Joshua was troubled--you might even say he was discouraged. Notice his prayer: "...Alas, O Lord GOD, wherefore hast thou at all brought this people over Jordan, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? would to God we had been content, and dwelt on the other side Jordan! O Lord, what shall I say, when Israel turneth their backs before their enemies! For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land shall hear of it, and shall environ us round, and cut off our name from the earth: and what wilt thou do unto thy great name?" (Joshua 7:7-9).

The story that unfolds in Joshua 7 is fascinating--and frightening. One of the things we learn in this passage is that we cannot enjoy God's victories in our lives and harbor sin in our lives at the same time!

Consider the following questions:

Are we enjoying the victories in our lives that we use to enjoy?
Are we seeing people saved and delivered from sin like we use to?
Are we seeing our church grow the way it needs to grow?
Are our families solid and secure in the Lord and His Word?
Are our young people growing?
Are we as in love with God as we use to be?
Do we feel the presence of the Holy Ghost like we use to?

In the case of Israel, the problem--the reason for their terrible defeat--was the sin of one single man who disobeyed the Lord.

The wise Solomon said, "These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren" (Proverbs 6:16-19).

O, God, search us and cleanse us as as we bow our hearts before you. Help us to be obedient to your Word and walk in love.