Good morning
Today’s Holy Nougat is a bit longer than usual but I urge us to read at least twice before reading the accompanying message.
“When they returned, they told Joshua, “There’s no need for all of us to go up there; it won’t take more than two or three thousand men to attack Ai.” … But the Lord said to Joshua, “Get up! Why are you lying on your face like this? Israel has sinned and broken my covenant! They have stolen some of the things that I commanded must be set apart …”
Joshua 7:3a, 10-11a NLT
This battle followed on the heels of the grand victory over Jericho. From the early movement of this extended Nougat, we note that Joshua’s scouts were still hyped about the previous victory. One could argue that they had become ‘cockaty’. In the in between time, there was no mention of consulting with their Coomander-in-Chief. And, while that’s a ‘rookie’ mistake, it had, and still has, serious consequences for the trigger-happy warrior.
Oh yes
There are some decisions that we make on our own. No worries. But when we are in warrior mode; we have to remind ourselves that one skirmish doesn’t a war win.
Ask Goliath.
Ask Hitter.
Ask Napoleon.
Ask Saddam Hussein.
Well, I suspect that they are mourning their losses somewhere on the other side of eternity.
So, in that case: Ask God
It still is God’s war. And despite knowing that the war is lost, the enemy keeps coming back. Trying to defeat us in the battles.
For when we lose the skirmishes, we feel like we lost the war. But a skirmish does not a battle take; and a battle is not the whole war. It ain’t over till God says so! Nope.
Joshua woke from exultance after the ‘few’ warriors were defeated at Ai. He fell on his face before his Commander-in-Chief and asked why. And he WAITED for an answer from YHWH Sabaoth.
For some of us, it’s the wait and listen for God’s direction which challenges us. We have not yet mastered waiting. Or listening for that matter. (Did I hear ouch? Oh that’s my own conscience sounding out – sshhhhh)
But if waiting on God is a challenge; we’re likely to lose the war. Remember, rest is also a form of waiting. And if listening is our challenge – Lord Jesus help us! For, as my god-granny would say; “who can’t hear will feel!”
Let’s get something straight here.
God loves us.
God desires the best for us (Jeremiah 29:11)
God desires the best in us
So while God may permit a loss on the battlefield; God’s desire is for our victory in adversity through our obedience. When we wait and listen (ie do what we hear); then we are operating in obedience. And Who better to obey than the One Who has experience on all kinds of war and war tactics?
In what ways have you, have I disobeyed God? Is it time for repentance?
The war isn’t over – by our obedience; the victory is ours alongside the Lord!
Be of good courage!
In Christ’s love and grace . . .
