RENEW YOUR PURSUIT

Joshua 8: 1-8

Bertie C. Forbes, founder of the prestigious Forbes Magazine once said: History has demonstrated that the most notable winners usually encountered heartbreaking obstacles before they triumphed. They won because they refused to become discouraged by their defeats.

Indeed, failures and defeats in life don't have to be final. They could be significant stepping stones to life's great victories.

How resilient are you in life? Are you able to recover from big failures or defeats? Our text this morning presents this important truth before us. Last Sunday, we have seen Israel's tragic defeat in Ai because of Achan's willful disobedience. After they have decisively dealt with this sin, God's favor was restored towards them. Now, they needed to go back fighting and renew their pursuit of the Promised Land. Perhaps, some of them were thinking, there's no way they will win again; or perhaps some of them may be feeling that they're better off just going back. It would really be sad if they choose to stop here and just forget everything. Throwing in the towel is not the answer. They need to continually seek the Lord and renew their pursuit. Let's consider together what they needed to do in order to continue their victorious pursuit:

I     THEY NEED TO BE ENCOURAGED: (vv. 1-2)

Seeing how the defeat in Ai had discouraged the Israelites, the Lord opened chapter 8 with some precious promises. Notice these words - For I have delivered into your hands the king of Ai, his people, his city and his land.

First of all, with this promise they received, they should stop being afraid because of the reality that in God they're already winners. They should be encouraged because as far as God is concern, it is already a done deal. Even before they fight the battle, God himself has already delivered Ai into their hands.

What an assurance! They all need to be impressed with the fact that they are not fighting for victory, but from victory. God has already won the battle for them.

This reminds me of the same assurance we Christians have in life. When we think about what Jesus had accomplished on the cross, it is summarized in His declaration - "It is finished." In these words, Jesus was literally saying it is over; He has already won the battle for us. As long as we are abiding in Him, we will reap the blessings of His victory.

If we are a bit discouraged about our lives? Let's stand on the fact that we are already victors in Christ.

II    THEY NEED TO BE EDUCATED: (vv.1 -3)

Experience is always a great teacher. Israel needs to learn from their previous defeat in order for them to win. The great general of the Gulf War, Colin Powell had said,

There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, learning from failure.

There are two areas where they need to learn:

A. Pride:

In verse one, God clearly instructed them with these words - Take the whole army with you, and go up and attack Ai.

In chapter 7, they made the mistake of underestimating the city of Ai sending only three thousand men. What a disaster! Now, they have to listen to God and send their entire army to fight.

Likewise, we have to be careful with pride because it can lead to a sure defeat. God gives a very strong warning about it:

B. Provision

Another area where they need to learn is on God's provision. In verse two, you will read the instruction allowing them to take the spoils including the livestock from the city of Ai.

What a contrast! In Jericho they were prohibited to take anything. But in Ai, they were allowed. Considering the sin of Achan, if only he had suppressed his greediness and trusted the Lord, he could have later enjoyed God's provisions too. Truly, the path of obedience and faith is always the best.

The apostle Paul had this to say concerning God's provisions:

God cares for us, and he will never withhold any good thing from us. He is most willing to look out for us and provide us with all our needs. However, we need to constantly trust Him and put Him before anyone or anything else.

III   THEY NEED TO BE EFFECTIVE: (vv. 3-8)

Aside from being encouraged, and educated, they also need to be effective. Although God has promised that the city was already theirs, still Joshua had strategized their attack to the city. They did not advance carelessly; they employed sound planning in order to be victorious.

The battle plan was very effective. It involved three contingents of soldiers:

• The first was a group of 30, 000 valiant warriors who were sent by night to hide just west of the city of Ai. Their assignment was to rush into the city and burn it after its defenders had deserted it to pursue Joshua and his army (vv. 3-9).
• The second contingent was led by Joshua; they will march in the plain view on the north side of Ai. This group was a diversionary force to decoy the defenders of Ai out of the city (vv. 10-11).
• The third contingent was another ambush numbering 5,000 men who were positioned between Bethel and Ai to cut off the possibility of reinforcements from Bethel aiding the men of Ai (vv. 12-13)

I believe this is a significant reminder for all of us. Planning properly is not unspiritual. God has given us the mind to do it:

When we seek the Lord, He is able to give us the wisdom we need in order to be effective in this life. Joseph in Genesis 41: 33-40 has demonstrated the wisdom of God when laid before Pharaoh his plan for the coming famine in Egypt. God promises to supply the wisdom whenever we need it:

Finally, as much as we want to be victorious at all times, we sometimes encounter defeats. What we do after our defeats are critical. Our defeat can be a backdoor to success if we are willing to renew our pursuit. First, our pursuit of God must be wholehearted. And then pursue our own promised land by being encouraged, being educated, and by being effective. Let's not give up easily. Let's keep advancing in the power of the Lord!