Turn Defeat to Victory
Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.
Psalms 20:7
The first great victory that the Israelites tasted was at the battle of Jericho. With the mighty hand of God on their side the Israelites defeated the mighty enemy easily. This victory gave Israelites great confidence in themselves.
Confident in themselves, they developed a casual attitude.Instead of depending on God and seeking Him for counsel, Israelites started to depend on their own strength. This lead to the great defeat at Ai.
After this defeat, Israel’s leaders felt forced to turn to God. Joshua himself “tore his clothes and fell to the earth on his face before the ark of the Lord until the evening.”
As they demonstrated this humility, God revealed the reason for their defeat. They had been infected with sin. As a community, they repented and turned to God, who gave them a strategy that turned defeat into victory.
They were learning a painful lesson: the price of overconfidence. What happens when sin infects our lives and we depend upon our own strength. Ironically, the Bible tells us that we have maximum strength when we are weak, because we are forced completely to depend on God. As Paul explained, “When I am weak, then I am strong”
(2 Corinthians 12:10).
As you face life’s challenges, remember the danger of overconfidence. Don’t make assumptions, or take God for granted. Stay humble and commit every decision to Him, no matter how big or small it might seem to be.
Don’t depend on your own ideas or lean on your understanding. Seek His direction. Obey Him and repent of any sin. Stay sensitive to His Spirit. And stand on His Word. Place your absolute trust and confidence in Him.
Confident in themselves, they developed a casual attitude.Instead of depending on God and seeking Him for counsel, Israelites started to depend on their own strength. This lead to the great defeat at Ai.
After this defeat, Israel’s leaders felt forced to turn to God. Joshua himself “tore his clothes and fell to the earth on his face before the ark of the Lord until the evening.”
As they demonstrated this humility, God revealed the reason for their defeat. They had been infected with sin. As a community, they repented and turned to God, who gave them a strategy that turned defeat into victory.
They were learning a painful lesson: the price of overconfidence. What happens when sin infects our lives and we depend upon our own strength. Ironically, the Bible tells us that we have maximum strength when we are weak, because we are forced completely to depend on God. As Paul explained, “When I am weak, then I am strong”
(2 Corinthians 12:10).
As you face life’s challenges, remember the danger of overconfidence. Don’t make assumptions, or take God for granted. Stay humble and commit every decision to Him, no matter how big or small it might seem to be.
Don’t depend on your own ideas or lean on your understanding. Seek His direction. Obey Him and repent of any sin. Stay sensitive to His Spirit. And stand on His Word. Place your absolute trust and confidence in Him.