Title Cause of Defeat
Contents
Hymn: 384 “My Lord Is a Strong City”
Confession of Faith: Apostles' Creed
Meditation: What is Achan in me?
Text: “The children of Israel have sinned because of the sacrifices… The LORD was angry with the children of Israel...” (Joshua 7:1-5)
Word: The nation of Israel was a people prepared for victory. The army led by Joshua, who had always been victorious, was defeated in the Battle of Ai. This was an unusual result. Joshua asked God why he was defeated.
Even those of us who believe in Jesus sometimes experience defeat in our lives. At such times, we too should ask God.
Let's take a closer look at the cause of the defeat of Joshua's army in today's text.
First, the indirect reason for the defeat of the Israeli army is that they did not ask God before the war. “God, can we go?” “Is this the time for us to hit Ai Castle?” They just thought this would be enough. And underestimated the enemy. Allies, on the other hand, overestimated it. I didn't do my best, saying, 'It will be around 2000~3,000 people.' What we should remember from these verses is that we should ask God before we act. And, no matter how small, you have to do your best.
The second and most direct cause of defeat is Achan's crime. After the victory, God commanded them not to take the spoils, but Achan disobeyed and hid some of the spoils in his tent.
When we lose in life's problems, the first thing we need to do is ask God what our sins are. This is because life and sin that are not sanctified before God are the reasons that limit God's victory. Even if my strength is ready and God helps me, I cannot win if I am not sanctified. In the end, Joshua got rid of Achan, who had sinned, and led all the people back to the battlefield. And we won.
Our failure in life is not because of our own lack of wisdom or ability. In order to do any work, you must first examine your unsanctification before God.
What is Achan in me? I hope that you will find and eliminate them before God and continue to live a victorious life.
Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to realize that I am not sanctified before you, and help me to live victoriously with a pure heart. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Lord's Prayer