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TURNING DEFEAT INTO VICTORY

When you lose ground it can be difficult to regain it. There are many examples of failures by great spiritual men in the Bible. Abraham, Moses, Peter and Paul, to name but a few. We fail but the Lord is there to pick us up. See Psalm 37:23-24.

1. Words of encouragement and reassurance (vs 1-2)

God comes to Joshua during a time when he needs lifting up. It is interesting that God shows love and compassion. He is not waiting to pounce like a lion. God will never leave us or forsake us. Joshua needs the eyes of faith. We need to have faith in what God has told us. We have to take God at his word.

2. The need for a whole new strategy (vs 2-13)

God is not always predictable. There are things about God we will never understand. This time it would not be by walking around the city seven times and shouting. God built his victory from the ashes of previous defeats. They had been over confident. They had taken Jericho easily, so a small city like Ai should pose no problem.

3. Victory led to worship and commitment (vs 14-35)

The Israelites deceive and ambush the armies of Ai. It was a different strategy but the same result. They have victory over the enemy. It is the same God but a different strategy. We have to be prepared to change if we want to be more like Jesus. The old habits have to go - they didn't work! This leads Joshua to worship and commitment.

Worship. God should be praised at all times but it is more sweet in victory!
Writing on stones. It was to commemorate the victory. The glory went to God. It showed their commitment to God now and in the future.