Joshua 7:8,9
‘O Lord, what can I say since Israel has turned their back before their enemies? For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land will hear about it, and they will surround us and eliminate our name from the earth. And what will You do for Your great name?”’
What happened here is that the Israelites came off a great victory over Jericho. This was a big deal. Jericho was a rock solid fortress that was impregnable. Israel had plenty of people, but not much in terms of war fighting abilities. God fought that battle. He caused their walls to tumble down. After that they came across a tiny town called Ai. So small that they didn’t inquire of God and they sent a small force to deal with them. They lost many lives and were chased away. Today’s verses are Joshua’s fears. The real issue is that Israel was unfaithful and disobeyed. One of Israel’s fighters had taken some spoil from Jericho. Which was forbidden. This defeat was God’s punishment and a way to get their attention to deal with the problem.
Joshua’s response is very typical. He catastrophrzes in fear. We think the worst. That’s what we do. We also have an enemy of our souls who implants these thoughts. Joshua had it all wrong. He went several moves down the road in that others nations would attack them upon hearing this.
What should have been done? Proverbs 3:5,6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your understanding. In all you ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.” Joshua was leaning on his own understanding. It’s a natural tendency. However, it leads us into trouble.
How should we handle this? Acknowledge God. Seek Him. Bring the topic up to Him. “Lord, what’s going on? You gave us a stunning victory, now we’ve got a disappointing defeat. It doesn’t make sense. You caused the nations to fear You, now this. What are we to do?
Job demonstrates a great practice in 1:5 of his book, ‘And when the days of feasting were over, Job would send for his children to purify them, rising early in the morning to offer burnt offerings for all of them. For Job thought, “Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular practice.’ He was proactive and prayed for his children. Joshua could have adopted this practice with his people. He probably did after this incident.
We are to bring our worries to Him. I Peter 5:7 says, “casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” We cast them upon Him and out of our minds. Most concerns never amount to anything. 2 Corinthians 10:5 gives us more advice, “We demolish arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” As worrisome thoughts enter our minds, pray about them and don’t let fear run rampant in our thoughts.
God wants us to have hearts resting in Him. Philippians 4:7 says, “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” What’s interesting about this is the reference to our understanding. It’s beyond it. If we attempt to live in the rational, then we miss faith. We trust Him that He will keep us. Joshua’s thoughts were going in the typical ways. But they were wrong. Go to God, cast our cares on Him and trust Him to make sense of it. We might have some actions to perform, some times not. Just trust Him and obey.
Thank You, Lord, that You are in control. Help us to rest in You. Help us to give our worries to You. Allow our hearts to be in perfect peace.