Triumphing in Christ, Part 2

Joshua 7:1 But the children of Israel committed a trespass regarding the accursed things, for Achan…took of the accursed things; so the anger of the LORD burned against the children of Israel.

Joshua had just experienced the first triumph in the Promised Land—the victory at Jericho. He had God’s command to take the land, he’d sought the Lord, and obeyed Him in circumcising the uncircumcised males and in celebrating the Passover. Then he received specific instructions from the Lord in how to “lead in triumph.” The battle of Jericho was a resounding success.

Yet Joshua made a classic error with little Ai, a city which “should have been easy” to conquer: he never took the time to seek the Lord, presumed victory, and proceeded on the basis of a plan that made sense to him. It was a terrible defeat.

Joshua sought the Lord as to why. After pouring out his heart to the Lord, the Lord said, “Get up! Why do you lie thus on your face? Israel has sinned, and they have also transgressed My covenant which I commanded them. For they have even taken some of the accursed things, and have both stolen and deceived; and they have also put it among their own stuff.” (Joshua 7:10-11)

God led them to the right man, and he was judged. Then the Lord gave the specific plan to Joshua, and Ai was taken.

There is only one thing that can slow down or stop the victory path of God in your life, and that is sin. Thankfully, Jesus has paid the penalty for all of our sin, if we are His!

Asking, “Lord, where am I missing it?” is one of the best prayers you can pray. The answer may be “Nowhere,” but it never hurts to ask and then open our hearts to hear the answer.

If we do see sin in our lives, then that is the place where His victory is supposed to be seen next. Our plan may have been for His triumph to be seen somewhere else. Yet on our way to that triumph, God wants us to experience the victory of repentance and His forgiveness.

Remember that path of triumph when you find sin in your life. He knows we’re going to stumble at times along the triumphal path. So after the initial shock of discovery, thank Him for revealing our sin, and thank Him again for providing the victory for it in His death and resurrection. Remember, He knew it was there in the pathway all along—even before He called you to walk there!

Prayer: Lord, I see that sin can prevent me from experiencing Your victories, and can slow me down from walking in that path of triumph. But thank You that as I repent of the sin You show me, I can experience Your victory right away—over my sin and over the condemnation the enemy so often wants to bring along with it. Thank You that your path of victory has always included Your provision for my sin.