- And I and all the people who are with me will approach the city. And when they come out against us just as before, we shall flee before them. Joshua 8:5 – Sometimes what we do as Christians will look very foolish to the rest of the world. Like here in our passage, we have the army of Israel, who has God fighting for them, turning and fleeing. Can you imagine what that must have looked like to their enemy? Thing is though, this was all planned out and had to happen in order for their victory to be won. For us, victory might take us doing some things that look foolish to the world. Like trusting in a God you can’t see, forgiving someone who really hurt you, or even showing love to someone who by worldly standards doesn’t deserve it. That sort of stuff doesn’t make since to the rest of the world, but it’s what we as Christians are called to do. While we may be mocked for those sort of actions due to their “foolishness” in the world’s eyes, these are the very things that will bring about victory in our lives and others. Don’t let the way you follow God be determined by those who don’t follow Him. You know what you’ve been called to and as foolish as others may say it is, you know it’s the path that’s right. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac
- Joshua 8 Daily DEVO And you shall do to Ai and its king as you did to Jericho and its king. Only its spoil and its livestock you shall take as plunder for yourselves. Lay an ambush against the city, behind it. Joshua8:2 – If Achan would have just waited on God he would have came out with so much more. See in the previous chapter a guy name Achan during one of the attacks took for himself some of the valuables of the city, something God specifically told them not to do. As a result he not only had to give up all that stuff he took, but he lost his life as well. If he would have just listened to what God said and followed it, not only would he be alive but would have his chance at all the spoils he could carry. We need to make a habit of following what God says, even when at first it seems like we are being given the short end of the deal. We aren’t. God’s plan is to bless us, the blessing though may come after the second battle and not the first. Are you willing then to faithfully follow God in the first battle knowing that the blessing may not come till after your second, third, or tenth battle? Have confidence that God’s not in the business of leaving the children He loves un-taken care of. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1172
- Joshua 8 – Pastor Mac Daily DEVO At that time Joshua built an altar to the Lord, the God of Israel, on Mount Ebal…Joshua 8:30 – What time was “that time?” Israel had just defeated the city of Ai, a city in the last chapter they had just tried to defeat but lost that battle royally. Now instead of tasting defeat, a massive victory was theirs with spoils even to enjoy. Yet what was Joshua’s posture after the victory? He gave praises to the Lord. Often we can find ourselves handling our walk with God like Joshua when it came to the defeat by Ai. Coming to God, asking questions, ready to give up because things aren’t working out like we thought they would. Yet when it comes to how Joshua came to the Lord after the defeat of Ai, there we may not find ourselves imitating as often. We’ll approach God in the heavy but we may forget to approach Him in the blessing. The example we see set by Joshua is one we truly should take note of. Yes, always be approaching the Lord when life isn’t going as you hoped it would, but when life is going well, approach Him then too. Whether defeat or victory, God is present with us in them both. So whether it is defeat or victory, let’s find ourselves in the presence of the God who is with us either way. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2467
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