Returning to God’s Will
The Lord said to Joshua: "Don't be afraid, neither be dismayed: take all the people of war with you, and arise, go up to Ai; behold, I have given into your hand the king of Ai, and his people, and his city, and his land." — Joshua 8:1
As children of obedience, do not conform yourselves according to your former lusts as in your ignorance. — 1 Peter 1:14
Author
Faustino de Jesús Zamora Vargas
Summary: As we return to God’s will, we acknowledge our sin and our need for his guidance. Joshua humbled himself after the defeat and, when he faced Ai again, obeyed God’s plan instead of relying on his reputation. We too must remember that the church’s mission comes from God: our plans require his Word, organization, and discipline. His promises do not remove the need for consecration, holiness, and obedience. After every victory, we should praise him, thank him, and reaffirm the central place of Jesus and his Word. Even if sin has brought us to a halt, we can get back on course and trust in the presence of the faithful God.
When we return to God’s plans, the Christian life is secure and solid. Joshua learned the lesson, humbled himself before the Lord (Joshua 7:6), and refocused his mission of accompanying the people as their military and spiritual leader. Today we do not tear our garments or cover our bodies with sackcloth to show the shame brought on by our sinful acts.
But the Lord does not overlook the repentant heart that acknowledges the wrongfulness of its actions. Jesus is the way. Turning back to the path, recognizing that we are weak and need Him so as not to lose our sense of divine direction, is intelligent and wise.
The church draws up evangelism plans to fulfill the Great Commission, but it often forgets that the mission comes from God and belongs to God. The church’s plan begins with His vision. The strategy rests on obeying His Word and ensuring that it is obeyed. Then, and only then, can the victory be complete.
The term promise is quite often misinterpreted. God makes promises, but He requires sacrifices, demands consecration, calls for holiness, and urges obedience. The promises do not come without cost, nor are they easy to attain. The Christian life is not the Garden of Eden, but an adventure of conquests with God leading the way, trusting in His Word, obeying His precepts, and imitating Christ.
Joshua once again went into battle against the city of Hai. This time he would not be blinded by the fame he had gained since the victory at Jericho. Now he was accompanied by a renewed feeling of gratitude to the Lord and a burning desire to obey His commands. He organized the forces and followed God’s plan. When Joshua stretched out his spear toward Hai (Joshua 8:18) at God’s command, the people knew that victory was assured. Everything was done according to His will.
The Lord inspires dreams and visions in leaders today, but they cannot be realized without divine direction; they cannot be fulfilled without organization and discipline; they cannot be attained without making His Word their foundation. And what should our attitude be after a victory? Joshua built an altar and offered sacrifices (Joshua 8:30). The church should do no less than praise Him and express its gratitude. Joshua wrote a copy of the Book of the Law and read it to all the people after the victory. The church must not forget that the Word of God is the foundation and Jesus is the center of its fulfillment as a spiritual body.
God often leads us into certain “Hai-like” events to test our faithfulness and measure our obedience. Again and again, we need to refocus on His Word. Victories in Christ should renew in His church the passion of its first love, the enthusiasm of returning to His will. Obedience provides direction for posterity and for the future of the body of Christ, instills courage, and strengthens its strong points. “Hai” can always be reconquered. We can get back on course, we can do the Lord’s will, we can remove the sin that immobilizes us, and finally, we can count on the abiding presence of the faithful and merciful God.
May God bless His Word!
Suggested reading: Joshua 8