Joshua 7:7-11 “And Joshua said, ‘Alas, Lord GOD, why have You brought this people over the Jordan at all—to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? Oh, that we had been content, and dwelt on the other side of the Jordan! 8O Lord, what shall I say when Israel turns its back before its enemies? 9For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land will hear it, and surround us, and cut off our name from the earth. Then what will You do for Your great name?’ 10So the Lord said to Joshua: ‘Get up! Why do you lie thus on your face? 11Israel 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.’”
This passage of scripture highlights the nation of Israel finally entering the Promised Land under the new leadership of Joshua. They have defeated Jericho completely but get routed by the men of the next town, Ai. Joshua was promised victory by the Lord and prays to the Lord the prayer you just read. God is quick to stop Joshua from praying and tells him emphatically, “Get up!” The problem is something that cannot be solved by prayer. More prayer is not going to correct the situation. The answer to sin is the removal of it, not more prayer. God put a halt to Joshua’s praying and quickly announces the diagnosis: “Israel has sinned.” God is adamant about Joshua’s posture before Him. Again He says to Joshua in verse 13, “Get up, sanctify the people, and say, ‘Sanctify yourselves for tomorrow, because thus says the Lord God of Israel: “There is an accursed thing in your midst, O Israel; you cannot stand before your enemies until you take away the accursed thing from among you.’’”
Hear this my friend: the enemy has the upper hand until we get rid of the blockages in our lives. God states that we will live a defeated life until we obey His commands. Try what you will…pray, fast, give, sing, worship…it is all in vain until we get rid of the hindrance and the blockage.
Today, be determined to be fully obedient to God. If there is anything in your life that doesn’t belong, be ruthless in ridding yourself of it so that you can defeat the enemy and live a victorious life!