Text: Joshua 7:10 Micah 7:8, Matthew 27:62; Isaiah 60:1
Rev. (Dr.) David Adenodi
Joshua was born a slave and had become the leader of Israel. As the Israelites were preparing to enter Canaan, He was chosen to go and spy the land. He came back with a good report along with Caleb. Later he was chosen as the leader to succeed Moses, the man of God.
He Led the Israelites from victory to victory. They crossed the river Jordan, and they conquered Jericho.
Later they faced a battle with a tiny nation called AI, and they weredefeated, Joshua fell on his face in despair and said Lord why? And God told him get up. But the question is how do we get up from defeat??
May be we are in a situation where we have been defeated. Financially we may have been defeated; morally we may have been defeated. Emotionally, it may seem that the problems of the world is getting the best of us, I have a good news for you, you can get back up from that defeat, you can get back up from the agony of losing, failure is not the end of your life. We can get back up.
How do we get back up?
(1) Stop questioning God’s character (Verse 7)
Joshua asked God what are you? Something goes wrong and he starts blaming God. He had forgotten all God has done like:
- Taking them out of Egypt (Ex 3)
- Opened the Red Sea (Ex 14)
- Fed them with manner in the wilderness (Ex 16)
- Water from the Rock
Regardless of what we might be facing, God has not changed. He is the Almighty, the “I am that I am,” God has revealed Himself to the Israelites so many ways.
When we face defeat, we must not question God’s Character. Regardless of what happens to us. He cannot change.
(2) We must stop focusing on this one defeat. (Vs
a. We must stop and think of all the blessings he has given us in the past.
b. We must think of the promises of the future. – Jeremiah 33:3
c. The promise of Good health
d. The promise of never to put us to shame.
e. The promise of provision.
f. The promise of answered prayers.
g. The promise of protection.
h. We must forget our defeats and rise up to victory. (Phil 3:13-14)
(3) Stop Worrying about Public Opinion. (Vs 9)
a. Joshua said what would the Canaanites think?
b. If we constantly worry about what people we say, we run a risk of letting them affect our lives and relationship with God.
c. People will say Good things about you one day, but the next they will say something else.
(4) We need to Get UP!!!!!! (Verse 10)
a. The bible says arise and Shine for our light has come. (Isaiah 60:1,
b. We must get up to see the plan of God for our lives. (Jer 33:3)
Please remember a man or woman worth is built, refined, and tested in the fire of life’s trials, you wouldn’t be where you are today if you hadn’t experienced some tribulations, no one who has not experienced struggles and challenges in life becomes a champion, so don’t give up, you will soon laugh.
Rev. David Adenodi (PhD) Senior Pastor Superintendent, Christ Apostolic Church (Vineyard Of Comfort) U S A Member CACNA Coordinating Council
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