Joshua 8:1–2: “Then the LORD said to Joshua: ‘Do not be afraid, nor be dismayed; take all the people of war with you, and arise, go up to Ai. See, I have given into your hand the king of Ai, his people, his city, and his land. And you shall do to Ai and its king as you did to Jericho and its king. Only its spoil and its cattle you shall take as booty for yourselves. Lay an ambush for the city behind it.'”

March 29th, 2023 by Pastor Ed in devotional

Since Israel had dealt with the secret sin that Achan had brought into the midst of the people, God was ready to bless the nation again. Here He promised Joshua that there was no longer any reason for fear. Their earlier defeat at Ai was a good reason to be fearful and hesitant, but God promised that since the sin that caused the first defeat had been eliminated, He would give Ai into Joshua’s hand. This time they were to take the whole army against the city, and this time the spoils would belong to the people.

After the battle of Jericho all the spoils of the battle were to be given to God. Jericho was to be the first fruits of the land captured by Israel. Achan had violated that command, which led to the defeat at Ai. The first key to regaining victory was to receive encouragement from God. He said, “Do not be afraid nor be dismayed,” over what happened in the past. What’s past is past. Of course, we must deal with it before God through repentance and by dying to self, but then we look forward to what He has for us right now. God gave them a specific plan for victory and it included being allowed to keep the spoil from the city of Ai. How foolish the sin of Achan seems now! He would have had all his heart’s desire, if he had only waited on the Lord for it. Therein lies a truth for us too. God will not withhold any good thing from His children (Psalm 84:11). David said in Psalm 40:1: “I waited patiently for the LORD; And He inclined to me, And heard my cry.” If only we would learn to wait on the LORD for His timing.

“LORD, help me to wait patiently on You to meet my needs.”