Day 132

Saturday, January 19

Read Joshua 8

Think About It:

1. In verse 1, the Lord reassures Joshua, “Do not be afraid, nor be dismayed; take all the people of war with you, and arise, go up to Ai.” This alludes that the sin of Achan, and the consequences of it, had been a great discouragement to Joshua. Corruptions within the church weaken the hands and dampen the spirits of her leaders more than oppositions from outside the church. Joshua dealt with the failure and had to move on. What is God saying to the church today in this chapter? Have you ever had to pay the consequences of others’ sins? Have you enjoyed the blessings of someone else’s obedience?
2. God blessed the obedience of Joshua with victory at Ai. The end of the chapter shows the camp of Israel drawn out into the field, not to engage the enemy, but to offer sacrifice, to hear the law read, and to say Amen to the blessings and the curses. The curses pronounced on Mount Ebal would immediately have been executed if atonement had not been made by sacrifice. By the sacrifices offered on this altar they did give God the glory for the victories they had obtained. Have you given God your worship for the victories He has given you in your life? Count your many blessings, name them one by one!
3. Start a “Blessings” book. Take a small notebook and record 1-3 blessings each day—each day should be something new. Try it and see what happens!

Family Time:

1. What did Joshua do to celebrate God giving them the victory? Why do you think he did these things?
2. Why would Joshua have reason to be afraid?
3. Who is giving them the victory?
4. What are some areas in your life that you want victory?
5. When you have a victory in your life, do you give God the glory?