Week 12
Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is beside Beth Aven, on the east side of Bethel, and said, “Go up and spy out the land.”
The men went up and spied out Ai. They returned to Joshua and said to him, “Don’t have all the people go up, but let about two or three thousand men attack Ai, since there are only a few people.” So about three thousand men of the people attacked, but they were routed by the men of Ai, who killed about thirty-six of them. They chased them down the hill and killed them as they fled. When the Israelites saw this, they lost courage. —Josh. 7:2–5
“Many will tell me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, in your name cast out demons, and in your name do many mighty works?’ Then I will tell them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you evildoers!’” —Matt. 7:22–23
God is faithful in calling us and giving us specific quests to carry out. But when we move forward presumptively instead of dependently, our quests fail.
Joshua and his men knew their assignment—to take the land—but in this case, they acted on their own counsel rather than seeking the Lord’s. As a result, they were defeated. Later, after repenting and receiving God’s revised strategy, they were victorious.
In Jesus’ words from Matthew, we see another example of people doing “spiritual” things without actually walking in relationship with him.
Your obedience must be rooted in intimacy, not assumption. God’s power flows through dependence.
Reflection Questions
Are you more likely to wait on the Lord to seek his direction or go your own way in deciding what to do and how to do it? Share specific examples of each from your life.
Lord, what are you teaching me in today’s reading?
Lord, what else have you said to me through thoughts, circumstances, conversations, emotions, or the work of the enemy?
Lord, what do you want me to do: At home? At work? In ministry?