Read Joshua 7:2-5 – Now Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is beside Beth Aven, on the east side of Bethel, and spoke to them, saying, “Go up and spy out the country.” So the men went up and spied out Ai. And they returned to Joshua and said to him, “Do not let all the people go up, but let about two or three thousand men go up and attack Ai. Do not weary all the people there, for the people of Ai are few.” So about three thousand men went up there from the people, but they fled before the men of Ai.And the men of Ai struck down about thirty-six men, for they chased them from before the gate as far as Shebarim, and struck them down on the descent; therefore the hearts of the people melted and became like water. (NKJV)
It’s easy to misunderstand the battle. In this story, the newly-dominant army of the region has become overconfident. That’s an amazing reality since their victory at Jericho was hardly the result of their own military prowess. Thinking that most of the people could sit this one out shows they don’t yet understand what God is seeking to build in them. But we make the same mistake. When we see a battle we think we can handle, we don’t tackle the challenge by trusting in God and relying on others to fight with us. We handle it—and then wonder why we get handled by small challenges. God wanted them to stand together and fight by His direction and strength. That strategy isn’t just for big battles, but for the small ones too—even the ones you think you can handle by yourself.
– Dr. Mike Clarensau serves as Senior Director of the Healthy Church Network of the Assemblies of God.
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