The Right Way – Failure Is Not Final
Failure is not final, but it matters how we look at it and how we move ahead. Sometimes we think only of “big failures,” but other times we allow our enemy to cause us to fear, doubt, or get distracted simply because we are “just weary,” making it difficult to look ahead and move forward. We read our Bible, we pray, and we work hard, but we are human; we will face mistakes and discouraging moments.
After Israel had been cleansed from Achan’s sin, Joshua prepared to attack Ai again—this time to win. God wants the cycle of sin, repentance, and forgiveness to strengthen us, not weaken us. Joshua is an excellent example of doing the right thing on the second attempt. Once again, God says, “I’ve got this. I have your answer. Listen to me.”
Joshua 8:1 – “Yahweh said to Joshua, ‘Do not yield to fear, nor shrink back because of Israel’s failure.’”
1. DON’T HOLD BACK BECAUSE OF FAILURE
A. Joshua learned lessons that we can follow:
Confess your sins the moment God reveals them to you. Trust that God wants the process to strengthen you.
B. Refocus and move on:
Joshua learned that when you fail, you must refocus on God, deal with the problem, and move on. The lessons we learn from our failures should leave us better equipped to handle the exact same situation the second time around.
We can apply this so often in our personal lives and in ministry. I am continually amazed by how much I keep learning.
2. GET UP, MARCH
Joshua 8:1 – “Now, get up, take all your soldiers with you, and march against Ai.”
A. God still requires obedience.
As you read how this city was taken, there were many specific instructions to obey.
B. It’s time to move forward.
The conquest of Ai was crucial to the Israelites. Located only 11 miles away from Jericho, Ai was a key stronghold for the Canaanites and a buffer fortress for Bethel (8:12). If the Canaanite kings got wind of an Israelite defeat at Ai, they could have united in a coordinated attack. They did not know that God had already restored His power and protection to Joshua’s troops. God’s strategy was to lure the enemy away from the city.
God has a brilliant strategy that brings His victory.
God has the exact strategy you need against your enemy and his tactics.
C. They were to move together.
Joshua 8:1 – “Take all your soldiers with you.”
Joshua 8:3 – “Joshua and his entire army set out to attack Ai.”
How many times do we try to “win the battle” or “take possession” of God’s promise completely alone? We pastored five churches throughout our ministry, and we spent thirty-three years at our last church. Along that journey, we learned that our job is to train a team and do the mission together. That takes hard work, and it requires spending the very time we feel we don’t have—but it is far worth the effort and the wait. When our team was focused together, so much more got done.
Make the effort: bring people alongside you, pour your vision and plan with them, and empower them.
D. They set an ambush.
Joshua 8:9 – “So they left and went to the place of ambush between Bethel and the west side of Ai.”
Joshua 8:12-14 – “That night Joshua sent 5,000 men to lie in ambush between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of the town. So, they stationed the main army north of the town and the ambush west of the town.”
God used an ambush and the element of surprise to bring the victory. We must depend on God with absolute obedience to be sure of the victory He has promised.
3. I WILL HAND IT OVER TO YOU
Joshua 8:18 – “Then the Lord said to Joshua, ‘Point the spear in your hand toward Ai, for I will hand the town over to you.’ Joshua did as he was commanded.”
A. The Lord gave Joshua the city.
B. The strategic move of the spear combined the natural and the supernatural.
God did not perform another miracle like He did at Jericho using trumpets, voices, and processional marches. At Ai, Joshua’s raised javelin was a sign that God would deliver the city into their hands—clearly a supernatural work. This is a beautiful example of how God uses a variety of means to achieve His purposes.
C. They kept the plunder and the livestock.
Joshua 8:2 – “Do to Ai what you did to Jericho and its king, except this time, you may take the plunder, including livestock.”
Why did God allow the Israelites to keep the plunder and cattle this time? Israel’s laws for handling the spoils of war covered two distinct situations:
Cities under God’s ban (judgment for idolatry), like Jericho, could not be looted. God’s people were to be kept holy and entirely separate from every influence of idolatry.
Cities not under the ban allow the normal distribution of captured goods. This was a standard part of warfare that provided the army and the nation with the food, flocks, and weapons needed to sustain themselves in wartime.
Ai was not under the ban, and the conquering army needed food and equipment. Because soldiers were not paid, the plunder served as their incentive and reward for going to war. Not only does God provide variety, but He supplies all that we need.
D. Yesterday’s defeat became today’s victory.
Once sin is dealt with, victory lies ahead. With God’s direction, we do not need to stay discouraged or burdened with guilt. No matter how difficult a setback sin may bring, we must renew our efforts to carry out God’s will.
Joshua 8:28 – “So Joshua burned the town of Ai, and it became a permanent mound of ruins, desolate to this very day.”
Joshua 8:30 – “Then Joshua built an altar to the Lord, the God of Israel, on Mount Ebal.”
Joshua 8:34 – “Joshua then read to them all the blessings and curses Moses had written in the book of instruction.”
Failure is not final; God has the last word! He brings the victory.
CONCLUSION:
Joshua made some grave mistakes during his first attempt, and we studied what happened. But this time, we see that we serve a just and loving God! His mistakes were not final. There was still a city to conquer, and God’s name still had to be proclaimed.
Joshua listened, obeyed, and experienced complete victory. Israel learned that obedience brings reward.
REFLECT:
Do you remember a time you experienced a failure? What did you learn from it?
What are some practical steps you can take when you hit a “low time” or find yourself struggling for whatever reason?
Do you have people in your life who will walk through difficult times with you? If so, name them, and don’t be afraid to ask for their help.