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Homiletical Proposition/Application:

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God is a God of Reassurance and Restoration (1-2)

God reassures his provision.

Failure is part of life. We have within us a sin nature and while sin has been defeated at the cross, that defeat has still to be fully realized in each of us. Coming off of Achen's sin and the first defeat at Ai, I imagine Israel felt defeated and dejected. However, God was still in control and God forgives. Two commands stand out to me in verse 1.

Do not be afraid.

Do not be discouraged.

It is striking that these are the same word that had been used in Joshua 1:9.

What we must realize if we are to live as Christ followers is that yes we do sin, but we serve a God who completely restores.

God completely restores.

Image: Restoring a wall, the Hidden Burger King in Delaware

MTR: Ask yourself, where do I need God's restoration and reassurance?

God does not need us all but he wants us all (3-9)

Joshua took the whole army

Different people had different jobs

Image: training the whole team on WeBWorK instead of just a subset.

MTR: Commit to loyally answering God's call.

God's works are at times obvious but at other times done through His people (10-19).

God's works were clear in Jericho.

In Ai, God chose to work through His People.

Verse 18 reminds us that God was still the one working.

MTR: Look for how God is working through His people.

God is faithful to complete what he has started (20-29).

God provided a complete victory.

God has started working on us (Phil. 1:6)

MTR: Ask yourself, what does it mean to know that God has started to change my heart?

God's words are worth recounting (30-35).

Joshua led the people in covenant renewal.

Joshua led the people in corporate reading of the Bible.

MTR: Commit to reading your Bible daily this week (5 min., 10 min. 30 min. 60 min.)

Joshua 8: Snatching Victory from the Depths of Defeat

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