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Buck It Up In Faith
John TiltonJoshua 7:2-5 Now Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is near Beth Aven to the east of Bethel, and told them, “Go up and spy out the region.” So the men went up and spied out Ai. When they returned to Joshua, they said, “Not all the army will have to go up against Ai. Send two or three thousand men to take it and do not weary the whole army, for only a few people live there.”So about three thousand went up; but they were routed by the men of Ai, who killed about thirty-six of them. They chased the Israelites from the city gate as far as the stone quarries and struck them down on the slopes. At this the hearts of the people melted in fear and became like water.
Like the men who spied out Ai, we often misinterpret situations underestimating what is at hand, only later to run in to challenge that cause us to lose heart or be filled with doubt. Imagine what Joshua and the people of Israel experienced in terms of God’s miracles and faithfulness; only to doubt, lose heart and melt with fear in the eye of challenge due to their own cause. We later learn that God tells Joshua to buck it up.
I want to be reminded by this that there will be great days and challenging days, great times and challenging situations. However, it is in those challenging times and situations that I need to remember God’s faithfulness, miracles and answered prayers that I would not lose heart, doubt or become fearful. I want to be able to stand on God’s promises and in His power. I want to be self-motivated to buck it up and stand strong in the Lord.
Lord, thank you for again reminding me of my mind and the perspective of faith, trust and power in you when I come upon challenging times and situations. May my heart be strong, may my focus be on you and may I be stalwart in my persistence to follow in your way.
