Key scripture – “That is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies….” (Joshua 7:12).

Battle commanders want to know the vulnerabilities of their enemies. Companies want to know the vulnerabilities of their competition. We also need to know our spiritual vulnerability.

The Key scripture today is what God told Joshua when he attempted to go against a small army at Ai, which was the Israelites’ second battle in the Promised Land.

Sometimes we try to figure out why we are not successful in an endeavor from a worldly perspective. We look at all aspects of our performance to see what went wrong. Perhaps our strategy was flawed or our timing was off or we were just not convincing enough.

For the people of Israel, it was not easily seen on the surface. Everything seemed just as it should be from Joshua’s vantage point, so when his army was soundly defeated, he cried out to God, “Ah, Sovereign Lord, why did You ever bring this people across the Jordan to deliver us into the hands of the Amorites to destroy us?” (Joshua 7:7a).

The people had been defeated because God could not bless them. One person had violated the covenant with God. God had told them that they were not to take any possessions from the first battle, but one person failed to be obedient and the whole army suffered.

“The Lord said to Joshua, “Stand up! What are you doing down on your face? Israel has sinned; they have violated my covenant, which I commanded them to keep. They have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen, they have lied, they have put them with their own possessions. That is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies; they turn their backs and run because they have been made liable to destruction. I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy whatever among you is devoted to destruction. “Go, consecrate the people. Tell them, ‘Consecrate yourselves in preparation for tomorrow; for this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: There are devoted things among you, Israel. You cannot stand against your enemies until you remove them.”
(Joshua 7:10-13).

Sin makes our armor vulnerable to attack from Satan, who then gains permission from God to attack us in the area where we have failed to uphold righteousness. If our moral purity breaks down, then Satan comes in and establishes a stronghold. If we are unwilling to forgive others, then we all a root of bitterness to grow in our heart and we break fellowship with God and others. If we become money-focused, we will fall into greed and deception. It is a vicious cycle.

Examine your armor today. Make sure you are not susceptible to attack. Confess your sin and turn away from it, and your chances of success will be great.

Pray this- Our Precious Heavenly Father, show me if there is a chink in my armor because of any iniquity in my heart or any unconfessed sin in my life, and I will confess it, repent and turn away from it. For You Lord are righteous, You love righteous deeds, and the upright will behold Your face. (Psalm 11:7). So this day I chose to walk in the path of righteousness, and walk upright and blameless because I want my life to be pleasing to You and I want to live in fellowship with You. I want an upright heart. I choose to listen to You, follow You, and be obedient to Your Word. I rejoice in You and take refuge in You. This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses that I choose life not death and blessings not curses. I choose to love the Lord, my God, and hold fast to Him. You Lord are my life, my provider, my joy, my peace, my rock, my firm foundation, my steady hand, my protector, my Savior. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.