Failure? " Get Up"

Joshua 7:1-26

I don't know of anybody who doesn't feel like quitting after a great failure. Joshua has come off a great win from Jericho and now is ready to defeat his second territory Ai. He takes 3000 of his warriors but ends up discouraged and defeated running for their lives, losing 36 of his men.

What could have gone wrong? Were we not called to go in and possess the land? Has God changed His mind? The people were saying; "We should have stayed in the wilderness."

Joshua was on his knees and face weeping before the Lord and God comes and says; "Get Up, there is sin in the camp. Someone has taken of the gold, silver and the expensive garments and hid them in their tent." God was very clear that the first-part, the first win, the first city belongs to me.

Joshua was instructed to take the first part and place it in the treasury of God. Jericho was the first win of the ten cities that they would fight. God takes offense when we take the first-part, the first win, the first part of the check. God doesn't take it lightly when we steal from him. God instructs Joshua to uncover the wickedness of Achan's sin before Israel can move forward.

Israel deals with Achan and his family. They are taken and stoned, burned with fire. All the people realize the importance of giving God the first part, the first win. So many wonder why they're not living under God's blessings? Do you take the first -part? Have you placed within your possessions the tithe? God cannot and will not bless you when you choose to take what belongs to him. God warns us not to rob from Him. (Malachi 3:8-10)

When Joshua recovers what has been taken, he places the first- part in the treasury of God. Now they are ready for battle. Now they are ready to move forward. Now they are again under God's blessings. Now they can expect God's favor and blessings on their journey. Ai will now be defeated because everything has been placed in order.

Don't take another step until you have placed in order the first-part that belongs to God, and victory will be yours. He is no respecter of persons. "Get Up" Victory and Triumph belongs to the people of God.

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