Victory

Josh 8:34, 35 "And afterward he read all the words of the law, the blessings and the cursings, according to all that is written in the Book of the Law. There was not a word of all that Moses had commanded which Joshua did not read before all the assembly of Israel, with the women, the little ones, and the strangers who were living among them."

After a great victory, what do you usually do? Celebrate. Have a party. If you watch the World Series you see the guys in the locker room pouring champagne over each other's heads, shouting and hugging and all that stuff. Later the city that they represent holds a big parade where they can celebrate together. Frankly, if the any of the major three teams in the city of Cleveland won anything, I think the city would shut down for a week because of the euphoria that everyone would experience.

After a great victory over Ai, what did Joshua do? Throw a party? Have a parade? Take a few days off from work? No. This is what he did: "And afterward he read all the words of the law, the blessings and the cursings, according to all that is written in the Book of the Law…(to all) the women, the little ones and the strangers…". You would think that after the children of Israel defeated Ai, a city that had just embarrassed them by killing some of their people and causing their army to flee, that they would have a celebration. Instead they built an altar, gave a sacrifice and read God's word.

This was the leadership that Joshua exhibited. He knew that this victory was not something that came about as a result of his abilities. He knew that this victory did not come about as a result of the army of Israel's power. This victory was from God and he wanted to keep all the people grounded. Not just the army, but the women, children and others who lived among them. He wanted to remind them of the fact that God was in control. God did this. "The horse is prepared for battle, but the victory comes from the Lord." Prov 21:31 Did they have to prepare? Yes. Did they have to make plans? Yes. Did they have to get ready? Yes. Did they have to do something? Yes. But the result was in God's hands and the celebration was acknowledging that.

I have to remember that when anything good comes, when anything successful occurs in my life, when any victory enters my sphere, it is all God. The result should be praise and worship and acknowledgement of who He is and His faithfulness…and a reminder that God's word stands. It is true. It will not ever fail.