Winning small battles is important – just as important as winning large battles as far as God is concerned. In fact, the small battles help you to mature spiritually so you won’t give up easily when a large battle comes you way.
Joshua 6 tells the story of how God gave Joshua and the Israelites an awesome victory over Jericho. That victory was obtained in an awesome way.
They were instructed by God to put the singers first – not the soldiers.
They were to walk around the city one time for 6 days, then 7 times consecutively on the 7th day. And right before their eyes the thick wall surrounding the city fell in. They had easy access to claim the victory.
All they had to do to was follow God’s instructions exactly.
He had specifically told them not to take any material thing from Jericho. This first city was to be His as a tithe offering. He gave them exact instructions as to what to do with the material bounty they took from the city.
But Achan saw all the riches, and decided to take some things and hide them in his tent.
Nobody must have noticed, and he got away with it for awhile. But the most important person – GOD – saw him.
For his actions, the whole tribe had to suffer a terrible and humiliating defeat at a tiny place called Ai. It should have been easy to conquer after the hugely fortified and walled city of Jericho.
Joshua couldn’t understand what had happened. And he cried out to God to show him why they had been defeated.
So God revealed the truth. He had told them specifically before they went into battle that the city of Jericho was “accursed” (doomed or dedicated for destruction.) He also plainly told them to stay away from the riches of the “accursed” thing or they would become “accursed” themselves.
Achan had been plainly told there would be consequences for his actions. But he must have reasoned with himself that he would never get caught.
Winning small battles is important, and it definitely ended up being important for Achan.
The Israelites didn’t know they were in trouble until they went into battle the next time. They resoundingly lost what should have been an extremely easy battle.
Joshua 7: 1 “But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan… took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the Lord was kindled against the children of Israel.”
God would no longer fight for Israel until they got rid of the “accursed” things.
Achan and his family paid the ultimate price for disobeying God. He took a beautiful garment, 200 shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of 50 shekels weight. In the end he paid an extreme price for his sin. PLUS it not only affected him, but every member of his family.
All Satan wants is for you to give him a small opening. Then he will keep poking and prodding until he has enlarged it enough to form a stronghold to hide behind. Winning small battles is important for Satan. He knows if he can win all the small ones, the large ones will come much easier.
He wants to make the stronghold as large and strong as possible so that it will take some effort to get rid of. Many people will just accept that they have to live with it. And he hopes you will be one of them.
He wants to convince you that you can never be free. But God wants to show you that you can have victory if you trust in Him to give you strength and discernment to fight the battle.
Joshua 8: 1-8 tells us that God does give second chances when we walk in obedience to what He says.
The Israelites were able to take the city of Ai easily with God working supernaturally on their behalf.
God wants you to live your life in such a way that you are willing to walk in obedience to whatever He tells you to do.
He wants to work in a supernatural way in your everyday life to do things that only He can get the credit for.
His mercy and grace are astounding. He wants to take your mistakes and messes, and turn them into awesome victories for His Kingdom.
You are greatly loved and uniquely special to the LIVING GOD. He truly does have BIG plans for your life.
NEVER give Satan even the slightest opening to cause havoc and destruction in your life or the life of your family. As soon as you realize you have gotten off track, immediately swallow your pride and repent before God.
Satan will put every excuse in your mind as to why you should not repent. And he will tailor his excuses to fit your personality. Because he knows your faults and flaws.
His ultimate goal is to first, keep you from accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior.
If that doesn’t work, he wants to keep you from having a close relationship with God.
He doesn’t mind if you believe in God. He just doesn’t want you to live your life in a way that you can be USED by God.
It’s not too late to tear down strongholds that have kept you in bondage. God will help you tear down those strongholds, give you forgiveness, and help you start in a new direction.
Satan won’t like it, but you don’t have to let him win any longer. Choose obedience to God over everything else and let Him give you victory over any area where Satan has gained control.
