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Strategy

             There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord. The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the Lord. (Proverbs 21:30-31)

 

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, (Joshua 7:2-4)

 

It’s Sunday morning as I write this, and if you read my comments on my “Rest, Relaxation…” post, you’ll know that I’m struggling this morning. I suspect I’m a tired child who is determined to stay awake, and therefore I’m cranky. It’s supposed to be my day of rest, and the last things I want to do are nothing and rest. Echoes of Genesis 3 bounce through my mind. A whole day without accomplishing and doing? The idea is painful to the ego.

Yesterday’s post comes to mind as well. The enemy’s goal – take and destroy. The passage from Joshua also comes to mind. He didn’t ask God about the taking of Ai. It was just a little town. And disaster followed. What if he had asked God? Could the defeat have been prevented? But what if he had asked God, and then gone off and done what he (Joshua) “knew” to be better?

God says “rest.” God calls me to spend time with Him. But I want to accomplish. When I think about resting, even that becomes an activity to master, something I’m doing to prove myself. In other words, “Did God say, ‘Rest’?” Did God forbid me accomplishment today? But, those new valences will look nice… but I have a book to edit … but I have books to read… I want to take up my weapons against God. How dare He tell me to spend time with Him, not exercising my control over my little corner of the universe? How dare He interfere with my plans?

This is the point of battle, and we have a choice. We can either lay it before God and do as the Master Strategist commands, or we can go off on our own – and face the consequences. 

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