Victory Starts with Repentance

Have you ever struggled to overcome a sin or intrusive thoughts, only to feel defeated?

You're not alone—God’s people, the Israelites, faced this same struggle time and time again.

Today, we’ll look at a moment in their history where one act of disobedience led to failure, but through repentance and seeking God’s wisdom, they found victory once again.

Let’s Set the Stage

The Israelites have just recently come off a triumphant victory at Jericho

We have all heard this story.

And God gave them a commandment at this victory:

Joshua 6:18–19 NIV

But keep away from the devoted things, so that you will not bring about your own destruction by taking any of them. Otherwise you will make the camp of Israel liable to destruction and bring trouble on it. All the silver and gold and the articles of bronze and iron are sacred to the Lord and must go into his treasury.”

Seems like a pretty easy task right?

Jesus gave us instructions as well that seem simple and lead to us prospering: Love your God, and Love your neighbor as yourself.

But what we will find in this story is that the Israelites couldn't even keep this simple commandments.

And we find ourselves doing the same thing with the commandment we have been given.

1. Don’t Underestimate the Power of Sin

Joshua 7:1 NIV

But the Israelites were unfaithful in regard to the devoted things; Achan son of Karmi, the son of Zimri, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of them. So the Lord’s anger burned against Israel.

I feel we do the same thing in our lives where we ignore certain things that God calls us to do, because we don’t think it will “be that bad.”

Or maybe even sometimes if we are honest with ourselves we abuse God’s Grace.

And then maybe we think that we can go on and fight our daily battles are own way?

Just like us, Israel thought they could handle things on their own.

But ignoring God's instructions always has consequences.

Joshua 7:2–3 NIV

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.”

Israel saw the problem and said “no big deal we got this on our own”

They didn’t seek God’s guidance and wisdom as they previously did at Jericho.

So now we have two problems : The sin of Achan and the lack of divine guidance.

Joshua 7:4–5 NIV

So about three thousand went up; but they were routed by the men of Ai, who killed about thirty-six of them. They chased the Israelites from the city gate as far as the stone quarries and struck them down on the slopes. At this the hearts of the people melted in fear and became like water.

So What Happens Next

Joshua was so discouraged that he fell to his face, in sadness and hopelessness and this is what God told him!

Joshua 7:10–12 NIV

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.

The words God gave Joshua are so powerful and I am convinced that we can learn from them today.

Maybe God wants us to stop sitting in our sorrow and stand up and address the problem head on.

And that problem may be a sin that is keeping you and those around you down.

So here is what Joshua did

He brought the tribes before him and the Lord until the offender was discovered.

Joshua 7:19–20 NIV

Then Joshua said to Achan, “My son, give glory to the Lord, the God of Israel, and honor him. Tell me what you have done; do not hide it from me.” Achan replied, “It is true! I have sinned against the Lord, the God of Israel.

As a result of his sin, he and his family were stoned and burned to death.

Joshua 7:25 NIV

Joshua said, “Why have you brought this trouble on us? The Lord will bring trouble on you today.” Then all Israel stoned him, and after they had stoned the rest, they burned them.

The sin of Achan effected his family and the whole community

What we don’t realize is our sins don’t just effect us but it effects all those around us!

2. Repentance Leads to Renewal

Now that the Israelites have repented and removed the sin from their camp. They have renewal of God’s blessings and can face their enemy with God in their corner.

Joshua 8:1–2 NIV

Then the Lord said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Take the whole army with you, and go up and attack Ai. For I have delivered into your hands the king of Ai, his people, his city and his land. You shall do to Ai and its king as you did to Jericho and its king, except that you may carry off their plunder and livestock for yourselves. Set an ambush behind the city.”

Biblical definition of repentance is: a change of attitude and action from sin toward obedience to God.

When repent form our sins and we are saying we are no longer allowing ourselves to live in our sins and turn toward full faith and obedience to God.

It is something that can be so freeing and renewing to our spirits.

3. Victory Requires God’s Wisdom

So now that they have identified their sin, and repented, they are now ready to fight their adversary God’s way.

Joshua 8:2 NIV

You shall do to Ai and its king as you did to Jericho and its king, except that you may carry off their plunder and livestock for yourselves. Set an ambush behind the city.”

I want to point out that ambush was a military tactic used quite often in the Ancient Near East.

This difference with this ambush is that it was instructed by God.

Perfect example would be AA and how they no longer require God to be your divine inspiration. This may work for a while but it wont lead to ultimate victory over your sin.

This divine guidance led to the defeat of Ai and more. This time they were allowed to keep the spoils of war instead of devoting it all to the Lord.

This is a prime example of how if we can just be patient God will bless us even more that we can possible imagine.

Achan couldn't wait and missed out on the reward from Ai.

God has something special in store for all of us if we can just be patient.

Final Takeaway

You can’t live in victory without God.

Sin will always lead to defeat, but through repentance, renewal, seeking His wisdom, we can overcome.

Whether you are a new believer or have walked with Christ for years, this is a daily battle.

Let him be our champion!

Jesus understood the impact sin has on us.

Luke 5:32 ESV

I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”

So today I want you to ask your self these questions:

What sin is holding you back?

Are you fighting on your own or are you seeking God’s guidance?

Jesus Can Free Us and the Holy Spirit will guide us through these battles.

Invitation

If you’re struggling today

whether with sin, doubt, or spiritual battle

Jesus is calling you to repentance and victory.

Don’t leave here today without taking that step!