Setbacks Are Setups For Comebacks

Posted on Jun 23, 2020 in Devotions |

Joshua 7, 8

Introduction: Are you facing any “Setbacks”? Life is full of Setbacks! From health issues to concerns for those we love, to finances, to jobs, to personal struggles… the list goes on. In the book of Joshua, God gives us (3) steps to take in order to turn a “Setback” into a “Comeback”:

Israel’s army, under their competent commander, Joshua, and the good blessings of God, had conquered everything in their path after crossing the Jordan river….. until they came to a place called Ai.

***SETBACK ***

1. Have you ever had a “Setback”?
“So the Lord was with Joshua; and his fame was noised throughout all the country.” (Jos 6:27)
“But the children of Israel committed a trespass….for Achan…took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the Lord was kindled against the children of Israel….And Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai.” (Jos 7:1-9) {Instead of sending a big army after spying it out, Joshua only sent 2,000 to 3,000 men to Ai. They got whooped! Bad!!}
• Joshua asked, WHY? (Jos 7:6, 7)
[When we’re Setback – don’t we ask, “WHY LORD”?]
• Joshua asked, WHAT? (Jos 7:8, 9)
{Examination & Sanctification – Joshua tore his clothes & fell to the ground in humility & brokenness}

2. Do you need to make a “Comeback”? (Jos 7:10-21)
“And the Lord said, Get thee up…..Israel has sinned and they have transgressed my covenant…neither will I be with you anymore, except ye destroy the accursed from among you….Achan said I have sinned…when I saw a goodly Babylonish garment, silver, and gold, then I coveted them, and took them, they are hid in the midst of my tent.”
• What’s the problem? (v. 13)
• How to fix it? (vv 15-25)

3. Are you prepared for a “Takeback”! (Jos 7:25-8:1-35)
“And Joshua said, why trouble us?….And all Israel stoned him….And the Lord said unto Joshua, Fear not, neither be thou dismayed: take all the people of war with thee, and arise, go up to Ai: see, I have given into thy hand the king of Ai….and his land.” {This Time Joshua sent out 30,000 mighty men of valour (v 3)….through a military strategy of retreat and then ambush, God gave them the victory!}
• Fear not (v. 1)
• Have Faith in God (v.1)

Conclusion: We all have “Setbacks” at times. When we do, there needs to be an internal and external examination which should lead to a motivation. Then our “Setbacks” are really meant for a “Comeback” which results in a “Takeback”!

Love y’all,

Dr. Randy Reese