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Yahweh said to Joshua, 'Get up! Why have you fallen on your face like that?' Joshua 7:10 WEB

Joshua lay on his face before the ark of the Lord all evening. Yesterday he was a mighty warrior, but now Israel had lost the first battle at Ai because one of the men with him had broken the Lord's commandment concerning Jericho.

When they crossed the river into the promised land, Jericho was the first city that they faced. All of the gold and silver and valuables were to be brought into the Lord's treasury (Joshua 6:19). It was a 'tithe' or 'first fruits' offering to the Lord.

Israel could have all the rest of the cities, but not the first one. It was God's. Achan took some of the gold from Jericho anyway and hid it in his tent, then God turned away from them, and Israel lost the next battle at Ai.

Joshua was betrayed, and it was not even Joshua's fault, but it certainly affected him. As he lay on his face, crying out to the Lord in pain, hurt, depression, and defeat, he got an answer.

The Lord had a solution: "Get up! Deal with the past, and let's go." He was not to lay there a moment longer, as he was being slowly swallowed in self pity, anxiety, and fear of what might happen because of this defeat. Joshua got up, dealt with it, and was never defeated again.

We can make a fresh start in life today. We can turn around at any point and begin to put God first, believe and trust in Him to take care of us. It is time to draw a line in the sand that we will no longer cross. To commit to the Lord Jesus, and not compromise for a cheap thrill. To break from the destructive patterns of our past.

If you have something that is haunting you today, do what Joshua did: Lay before the Lord and pray until you get your answer. The strength, wisdom, and encouragement to deal with it will soon come. Then make a fresh start with a clean slate, because today is the first day of the rest of your life. Make it count.

Prayer: Father please forgive me of my sins and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. Wash me and I will be clean. Give me a fresh start today. Make my choices clear and speak to me in ways that I understand, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.

Note: Happy New Year! We pray that you each have a very blessed and joyful 2016! Thank you all so much for being part of Refreshing Hope Ministries!