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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 prostrate before the ark of the Lord all that evening. Yesterday, he had been a mighty warrior. Now Israel had lost the battle at Ai, all because one of the men with him had become greedy and broken the Lord's commandment concerning Jericho.

When the Israelites crossed the Jordan River and entered the promised land, Jericho was the first city they faced. The Lord told them to take all the gold, silver, and valuables they found at Jericho and to put them in His treasury (Joshua 6:19). It was a "tithe" or "first fruits" offering to the Lord. They were to put God first. Israel could have all the treasure from the rest of the cities, but not the first one. It belonged to God.

One of the soldiers, named Achan, took some of the loot from Jericho and hid it in his tent. Then God turned away from them, and Israel lost the next battle at Ai.

Joshua was betrayed, and though it was not his fault, it certainly affected him. As he lay on his face, crying out to the Lord in pain, hurt, depression, defeat, and wondering what to do next, an answer came.

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

We can make a fresh start in life today, just like this. 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 temporary thrill. To break from the destructive patterns of our past.

If you have something 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: Heavenly 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. Amen!

Note: Today is Thankful Thursday at the "Ladies in Distress" group (our RHM women's group)! You are welcome to join in our weekly sharing of thankfulness for the Lord's presence and any blessings you may have experienced, big or small! "Ladies in Distress" is a private group, so if you have any problems joining, just post anywhere and we will help you :). Here is the link: Ladies in Distress

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