THE GOD OF SECOND CHANCES

FRIDAY JULY 24

“Arise, go up to Ai.” Jos 8:1 NKJV

After suffering a humiliating defeat, God gave Joshua a second chance at victory: “Arise, go up to Ai. See, I have given into your hand the king of Ai, his people, his city, and his land.” The king of Ai, still strutting with pride from victory number one, set out for victory number two. He marched toward Joshua, leaving the town unprotected. Joshua’s elite squad charged in and set fire to it. And Joshua reversed his course, catching the army of Ai in the middle. The victory was complete. Contrast this attack with the first one. In the first attack, Joshua consulted spies; in the second, he listened to God. In the first, he stayed home. In the second, he led the way. The point? God gave Joshua a new plan—“Try again, my way.” And when he followed God’s strategy, victory happened. It always does! Perhaps, like Joshua, you too have suffered a humiliating defeat. If so, here are two things you need to know: (1) Don’t give up on God, for He won’t give up on you. “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon” (Isa 55:7 NKJV). (2) God will give you another chance. Jonah ran from the call of God, but God wasn’t through with him. “Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, ‘Arise, go to Nineveh’” (Jnh 3:1-2 NKJV). He did. And what God did for Joshua and Jonah, He will do for you if you turn to Him.