In Joshua 7 & 8, the Israelites lost their first battle and 36 men. God promised them this land, but they had sin in the camp. We cannot be victorious in God and entertain sin at the same time. God gives us victory over our enemy, but we first have to turn, repent, and let Jesus cleanse us and purify us. Sin is not an individual affair - it affects families, friends, and even nations. God tells His people to "Get up", cleanse themselves, and go. He still wants them to move into His will for their lives. He still has victory waiting. God does not give up on us. After they cleanse the nation from the sin that had infiltrated in, God gives them that victory. God will help us through our battles. He will give us the strength and power needed to get through, but we have to do our part. God defeated sin and death with His amazing rescue plan through Jesus. It's up to us to lay down ourselves and choose Him. It's up to us to proclaim our faith and victory through Christ. It's eternally worth it.
