Joshua 7:7

And Joshua said, Alas, O Lord God, wherefore hast thou at all brought this people over Jordan, to deliver ya into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? would to God we be content, and dwelt on the other side of Jordan!

Today we head into the third round of the pool play in the WGC Matchplay Championship. Many will be teeing it up with literally no chance of making it to the next round because of losing both matches or being in a pool with a player who has won both his matches. It would be easy to get an earlier flight out of Austin to get a head start on Masters preparations. The Bible gives us guidance when we feel we are in a “no win” situation and feel like giving up. The men suffered great defeat at the hands of the undermanned Amorites. Joshua immediately questioned the purpose of this result and exclaimed they would have been better off to staying on the other side of Jordan. In Joshua 7, we see that holy men are subject to the same desires and doubts as the world. When things do not go as we intend, we ask “why God?” We often may not understand the reason for our current dire situation. This chapter teaches us to not to sorrow in defeat, but we are to further seek God. In these temporary afflictions, we must determine whether it is the result from a secret sin or a carnal action without the Spirit guiding. If so, we must cleanse ourselves of the impurity. It is then, the Christian is able to grow stronger with the mindset that victory is ultimate our promised result. My prayer today is to accept life sometimes deals us temporary defeat. I desire to draw nearer to our Savior to discern His will especially in times of turmoil. If it is the result of my transgression, I offer a prayer of repentance and a renewal of a close relationship.