"The Lord said to Joshua, Stand up! What are you doing down on your face?"  

Joshua 7:10 (NIV)

God had promised Joshua there would not be a man who would be able to stand against him, but now he finds himself sunk into disappointment and defeat. What Joshua once knew to be an absolute truth, he now questions. Joshua and Israel experienced an incredible victory over the mighty Jericho, but in their very next battle they face a devastating defeat at the hands of Ai; a much inferior force. What Joshua didn't realize at the time was that a man in the camp had taken goods from Jericho that God had forbidden the people to take. Israel had disobeyed God, and that disobedience brought defeat, not God's inability to follow through with His Word.

God tells Joshua to "Stand Up"! He's basically telling Joshua to stop feeling sorry for himself, and do something about the sin of Israel. Well, that exactly what Joshua does, and when their sin problem is taken care of victory ensues, just as God had promised! Sometimes we can be like Joshua, sunk down into disappointment, questioning God's Word. When things don't work out like you think and you face defeat, don't lay down in it; stand up! Stand up and examine your life; is there a sin problem? Are you in a partnership with someone who has a sin problem? Or, perhaps it's not because of sin you failed; perhaps the attack of the enemy was more then you were ready for. Whatever the reason, STAND UP, make whatever adjustments that are needed, and continue forward in faith, trusting in God's Word! One of my favorite football coaches, Vince Lombardi, was once quoted as saying, "Everyone gets knocked down, but not everyone gets back up." If you've been knocked down, whether by sin or the enemy, STAND BACK UP!!

"Test yourselves to make sure you are solid in the faith. Don't drift along taking everything for granted. Give yourselves regular checkups. You need firsthand evidence, not mere hearsay, that Jesus Christ is in you. Test it out. If you fail the test, do something about it." 2 Corinthians 13:5 (MSG)