There is a Reason for Every Problem
Joshua was chosen by God to lead the Israelites after the death of Moses. God promised to give him successes and to be with him throughout his leadership (Joshua 1:1-9). "Have not I commended thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest (verse 9)." God assured him of victory over all their enemies including the Hittites, Jebusites, Ammonites, Girgashites and Amorites, but along the way, he was defeated shamefully (Joshua 3:10; 7:2-6). Though he had earlier won a war against the city of Jericho that was more fortified, the Israelites suffered a defeat against an unknown town like Ai.
The people of Israel had witnessed God’s presence and power as they left Egypt and travelled through the desert. God gave them food that fell as dew (manna), divided the Red Sea for them to walk through and gave them water to drink from a rock. The wall of Jericho fell down by shouting, so why should a weak army like that of Ai defeat Israel? There was a reason.
Achan secretly stole some treasures from Jericho and hid them in his room, but God saw him and was angry with the Israelites (Joshua 7:1).The sin of Achan caused the Israelites to lose confidence and the lives of some soldiers. This was not a story of the past. It happens all the time in families, work places, homes and even the church (ecclesia). The curse put on some families in the past continues to disturb the generations till some members see God. "And Elisha said unto him, Whence comest thou, Gehazi? And he said, Thy servant went no whither. And he said unto him. Went not mine heart with thee, when the man turned again from the chariot to meet thee? Is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and olive yards, and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and maidservants? The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee, and unto thy seed for ever.’ And he went out from his presence a leper as white as snow" (2 Kings 5:25-27). Envy can cause people to put obstructions in the path of their compatriots through physical and spiritual means. Job did no wrong, but lost everything (Job 1). Naomi, left Bethlehem on her own to go to the land of Moab and lost everything (Ruth 1:1-5).
People may try very hard to make a life for themselves, only to meet difficulties and defeats all the way. Principalities abound and people need God to deliver them. "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places". If this is our situation, there is a reason for it, "therefore, take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand, therefore, having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" (Eph 6:10-17).
Bro Joseph Oppong (Shama, Ghana)
