SATURDAY 17TH SEPT.,2016

TOPIC: HANDLING YOUR FAILURES (1)
TEXT: Joshua 7:5 “And the men of Ai struck down about thirty-six men, for they chased them from before the gate as far as Shebarim, and struck them down on the descent; therefore the hearts of the people melted and became like water…”

Even the most seasoned believers experience failure and the big question at such times isn’t, ‘How could I have let that happen, but ‘what’s the right way to deal with it? Indulging in self-condemning thoughts comes naturally to us but it does no good. It just produces discouragement, and adds failure upon failure. As a result of Achan’s sin Israel was defeated at Ai and fled before their enemies. Like us, in response to their defeat ‘….the hearts of the people melted, and became like water’. Their faith forsook them, and spirit (was) knocked out of them’ (v.5). Even their leader Joshua ‘…fell on his face (v. 6), despairing that things could only get worse! Have you been in such a situation? Do you recognise the pattern? Defeat, guilt, discouragement, despair, and more defeat.
What was God’s response? ‘Get up. Why are you grovelling? (Crawling). Israel has sinned…So get started. Purify the people….’ (vs 10-13). He’s a God of grace; repentance-—not wallowing in remorse; a God of getting up——not lying down in failure!
Holiness is a path, not a place. When you’re off the path, God’s plan is sample—get back on it immediately. Confess your sin (1 John 1:9).
By faith, accept Gods mercy and forgiveness over any wrong Committed for healing to take place and refuse satan’s condemnation (Romans 8:1). ‘…..Forgetting those things which are behind…..press toward the goal…….'(Philippians 3:13-14 NKJV). Like a child learning walk, when you fall don’t lie down and give up Minimise your down-time—get back up and walk again. Remember this: the moment that brings the awareness of sin should also bring the Confession of Sin and the assurance of forgiveness!

MEDITATION: Jn 9:31; 1 Cor 5:8

STUDY THE BIBLE
JN 18:39-19:16; 2CHR 29 ; PS 85