MAY 30
Psalm 108:13, “With God we shall do valiantly; it is he who will tread down our foes.”
In Joshua 6, the Israelites experienced a remarkable victory at Jericho. The battle plan was unconventional—marching around the city walls for seven days, blowing trumpets and shouting. On the surface, it seemed like an unlikely strategy, yet they obeyed God’s command without question. The result? The walls of Jericho collapsed, and the city was handed over to them without any loss of life. This victory was a clear example of the principle found in Psalm 108:13, “With God we shall do valiantly.” The key to Israel’s triumph was not their strength or skill, but their obedience and trust in God’s power. When they followed His lead, God fought for them and delivered a miraculous victory.
However, in Joshua 7, the Israelites faced a painful defeat at Ai, just after their triumph at Jericho. This time, they failed to consult God, assuming they could win without His guidance. Worse yet, the sin of Achan—taking spoils from Jericho that were dedicated to God—brought God’s judgment on the entire nation. The result was a humbling defeat. What went wrong? The difference between the victory at Jericho and the failure at Ai was simple: obedience. When the Israelites acted on their own and disobeyed God’s commands, they experienced failure. It serves as a powerful reminder that without God, we can do nothing.
Psalm 108 echoes this truth: Victory comes only through God’s strength. The same God who brought down the walls of Jericho is the One who guides us in our daily battles. When we trust in His guidance, when we obey His commands, and when we rely on Him, we will find victory—just as the Israelites did at Jericho. But when we stray from His will or rely on our own strength, we will face defeat.
This psalm invites us to reflect on where we place our trust. Are we leaning on our own abilities, or are we humbly surrendering to God’s direction? May we remember that true victory comes when we rely on the One who is always faithful to lead us to triumph.
“Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God.”—2 Corinthians 3:5
Application questions: In what areas of your life have you been trying to rely on your own strength or wisdom, rather than seeking God’s guidance? How can you begin to trust Him more fully in those areas?
LookingtoJesus 