University of Praise Ministries - Devotional Message

RECOVERING FROM DEFEAT, RISING UP IN VICTORY Part 4 

Passage: Joshua 8 - Israel’s Victory at Ai

Devotional Guide 
This devotional guide is based on the online interactive devotional message that can be found at
https://www.facebook.com/universityofpraise/videos/614065366161247/​ (Facebook)​ ​or
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCVGPJyzsuo​ (YouTube)

KEY VERSES:
“30 Then Joshua ​built an altar to the Lord​, the God of Israel, in ​Mount Ebal​.”

“32 He ​wrote there on the stones a copy of the law of Moses​, which he had written, in the
presence of the sons of Israel. ”

“34 Then afterward he ​read all the words of the law, the blessing and the curse​, according to all
that is written in the book of the law.”
(Joshua 8:30,32,34, NASB)

INTRODUCTION:

● Review​ ​Joshua 8:10-29

○ Principle #1: Receive God’s consolation and instruction.
○ Principle #2: Pay attention to the details of God’s battle plan.
○ Principle #3: Execute God’s battle plan and experience the victory.
The Actual Execution:
1. They ​positioned​ themselves (8:10-13).
2. They ​waited​ for the go signal (8:14-20).
3. They ​took advantage​ of the situation (8:21-26).
4. They ​reaped the benefits​ of the situation (8:27-29).

THINK ABOUT THIS: ​You may have fallen into sin or have become idle in your service to God or have been in
a season of spiritual drought. How do you rededicate your life to the Lord?

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 University of Praise Ministries - Devotional Message
RECOVERING FROM DEFEAT, RISING UP IN VICTORY Part 4 
Passage: Joshua 8 - Israel’s Victory at Ai

LESSON:

Principle #4: Move forward with a rededicated and renewed life (8:30-35).
● How did they renew their covenant with God:
1. Joshua built an altar to the Lord where they offered burnt and peace offerings.

“built an altar… on uncut stones... they offered burnt offerings… sacrificed peace offerings”
These were actually a fulfillment of what God commanded to them in Deuteronomy 27.

Today, how do we build an altar to the Lord?

- Prepare a designated area to worship God. ​The only danger in constructing a physical setup
at home would be that it could become “the only” place where we think we have to be in order to
consecrate ourselves and worship God. Also, the objects we place there could become like
idols thinking that we "need to have them" to approach God.

- Go before the throne of grace any time anywhere with a broken and contrite heart. ​More
than the location or any other physical elements, is the setting of our hearts.

A good example of this is David in Psalm 51:

16 For You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it;
You are not pleased with burnt offering.
​ he sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
17 T
A broken and a contrite heart​, O God, You will not despise.

- Seek fellowship with fellow believers and worship the Lord together.

2. Joshua wrote on the stones the words of the law and spoke blessings and curses.

“God was giving the people a huge object lesson; what happened to them in
the land was going to depend, as it were, on whether they were living on Mt.
Gerizim or Mt. Ebal. The people were to hear from Mt. Gerizim the blessings
that would come to them if they kept God’s law and from Mt. Ebal the curses
which would fall upon them, if they did not.”
Francis Shaeffer

Before they can fully take possession of the Promised Land, they are to be reminded of God’s law.

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 University of Praise Ministries - Devotional Message
RECOVERING FROM DEFEAT, RISING UP IN VICTORY Part 4 
Passage: Joshua 8 - Israel’s Victory at Ai

A modern-day picture of Mt. Gerizim (left) and Mt. Ebal (right):

It was in the valley where Joshua read the words of the law.
It was a fitting place and perfect amphitheater. Joshua was clearly heard on both sides.

Top view:

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 University of Praise Ministries - Devotional Message
RECOVERING FROM DEFEAT, RISING UP IN VICTORY Part 4 
Passage: Joshua 8 - Israel’s Victory at Ai

How does this apply to us: We have to seek the Word of God then ​follow His commands​, ​believe
in His promises​, and ​apply the principles in our life​.

“It is important to go back to the Word of God not to gather the TO DO’s and
NOT TO DO’s, but to know the very heart of God and live according to what
pleases Him.”

CONCLUSION: ​“...in Mount Ebal… they offered burnt offerings… sacrificed peace offerings.”

Joshua built an altar on Mount Ebal. Isn’t that the mountain of curses? Why did not Joshua build it on the
mountain of blessings? Because the altar was for sinners. It was for those who acknowledge their sin and who
would come not as righteous or would declare themselves as righteous, but as sinners. It’s in Mt. Ebal where
there was a shedding of blood because of the curses.

“Without the shedding of blood, there will be no forgiveness of sin. We cannot really
redeem ourselves apart from the work of God through Jesus Christ.”

Galatians 3:
10 For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who
does not abide by all things written in the book of the law, to perform them.”
11 Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, “The righteous man shall live by faith.”
12 However, the Law is not of faith; on the contrary, “He who practices them shall live by them.”
13 ​CHRIST REDEEMED US FROM THE CURSE OF THE LAW, HAVING BECOME A CURSE FOR US​ - for
it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”
14 in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive
the promise of the Spirit through faith.

ACTION-REFLECTION:
● What aspects (could be all) of your life do you need redemption from God?
● What aspects (could be all) of your life do you need to rededicate to God?

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