And the LORD said to Joshua, “Do not fear and do not be dismayed. Take all the fighting men with you, and arise, go up to Ai. See, I have given into your hand the king of Ai, and his people, his city, and his land. And you shall do to Ai and its king as you did to Jericho and its king. Only its spoil and its livestock you shall take as plunder for yourselves. Lay an ambush against the city, behind it.”
It's impossible to read this short passage without grinning. The Israelites repented of the sin which had infected them, cleansed themselves as the LORD directed, and reentered into their appointed relationship with the LORD, God the Almighty. Not only did He promise victory over the enemy but He gave permission to keep the spoils, i.e., as opposed to the spoils taken from Jericho without His permission. Another good lesson in being careful to pursue my calling within the shelter of His will, not my own self-centered pigheadedness.
Today's readings in the Psalms:
Morning: Psalm 101
Mid-day: 119:105-112
Evening: Psalm 27
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