May 3, 2026

This sermon explores Joshua chapter 8, focusing on how God restores His people after failure and leads them to victory through obedience and surrender. Following Israel's devastating defeat at Ai due to Achan's sin, God encourages Joshua to not fear or be dismayed, providing specific direction for a second battle. The message emphasizes that God is the hero of His people's story, that life is a series of mistakes from which God organizes victories, and that true success comes not from human strategy but from following God's word and maintaining a posture of surrender. The sermon draws parallels between Joshua raising his javelin and Moses raising his hands during battle, illustrating that God's presence—not human effort—secures victory. The core message is that God's comfort comes with repentance, God responds to surrender, and when God's word is followed, victory will follow.