What to Do After the Victory
Joshua 8:30
"Then Joshua built an altar unto the LORD God of Israel in mount Ebal,"
Everybody loves the experience of victory and success.
Society is filled with books on what to do to have victory and success in different areas of your life, but there are very few people who deal with what to do after the victory. What you do after your victory may determine if you have more victories in the future. One of the most vulnerable times in anyone's life is right after a victory. One of the reasons for this is because we let our guard down because of the feeling of elation, we become overconfident in our invincibility which causes us to get out of our routine which results in an immediate defeat. It is important that you do the right things once you experience a victory.
In the verse above, Joshua and Israel experienced a great victory over the city of Ai. To some, this may not seem like a great victory, but to Israel it was huge because this battle was a rematch of a previous battle that they lost. What Israel did after this battle allowed them to go on through Canaan and conquer the Promised Land. Their actions after the battle allowed them to continue experiencing victory. What they did after the battle is what every Christian should do when they experience victory in their life.
First, take time to thank God for the victory. The verse above shows us that they immediately set up an altar to thank God for His help over the people of Ai. You would be wise after a victory to thank God for His help. Why should God continue to help you if you won't thank Him after you've had a victory? If you thank God for the victories He gives you, then you will find that He will be more likely to help you with the next battle. Be careful that you don't become so elated with a victory in your life that you forget to take time to thank God.
Second, get back to work. In verse 32, Joshua wrote a copy of the words of Moses on a stone. Joshua understood the importance of getting back to the routines that brought him the victory. One of the dangers of victory is that many get out of the routines that led them to victory, which results in them seeing an immediate defeat. Don't let victory be the steppingstone to backsliding. Once you have a victory you would be wise to continue doing what led you to have a victory.
Third, continue to obey all of God's Word. Verse 35 shows us that they didn't just read some of God's Word, but they read all of God's Word. Their purpose of reading God's Word was so that they could obey. Christian, just because you had a great victory in your life does not give you a license to do wrong. You are to continue doing right after the great victories. Obedience to God's Word is just as important after the victory as it was before the victory. If you continue doing right, then you will continue to see victory in your life.
Finally, watch out for the next battle. Right after the battle of Ai came another battle for Israel. You will never stop fighting battles in your Christian life. Enjoy your victories, and praise God for the victories, but always remember that there is another battle right around the corner. Don't become complacent, but prepare for the next battle and you will continue to experience God's victories in your life.#exit