You Are Not a Heap of Ruins

I have been doing some study lately on the nations conquered by the children of Israel as they were possessing their land of promise.  Joshua records that the people conquered thirty-one kings and cities in all (see Joshua 12).  In defining and researching the names of the cities, I am putting together a thirty-one day devotional on keys to possessing your promise.  Some of the cities represent things we must overcome.  Some of the cities represent characteristics and qualities that would be of great benefit to us.  Today, I am sharing from Day Two - Ai.



Day 2 -- Ai – Heap of Ruins

            Following the dramatic victory over Jericho, the children of Israel came to a small area known as Ai.  Joshua sent some men to spy the land and the report was that Ai was small and it would only take a portion of the army of Israel to defeat them.  Joshua sent only some of the fighting men against Ai and surprisingly the children of Israel found themselves defeated by this inferior army.  The reason was that Achan had taken some things from Jericho when God had clearly told the entire camp not to do so (see Joshua 7).

            We closed out Day One by stressing the importance of breaking away from darkness (Jericho) and not taking or keeping anything as a token or trophy from that place of victory.  We see in the battle against Ai why this is so important.  By the choice of one man, Achan, an entire army was put into a precarious position and thirty-six men lost their lives.  Until Israel got fully away from the darkness, they were unable to progress and possess their inheritance. 

            After the sin had been dealt with, however, they gained victory against Ai.  Ai means a heap of ruins.  Oftentimes after a person overcomes darkness and sin they are confronted with a life and circumstances that appear to be a heap of ruins.  How many times have you yourself asked, “What can God possibly make of or do with me?  In order for us to march forward and possess what God has for us, we must overcome our own perspective of things being a heap of ruins.  A person is not defined by where they have been.  God defines a person by where He wants to take them. 

            The enemy would love to convince you and me that we are a heap of ruins and that we have no potential to be used by God in any way.  But we must deal with that notion and lie in the same way that Joshua dealt with the city of Ai.

And Joshua burnt Ai, and made it an heap for ever, even a desolation unto this day.   Joshua 8:28

            Let us learn to turn into a heap what the enemy does to try and convince us is a heap already.  God wants to take you to great places in Him and put you into a position to do great things for Him.  Do not allow the enemy to deceive you to believe differently.  Ai is referred to as being next to Bethel.  On Day Sixteen we will discuss Bethel which means house of God.  The heap of ruins was near the house of God.  Isn’t it interesting how the enemy often tries to get us to give up when we are so close to where we need to be?  The enemy fears that we will realize who we are in Christ and wreak havoc on his kingdom.  May our hearts be awakened today with the truth and knowledge of who we are in Christ.  I am not a heap of ruins.  You are not a heap of ruins.  We are exactly what God is looking for to use for His Kingdom.