Pride Goes Before a Fall. Part [12] 04/11/2026 (Morning thought)

Joshua 7:2 And Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is beside Bethaven, on the east of Bethel, and spoke unto them, saying, Go up and view the country. And the men went up and viewed Ai.

After God gave Joshua the victory, and he became famous, we observe that he didn’t think it necessary to pray and ask God’s advice on the capture of Ai. In this instance, he turned to the wisdom of man, by leaving God out of the picture, and so said so done, because as history shows, pride goes before a fall…. Joshua 7:3 And they returned to Joshua, and said unto him, let not all the people go up; but let about two or three thousand men go up and smite Ai; and make not all the people to labor thither; for they are but few.

Joshua 7:4 So there went up thither of the people about three thousand men: and they fled before the men of Ai. 5 And the men of Ai smote of them about thirty and six men: for they chased them from before the gate even unto Shebarim, and smote them in the going down: wherefore the hearts of the people melted, and became as water. 7 And Joshua said, Alas, O Lord God, wherefore hast thou at all brought this people over Jordan, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? would to God we had been content, and dwelt on the other side Jordan!

Apparently, the pride problem does not only affect men, because women also suffer from the same issue. When one gets promoted, or when one might reach the stratosphere in their experience, it’s often the case that persons get an attitude as can be seen in the following example.

Joshua 7:8 O Lord, what shall I say, when Israel turns their backs before their enemies!

May the Lord add His blessing to the study of His word. God bless!

Pride Goes Before a Fall. Part [11] 04/11/2026 (Evening thought)

1st Kings 18:45 And it came to pass in the mean while, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode, and went to Jezreel.

[RH May 26, 1891] The prophet did not give up in discouragement. He kept reviewing his life, to see where he had failed to honor God, he confessed his sins…. [Conflict & Courage pp 212] Elijah humbled himself until he was in a condition where he would not take the glory to himself. As Elijah searched his heart, he seems to be less and less both in his own estimation and in the sight of God…. It seemed to him that he was nothing, and that God was everything.

And when he reached the point of renouncing self, while he clung to the Savior as his only strength and righteousness, the answer came….. The same historical pattern of humility manifested initially in one’s experience, and later on becoming self-dependent can also be seen in the life of Joshua who prayed like never before, when it was time for the overthrow of Jericho to take place. He was very careful to follow all of God’s instructions and waited in humility for God to direct in all decision making.

And so said so done, because once we acknowledge our total dependence on The Lord, at every step of advance, the sky is the limit, because God could and would do great things for His people. But watch out, after you become famous lest the fame goes to your head, and you get an attitude…. Joshua 6: 27 So the Lord was with Joshua; and his fame was noised throughout all the country.

Joshua 6:26 And Joshua adjured them at that time, saying, Cursed be the man before the Lord, that riseth up and buildeth this city Jericho: he shall lay the foundation thereof in his firstborn, and in his youngest son shall he set up the gates of it.

May God add His blessing to the study of His word. “Good night” and God bless!