Every Hero's Worst Villain

Joshua 1:5

"I will never leave you nor forsake you."

Joshua 7:8

"O Lord, what can I say, now that Israel has been routed by its enemies?”

Do you remember the first time you saw a hero fail or fall?

It is rare to see Thor without his hammer, Mjölnir. As the god of thunder he uses the weapon to defend the good and defeat the evil. Thor inherited the weapon from his father, Oden. The one condition is that Thor has to remain worthy of the gift. An unworthy individual can't even pick the weapon up, which means not even Hulk with his mutant muscles can take it from him. The only way to lose the weapon is for Thor to lose his way.

During Marvel's 2011 movie, Thor, Oden's son is stripped of the hammer because of arrogance and bull-headedness. He had become his own worse enemy. More concerned with his future than his feelings, Oden leaves Thor vulnerable to teach him a lesson. As a result, Thor experienced an epic defeat. But it's a loss that helps him to win back his character.

There are 13 battles in the book of Joshua. God flat out promises Joshua that his army is unstoppable. God is their shield and sword. "I will never leave you nor forsake you." But during their second battle, in a city named AI, God forsakes them and they lose. It's the only military loss young Joshua will experience as a commander.

Joshua is confused. How could God leave them vulnerable? Hadn't he promised victory? What Joshua didn't realize is that a soldier named Achan had stolen some items that God had said was off limits. God was more concerned with their future than their feelings so he allowed them to experience loss. That one defeat would help them to win back their character. They were reminded that they couldn't be stopped by military might but they could suffer loss through moral mismanagement.

Have you allowed anything in your life which may be compromising all that God wants to do in you and through you? Has self-confidence flirted too closely with arrogance? Do you find yourself ignoring that tug when you face a habit you know you need to quit?

Pray through the historic seven deadly sins and see if God highlights one of them for you. Then, ask Him for the help you need to redirect your steps. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9

Historical Deadly Sins:

Gluttony

Lust

Greed

Envy

Pride

Wrath

Sloth (spiritual laziness)