After Israel dealt with their sin, God spoke to Joshua and said, “…Do not fear or be dismayed. Take all the people of war with you and arise, go up to Ai;…” (1b). Past failures can impede present progress when we fear loss in future battles. As recklessness towards God’s word was addressed, so now, fear of loss also needed to be addressed. Now they would need to move forward from fear with courage, but in careful obedience to God’s strategy. Both recklessness [self confidence] and timidity [fear] interfere with our progress into God’s promises. The word of God, and obedience to it, brought a great victory over the city of Ai. “Israel took only the cattle and the spoil of that city as plunder for themselves, according to the word of the LORD which He had commanded Joshua.” (27) When we honor God’s word, we come to know His blessing in our battles and our future is secure.