When Obedience Wins the War: Lessons from Joshua

The 45° Reflection—Turning Toward Hope, One Step at a Time

Joshua was a man of courage, strength, and leadership. But more than that—he was a man of obedience. From the walls of Jericho to the crossing of the Jordan, Joshua’s victories weren’t won by strategy or strength—they were won through surrender. Not surrender to the enemy… but surrender to the Word of the Lord.

Obedience Led to Victory

God gave Joshua bold promises:

“Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you…” — Joshua 1:3

But those promises came with clear instructions:

“Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you…” — Joshua 1:7

And Joshua obeyed.

• He didn’t question when God told them to march silently around Jericho for 7 days.

• He didn’t adjust God’s plan to make it more “reasonable.”

• He didn’t act out of impulse—he followed instruction.

And because of that, the walls fell. Victory was given. God received the glory.

Disobedience Led to Defeat

But not every battle in the Book of Joshua ended in victory.

In Joshua 7, after their stunning win at Jericho, the Israelites faced a smaller city—Ai. But they lost the battle. Why? Because disobedience had entered the camp. Achan had taken forbidden items from Jericho—directly disobeying God’s command. And that one act of hidden rebellion caused the whole nation to stumble.

“Israel has sinned… therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies…” — Joshua 7:11–12

It wasn’t a lack of strength. It wasn’t poor strategy. It was disobedience.

Disobedience always creates a gap between us and the victory God has for us.

This Is Still True Today

We want God’s blessing—but we often skip over His instructions. We pray for victory—but ignore His voice. We quote the promises—but neglect the principles. Here’s the truth: Victory is tied to obedience. Not perfection—but willingness. Not performance—but alignment.

“If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land.” — Isaiah 1:19

At 45 Degree Ministries, we believe in the power of a shift—a small but intentional turn back toward obedience. You don’t have to earn your victory. But you do need to walk in step with the One who wins the war. Maybe you’ve been frustrated, asking, “Why isn’t this working?” Take time to reflect:

• Is there an area of my life where I’m ignoring God’s instruction?

• Have I been trusting more in my plan than His?

• Is there hidden disobedience I need to bring into the light?

Victory starts with a turn—a 45° shift back toward obedience, surrender, and trust.

Pray

“Lord, I want to walk in victory—but I know it begins with obedience. Show me where I’ve drifted. Help me to realign with Your voice. I don’t want to fight battles in my own strength. I want to follow You, step by step. Amen.”

Call to Action

If you’ve been feeling stuck or defeated, maybe it’s not about trying harder — maybe it’s about shifting toward obedience. If you need help sorting through what God is saying, reach out. And if you’re ready to face what’s been holding you back, my book Face It can help you find clarity, freedom, and direction.