I could write about the walls of Jericho tumbling down or about the treachery of Achan, who sinned against God and led to the Israelites’ first defeat after they crossed into the Promised Land.  But I won’t.

Instead, my mind turns towards the ambush that Joshua and the Lord brought against the town of Ai.  These people of Ai were confident because they had easily defeated a small group of Israelites who then ran away.  So when Joshua led a large company against them, they weren’t afraid to go out and pursue them in battle.  Little did they know that Joshua had also stationed a group of soldiers on the other side of the town.  As he lured all the men out one side of the town, the Israelites snuck in the other side, captured it, and burned it.  When the smoke became visible, the larger army (that had been pretending to be running away) suddenly turned around and began fighting again.  The men of Ai then were trapped: Israelites in front, and Israelites in back.  It was a resounding victory for the Lord.

In a way, those who become Christians are ambushed in the heart, if they accept the call.  I heard a sermon the other day based on Ephesians 1: 16-20.  What stands out to me is this: we believers are called.  The Holy Spirit quickens our souls and leads us to desire more.

¹⁷I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit^[f] of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.

¹⁸I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, ¹⁹and his incomparably great power for us who believe.

My intensive grammar studies this year in our homeschooling journey have paid off when I examine scripture!  Take a look at verse 18.  Paul prays that the eyes of my heart may be opened.  Why?  So that I can know three things: the hope to which he has CALLED (ambushed) me, the riches of my inheritance as a called, adopted member of his family, and his incomparably great power.

Now that is the kind of ambush I can enjoy!  I do pray that through the power of the Holy Spirit , you and I will know Him better.