Times of defeat are devastating. The losses are real. The bruises sting and time alone does not seem to help. But there is a way up. There is a way forward.

The people of Israel had to learn some powerful truths about rising from defeat. After a stunning victory in Jericho, the Israelites experienced and equally stunning defeat at a place called Ai. It suddenly seemed like the whole "Promised Land" thing was just a cruel joke. But the story did not end there.