I Don’t Even Know What To Say

Joshua 7:8
Pardon your servant, Lord. What can I say, now that Israel has been routed by its enemies?

New Living Translation
Lord, what can I say now that Israel has fled from its enemies?

Contemporary English Version
I don’t even know what to say to you, since Israel’s army has turned and run from the enemy.

Good News Translation
What can I say, O Lord, now that Israel has retreated from the enemy?

Joshua is reacting to bad news. Israel has just lost a battle in a terrible way to a very small city of Ai. Joshua was so sure of success that this loss has now shaken him to the core. He speaks the following words of regret.

Joshua 7:7
And Joshua said, “Alas, Sovereign LORD, why did you ever bring this people across the Jordan to deliver us into the hands of the Amorites to destroy us? If only we had been content to stay on the other side of the Jordan!

Joshua has just spoken those words of regret. Joshua in shock of failure has questioned the wisdom and guidance of God. Joshua in the pain of failure has doubted God’s intentions in bringing them to the Promised Land. Then suddenly Joshua realizes that he shouldn’t have said what he just said. Then Joshua in an attempt to correct or explain what he just said, he speaks the words in our text of consideration today.

Joshua 7:8
Pardon your servant, Lord. What can I say, now that Israel has been routed by its enemies?

Contemporary English Version
I don’t even know what to say to you, since Israel’s army has turned and run from the enemy.

Joshua admits that in the face of failure, pain, and frustrations, he doesn’t know what to say. With this huge failure at hand, he doesn’t know what to say. I don’t even know what to say.

In moments of anger, pain, shame, and frustrations we can easily speak careless words that are regrettable. There are moments of temporary insanity occasioned by unexpected failure. Disappointment can drive us nuts to the extent that our speech becomes regrettable. We have lessons to learn from Joshua.

First, when angry and most likely to speak regrettable words, you better speak to God. Joshua did not direct his frustrations to the military generals, yet it was a military loss. Joshua did not direct his pain to the religious leaders. Joshua did not direct his disappointments to his supporters or even perceived enemies who oppose his leadership. Joshua turned to God. Joshua spoke to God. God can handle the words you speak in pain and can regret later. Human beings can’t forget what you say even in anger. Human beings will not understand that it was temporary insanity. Human beings will forever use those words against you. In moments of potential anger, address God as Joshua did.

Secondly, when in pain, speak out. Silence or bottling up pain is not safe for your health. If you bottle up and shut in such pain, it may lead to irreparable mental illness. Speak out. Find a safe confidant who can help you. Counselors exist who can keep a confidence. If no human being can handle your pain, tell it to God. 1 Samuel 1:10, Hannah spoke to God in prayer. If you don’t know what to say, tell it to God.

Thirdly, understand those who speak in pain. Pain brings temporary insanity. Do not be too hard on people who spoke and acted in moments of genuine pain, disappointment, and frustration. Moments come when we do not know what to say and yet we must say it for us to get relief. God does not hit out at Joshua for words he spoke in anger. God ignores those words and goes ahead to help Joshua solve the problem. We too should pray for the grace to move on and deal with real issues.

Fourthly, Joshua realised his mistake in how had spoken, and in our text today he apologizes. Joshua says in our text today, “Pardon your servant, LORD.” Joshua apologizes! You may have acted or spoken in anger, but once you realize it, apologize. You owe an apology to those you offended during your moments of temporary insanity. They in turn owe you unconditional forgiveness. If you don’t know what to say, then you say it, learn to instantly and quickly apologize without excusing yourself.

Are you facing a situation where you do not even know what to say? Tell it to God, tell Him exactly how you feel, He can handle it and He will respond. Are you so worked up, you do not even know what to say? It is good for your health that you say it to a responsible professional counselor who can keep a confidence. Above all else tell it to God. Could someone close to you be facing a situation where they do not even know what to say? This could be a child, a parent, a spouse, a fiancee, a close friend, a workmate, a neighbor, etc. Is it possible they have said it and you are in shock? Bear with them as God did with Joshua.

Dear God, I am glad that when I don’t even know what to say, I can say it to You. I am glad that You are present in times of extreme difficulty to help me solve the challenges I face. I thank You for ignoring my temporary insanity. Save me from such situations. Make me patient with all those who are going through such times. May I help and bear with those who do not even know what to say, and particularly when they say it. May I like Joshua, always turn to You, in Jesus’ name, Amen!