Joshua

Joshua 12:24 says:

…in all, thirty-one kings.

Joshua has to lead the Israelites through many battles to possess the promises of God. And even in this we are told there was still much land to be taken (Joshua 13:1).

The truth is we often focus on one battle and give it all our focus and attention. And so we should. Yet it is never just one battle, we face. After one battle, what do we encounter? Another! The truth is there are many more battles still where that one came from!

But this should not discourage us. Rather it should remind us to remain sober-minded, humble and reliant on the Lord. In the battle we are prepared for greater battles still.

The battles are many, but they are worth it. Each battle defeats “a king”, a false idol or principality that would rule in the place of Jesus. With each battle won, another false king is removed from our life, family, community, business, ministry.

As we progress on the battlefield of the Christian life, the victories get greater. Not for our glory, although we benefit. But for the glory of our Lord who, with each victory, occupies a greater space and greater place in our life, family, community, business or ministry.

PRAYER: Lord, rule and reign in me. I love Lord and ask you to come and take your rightful place in my heart and life. In Jesus name, Amen.

Joshua Chapter 6 verse 6 says:

6 So Joshua the son of Nun called the priests and said to them, “Take up the ark of the covenant, and let seven priests carry seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark of the Lord.”

The battle for the heavily fortified city of Jericho was crucial to the Israelites possessing – rather than visiting – the promised land.

The Lord continually told Joshua to not fear. One reason was because of the size of the endeavour and the unconventional methods of war that were to be used.

The God-given war strategy for winning Jericho involved two elements.

• 1. The Ark of the Lord which represents the PRESENCE of God.
• 2. The ram’s horn trumpets which represents the PRAISING of God

The ark went out first. Before you do anything else in battle, you need the presence of God. Without the presence of God, there is no chance of victory.

Do you “practice the presence of God”? Do you take time in prayer, in the secret place to meet with the Lord ‘face-to-face’. It is this living relationship with Jesus that is needed to sustain you through the battle.

Secondly, and following the presence of God, went the ram’s horns of praise.

Praise is such a powerful weapon. God deserves our praise regardless of the circumstances we face. Jesus said if we don’t praise Him the rocks will cry out!

That is why we need to learn to be people of praise. If we can praise God in the midst of the battle, then the victory is ours. Praise magnifies our God and minimises our problems.

The trumpets at Jericho signified the time for the people to SHOUT and it was the shout of praise which caused the walls to collapse and made victory assured.

Practice the Presence of God and be a Person of Praise to take down the Jericho battle facing you today.

PRAYER: Father, thank you for the victory we have in your Son Jesus Christ! Lord I thank you your ways are higher than my ways and I submit to them today. Fill me with your presence. I love you Father! In Jesus name, Amen.

Joshua Chapter 1 verse 2 says:

“Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites.

God’s promise of a new land for the Israelites to possess was only ever going to be possessed if the Jordan River was crossed. The Jordan River a body of water separating two distinct areas, represents the final barrier that needs to be overcome before the promised land can be possessed.

Very often the final step in the journey of faith is the most difficult. It is said that the night is darkest just before dawn. So too with our possession of the promises of God.

We have contended, we have obeyed, we have sown, we have endured. It seems the manifestation of the promise is a long way off yet.

For the Israelites, even though they had reached the Jordan River, until they crossed it they were still in the desert. So too with us. Until we bridge the Jordan River in our lives – the final barrier to the promised land of God – we will remain in the desert.

But all that we’ve been through, all that we’ve endured and all that we’ve sown has brought us to this point. The point where we cross over!

• The crossing of the Jordan River represents a step of faith; going through the season of testing and cleansing before the new promised land is inhabited.
• The crossing of the Jordan River represents a defining moment. It is the swinging of the equilibrium in your life from desert trial to fruitful inhabitation.
• The crossing of the Jordan River represents a transitionary season; where you move out of the old – thinking, believing, doing – and into the new that God has for you, revealed by His Spirit.

The process of God in our lives is the same for each saint. He takes us through the desert of refining, to the Jordan River. We need to cross it in order to inhabit the promises God has for us.

The question is, what do you need to cross over – what is your Jordan River – in order to possess what God has promised you?

PRAYER: Father, I thank you for your faithful promises. I ask you to lead me to the Jordan River I need to cross over in order to inherit them. Reveal to me the changes you are prompting me to make. I ask you for the grace I need to walk in them. In Jesus name, Amen.