The book of Joshua is teaching us that we conquer by faith.
All of us are on a faith journey. Everyone puts their faith in something or
someone every day. As believers we should place our faith and trust in the Lord
Jesus Christ and His Word, the Bible. Others place their faith in a person or
in a religion. Some put their faith in themselves. But the only faith that
never fails to bring joy, contentment, satisfaction, and genuine rest, is a
faith that believes and trust in the true and living God through His Son Jesus
Christ!
A genuine faith is evidenced by obedience to God’s Word.
James used these first chapters in Joshua to make this point in James 2:25-26: “Likewise,
was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the
messengers and sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is
dead, so faith without works is dead also.”
The Holy Spirit also directed the writer of the Epistle to
the Hebrews to use this event as one of the "by faith" examples in
Hebrews 11. The fall of Jericho is an encouragement to God's people to trust
the Lord's promises and obey His instructions, no matter how impossible the
situation may appear to be. You and I may not capture a city as Joshua did, but
in our everyday lives we face enemies and high walls that challenge us.
The only way to grow in faith is to accept new challenges
and trust God to give you victory. "Do not pray for easy lives," said
Phillips Brooks; "pray to be better men and women. Do not pray for tasks
equal to your powers; pray for power equal to your tasks."
Moses in his closing words to the twelve tribes made this
statement in Deuteronomy 33:25, “…as your days, so shall your strength be.” He
did not say, “As your strength is, so shall your days be”. We often make
excuses for not obeying the Lord and claiming His promises because we don’t
feel like we have the strength to do what He is asking us to do. Like simply
getting out of bed early to read our Bible and spend some time in prayer before
we leave for work. But an amazing thing takes place when we obey. God’s Holy
Spirit empowers us with His supernatural energy to do whatever He has asked us
to do.
Actually, it is when we feel the weakest that we experience
the power of God working in our lives for the journey we are facing that moment
and that day. Paul had a problem he felt was hindering him and prayed for it to
be taken away. But instead, God responded with: "My grace is sufficient
for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." So Paul went on to
say: “Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the
power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in
reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For
when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2
Corinthians 12:9-10).
God doesn’t promise strength for tomorrow, but for today.
That is why He taught us to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread….”. We
can only live one day at a time. We can’t live tomorrow! Jesus reminded us in Matthew
6:30-34: “Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and
tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of
little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What
shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For after all these things the
Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things
shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will
worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
If God tells you to simply walk around the city walls, by
faith obey Him! He will give you strength and courage for each step! Yes, He
will give you strength for the journey!
God bless!
