Victory through Obedience
Joshua employs textbook strategy
for military victory: Divide and
conquer! He attacks the middle
of the country first, dividing the
enemy forces in half, before
mopping Up resistance among
the isolated troops in the south
and north. His stunning victory
shows the importance of following
God’s direction down to the
smallest detail, no matter how
trivial they may seem. The lesson
is painfully reinforced at Ai, where
disobedience leads to defeat
and death. But after disciplining
His overconfident people, God
patiently encourages them
and leads them to victory again.
Lord, we learn from the accounts
of the conquests of the promised
land the importance of following
Your direction. And just as Israel
cleansed the land of idol worship,
we should also be relentless
in dealing with sin in our lives.
Lord, help us to Live Victoriously.
Help us to Trust and Obey You.
Help us to Repent & Turn to You.
Help us to Enquire of You. Amen.
Lord, we will Trust and Obey You:
Now Jericho was securely shutup
because of the children of Israel;
And the Lord said to Joshua:
See I have given Jericho into your
hand. You shall march around the
city for six days, once a day. But
the seventh day you shall match
around the city seven times & the
priests shall blow the trumpets;
all the people shall shout with
a great shout , then the wall of
the city will fall down flat (J6:1-5).
Lord, sometimes You require your
people to simply Trust & Obey U.
We depend on You to overcome
the obstacles in our life. Amen.
Lord, we’ll Repent & Turn to You:
Sanctify yourselves thus says
the Lord: There is an accused
thing in your midst, O Israel;
you cannot stand before your
enemies until you take away
the accused thing (Jos 7:13).
And Achan said: Indeed have
sinned against the Lord (v20).
The Lord said to Joshua: Do not
fear and do not be dismayed…
I have given into your hand the
king of Ai and his land (Jos 8:1).
Lord, reveal to me any sin I am
harbouring, and I will confess it.
I don’t want to give place to
any hindrances to my prayers,
or put up a roadblock to all
You want to do in my life. Amen.
Lord, we will Enquire of You:
When the people of Gibeon heard
what Joshua had done to Jericho
& Ai, they resorted to deception.
Joshua asked: Where do u come
from? They said a very far country.
Then the men of Israel took some
of their provisions; but did not
ask counsel of the Lord. Joshua
made a peace treaty with them.
3 days later they learn these pple
actually lived nearby (J9:3-16).
Lord, help me to not run off on
my own, trying to do what I think
is right instead of inquiring of You.
Help me not forget to consult You
about everything, even the things
I think I can handle on my own.
In Jesus precious name, Amen.