Monday, May 4, 2015

Joshua 11 - God our Captain

After the tremendous victory God gave Israel over the five cities in Joshua chapter 10, if I lived in the land, I would be reflecting on what hope I had for the future. But Jabin king of Hazor decided to double down and planned an attack of his own. Obviously, he didn't understand the power of God at work to defeat the nations around them. 

God speaks to Joshua and gives direction for battle. With an assurance of God's promised defeat of the enemy and a plan for how to overcome their troops, Joshua's men March off to take the opposition. God uses the faithful service of the Israelites to deliver the promised land into their possession. God was fulfilling his promises to Abraham and Jacob nearly 500 years prior. 

As Christians we too are given a plan and assurance of victory. We need to be careful as we consider the goal however. We were saved by Jesus Christ to be his examples to the world and to stand out by living differently from the world so that theyay know there is power to overcome conflict, but also to offer the world the same hope we have. Our goal is not for leisure and personal pleasure here. Our enemies don't have to be on opposite sides from us. There is plenty of room on God's side and many benefits too. 

Like Israel, we have a special relationship to the Almighty having been purchased from sin and received forgiveness. We have the hope of eternity with God in Heaven. Our promised land is yet to come and no doubt there are battles to be won as we march toward the righteous life, looking for our King to appear. 

We are closer than ever to the return of our Lord and then we will see our final victory. For as long as God has us here, we are sojourners in a foreign land. Things don't fit, they aren't smooth. Our home is in Heaven so we are being molded and remade to become the perfect bride for Christ. Our character is being developed with each conflict, but we do not fight alone. We have the power of God inside us to meet each challenge and God alone gets the victory. 

One day we will experience the rest that was described in the last sentence of this chapter. "Then the land had rest from war."  Battles still rage on all around us and we are hallenges to live wisely among people hungry for war.  God has his children in His hands and will not let them go until they have entered into their land of rest. The inheritance of promise. 

Look to the Lord for your direction. Seek Him and He will be found. look for God's wisdom in scripture and pray for His provision for the conflict. May God allow you to see His glory as He uses your circumstances to write His story here. 

May God richly bless you as you seek Him and as you serve Him. 

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