Joshua 10:39
“He captured it and its king and all its cities, and they struck them with the edge of the sword, and utterly destroyed every person who was in it. He left no survivor. Just as he had done to Hebron, so he did to Debir and its king, as he had also done to Libnah and its king.”
Israel had an amazing success rate when it came to war. It’s not because they were special or had great strategists. It was because God was with them and gave them an edge. He was against their enemies and weekened them.
The Promised Land was symbolic of the victorious christian life. What are we to be victorious over? Sin and our flesh. He always wants us to win over sin and the flesh. However, because we are human and prone to stumble we won’t always have a perfect record.
I Corinthians 10:13 says, “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide an escape, so that you can stand up under it.” God will uphold His end of the bargain. Unfortunately, we will fall from time to time.
I John 1:8,9 tells us what to do when we fall. “If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, so that He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” The bible makes it clear we will sin. That doesn’t mean we aren’t to try to be sinless. But that when we fall, God wants to forgive us and get us on the right track with Him.
Today’s verse speaks to the concept that we are to win against the flesh. What does scripture mean by the flesh? Romans 7:14,15 says, “For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am fleshly, sold into bondage to sin. For I do not understand what I am doing; for I am not practicing what I want to do, but I do the very thing I hate.” When we were born again, God gave us a new nature. One that desired Him and His ways. The flesh is our fallen nature that is self centered and is drawn to sin. It will be gone when we go to heaven. But now it’s still with us. It competes with our new nature for control. Galatians 5:24 says, “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” Earlier in Galatians it says, “I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me”, (2:20).
Like Joshua God wants us to be victorious over the flesh. Galatians 5:19-21 elaborates about the flesh, “Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: sexual immorality, impurity, indecent behavior, idolatry, witchcraft, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts ofanger, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” These actions are the gravitational pull of the flesh. If we didn’t restrain ourselves or let societal norms prevent us, these would be our actions. Jesus speaks of this lifestyle as being enslaved. God wants to free us from these actions and to walk in victory against them.
I Corinthians 15:57 says, “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!” Our lives are like Joshua and Israel in the promised land. We walk with Christ as we live our days. Temptations and struggles arise. We call out to Him and flee from them. We often get the victory. We also run into difficulties to endure. Sometimes it’s people that give us grief. We seek to love them and carry their burden the second mile. Romans 12:18 says, “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.” It’s not always possible. We can pray and do our best.
What are we to do when there are those who resist our attempts at peace? What does victory look like? We aren’t at war with them, but our flesh. We get angry and want to retaliate. We are to bring those thoughts and emotions to the cross. We ask the Lord for help. I’m presently in a situation like that. There is one in my world who dislikes me. It’s uncomfortable. I can’t change that. I can respond lovingly and attempt to not let it bother me. It’s a struggle.
Another response is that of joy and praise amidst troubles. I can feel God’s joy at my core. I can’t say that I have been praising God. I’m going to work at that. To praise Him in the storm. That’s the victory. Giving thanks to God while there are enemies and our flesh wants to retaliate. We aren’t to go there. We praise Him in that storm within us.
We don’t understand why there are enemies there. But we know God and because He allows it we know it’s ok. More than that He gives us the promise of Romans 8:28, “And we know that God causes all to work for good to those that love Him and are called according to His purpose.” Somehow this will work for the good. One big advantage is that we can learn to have joy while troubles exist. He allows us to be unshakable.
We go on the offense in this battle. Romans 12:20 explains how, ‘On the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head.”’ I can’t say I feel love for this person, but I can see the Lord helping me to act lovingly towards him.
Thank You, Lord, that You give us the victory. Yes, it would be nice to not have this bur in my saddle, but I can praise You and be joyful even while it’s there. Thank You, God.
