Discover His heart: He has a strategy for our lives that will bring victory
Strategic planning, surveillance and big guns are all important components of a successful army at war. Although Germany had developed the most powerful tanks during World War II, those tanks did nothing to keep the German soldiers alive in the frozen Russian countryside – their strategy had failed them. All resources are necessary to win a war, but even with the most sophisticated equipment and strategy, success will not be realized unless the boots on the ground obey orders. Because of this, training for military service is not for the faint of heart, and only those men and women who have learned to submit to their authorities are allowed to serve. Joshua was one of these faithful soldiers who understood the chain of command, and because of it, God appointed him General.
@ Joshua 11
Moses, Israel’s great leader, was gone, but he left a strategy and assignment for his assistant, Joshua. Now in command, Joshua could have easily thought that he had a better plan, a more strategic way of conquering the Promised Land; but no, not this trained military man. Joshua followed the chain of command, “As the Lord had commanded his servant Moses, so Moses commanded Joshua. And Joshua did as he was told, carefully obeying all the commands that the Lord had given to Moses.” (15)
The Israelites soldiers won battle after battle because they, too, followed the orders that were given them. After seven long years at war, victory had come, “So Joshua took control of the entire land, just as the Lord had instructed Moses. He gave it to the people of Israel as their special possession, dividing the land among the tribes. So the land finally had rest from war.” (23) We can be assured of victory as well when we obey the commands from our General and all those He has placed in His chain of command over us. We may think we have a better strategy to take new ground, but we will never be more effective than when we, like Joshua, follow God’s plan and do as we are told.
I hate to mention this after such glowing reports of success, but a few of Joshua’s soldiers had a little trouble following his example of carefully obeying all the commands they were given by completely destroying the enemy, “But the tribe of Judah could not drive out the Jebusites, who lived in the city of Jerusalem, so the Jebusites live there among the people of Judah to this day.” (15:63)
Over the years, the Jebusites grew in number to where they controlled Jerusalem, this beautiful city promised to Abraham. King David finally captured it 400 years later, but even after that, King Solomon had to deal with them and made them servants in the land. Now, some 3000 years later, many non-Jewish inhabitants of Jerusalem lay claim to this war-torn city because they maintain that they are from the line of Jebusites, even the late Yasser Arafat claimed to be a Jebusite. Whether this claim is based on truth or not, it would not even be considered if the Jebusites had been completely destroyed by the soldiers.
There is no need to belabor the importance of obeying all the commands of the Lord because we understand the ramifications. In the battles we face against the enemy in our own lives, we should be careful not to allow any part of his wickedness to dwell in our camp to affect our future and that of our children. Joshua did as he was told.
Moving Forward: I want to be Joshua today, carefully following the Lord’s strategy and commands for my life, insuring victory!
Tomorrow @ Psalm 6-8
Phyllis Benigas 