Today’s Devotion
Topic: The Lord Fights This Battle!
Text: Joshua 5: 13-15, 6: 3- 5
“13 Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, “Are you for us or for our enemies?” 14 “Neither,” he replied, “but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.” Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, “What message does my Lord have for his servant?” (Joshua 5: 13- 14)
“March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days. Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams’ horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets. When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have the whole army give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the army will go up, every man straight in.” (Joshua 6: 3-5) Amen
What a God! You see after the Gilgal circumcision of Israel’s military men, they celebrated passover and ate of the produce of the land. Once they did, the manna from heaven ceased, to confirm how close they were to the promise land. God did not have to feed them manna anymore, they were already in the place of abundance to eat whatever they desired. The only glaring obstacle was JERICHO (Joshua 5: 1- 12).
One day an angel shows up right before Israel would approach Jericho and tells Joshua He’s neither an ally or a foe and He was right. He belongs to a superior regiment with an assignment greater than the agenda of Israel (to conquer Jericho) and the desires of their enemy (to resist or defeat Israel).
HE IS THE COMMANDER OF THE ARMY OF GOD. HE HAD COME TO ESTABLISH THE DESIRE OF GOD ON EARTH and Israel was only going to be God’s vessel for this victory. The actual battle however, was the Lord’s.
It is important to note that this battle was of great interest to the Lord and He wasn’t going to take chances. Israel was almost on the promise land. Having crossed the Jordan, it was only Jericho that stood their way. To honor His promise to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; the Lord had come down to eliminate all obstacles and prove Himself faithful and able to all His promises.
Secondly, the battle to overcome Jericho was going to be more sophisticated than Israel was ready for. Jericho was far more superior and advanced in terms of technology. Their walls were high and wide with strong gates. They were also a greatly organised nation being able to regulate their city gates because Israel was approaching (Joshua 6: 1). Honestly, there was no way Joshua could have prevailed without the help of the Lord.
Child of God, how high are the walls of Jericho before you? How sophisticated is the enemy? Yes, you may be confident about victory, but that is not enough. Don’t be captain of you own life and battles, learn how to let God lead the way and fight for you.
You see, even though the battle before you appears to have your name tagged on it, its aim is actually to resist God and inhibit His agenda for your life. That is why He fights! You only appear to be the target of the battle but the enemy is secretly aiming at the Lord. That is why He fights. It is His battle, not yours. Also, the Lord fights this battle because He knows you lack the ability to command victory without injuries, yet He can without a scratch.
He promised to fight all your battles and this one is no exception. Begin to pray now. Surrender your will to Him knowing you cannot make it on your own. Obey every instruction He gives, even if it doesn’t not make military sense to you.
He is the commander in chief; without grenades, bombs or dynamites, Jericho will still fall with a mighty crush. JUST LET HIM FIGHT THIS BATTLE TOO.
NB: GOD BLESS US ALL FOR PARTICIPATING IN YESTERDAY’S FASTING AND PRAYER EXERCISE AGAINST COVID-19. WE WIN THROUGH CHRIST! WE ARE MORE THAN CONQUERORS ACTUALLY.
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