VICTORY IS IN FOLLOWING GOD’S COMMAND JOSHUA 6:20

After the death of Moses, God called an illustrious leader by the name of Joshua. Moses had a great ministry among the children of Israel. Moses’ life can be divided into three forty year periods – 40 years was spent in Egypt; 40 years was spent in Midian; 40 years was spent leading the children of Israel. Moses died as Israel’s great leader, being an hundred and twenty years old (Deuteronomy 34:7). Now, who will replace Moses? God will endorse Joshua as the new found leader of a new group of people into the Promise Land. The old generation which left Egypt died in the wilderness because of their constant murmuring and unbelief against God (Numbers 14:29). That whole generation which exited Egypt died in the wilderness with the exception of Joshua and Caleb. Now, God is going to challenge the new leader with the task of leading the people across the Jordan.

God gave the people victory through the marvelous leadership of the fearless Joshua. By faith, Joshua led the people across the Jordan. Our text brings us to the task of conquering Jericho. Joshua was instructed to conquer Jericho by directing the people to march around the city once for six days. On the seventh day, they were to march around the city seven times; with the priests blowing the trumpets, and when the people shouted, the walls of Jericho would come down flat. When any leader follows God’s directives, he will reap spiritual victory.

Just as Joshua was instructed to lead the new generation into conquering much of the territory in the Promise Land, God has commanded the leaders of our day to lead us into gaining spiritual victory over our enemies as we yield to God’s commands. Brothers and sisters, the key to unlocking the power of God is through yielding to what God says. The church that stays with the word of God and the application of its truths will gain victory each step of the way. The church must be committed to following the man of God as he follows God’s commands. If God says it in the word, then we must follow Him. The power is not in our dynamic leadership, but it is in our yielding to what God has instructed us to do. Zechariah 4:6 says, “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.”

Great victory in the spiritual life is achieved by yielding to the Holy Spirit who indwells every child of God. The companion book to Joshua in the New Testament is the book of Ephesians. This book informs us that we need to engage in battle by putting on the whole armour of God. As we put on each armour in prayer, we are ready to withstand the wiles of Satan. The church must understand that Jesus has promised in Matthew 16:18 – “that the gates of hell shall not prevail against the church.” The church will be victorious because we are serving the Christ that gained victory over sin, death and the grave. My brothers and sisters, victory is ours because the true church cannot be conquered. Let us with complete spiritual fervor do God’s will, for the latter part of II Chronicles 20:15 says – “For the battle is not yours, but God’s.”

May God Bless!