Memorize: And they smote all the souls that were therein with the edge of the sword, utterly destroying them: there was not any left to breathe: and he burnt Hazor with fire; Joshua 11:11
Devotional Reading: Joshua 11:1-23
The children of Israel under the leadership of Joshua had one last battle to fight before they possess the land of Canaan and then rest from war.
The battle to win the Promised Land did not end after the Israelites crossed the Jordan River, or when Jericho’s walls fell down. The battle continued for years.
The Israelites faced people who lived in the land and seemed to have every advantage. They knew every hill and stream. They had developed strongholds and weapons, and trained battle-tested warriors, they came against Israel in large number.
One major challenge came from Hazor, an important city strategically located in northern Canaan. As the Israelites approached, Jabin Hazor’s king called together a coalition of cities to confront Israel with horses and chariots, and “they covered the landscape like the sand on the seashore.”
Faced with such massive threat and opposition, it would have been easy for the Israelites to be afraid. But they went against their enemies with courage knowing it was God’s battle. In spite of the advantages of their opposition, Israel was victorious; all of these cities were “utterly destroyed.”
This victory was possible because they embraced the conflict, trusting in God to fight the battle for them.
In similar ways, we may be opposed by powerful forces. By people who seem to have every advantage. We may have problems that don’t seem to have any solution, we need not be afraid, all we need do is allow God to fight the battlefor us.
Many people have lost important battles that they should have won simply because they did not allow God to step in and fight for them.
When faced with these challenges, it can be easy to be fearful. to be discouraged or filled with doubt.
In these moments, we need to remember the promises of God in His word, and the assurance that he is with us; he has promised never to leave us nor forsake us.
But we must be careful to go into battle only with God ‘s blessings, that is when He will make our battle His battle, when we obey His Word and trust in Him.
May the Lord help you commit your battles into God’s hand so that He can make them His battles.
Pray for courage not to run away from opposition or give in to fear. Instead, renew your faith in God. Stand on His Word, and declare His promises which are true for you. Pray and resist the powers of darkness. Be confident, know that God is with you, He will fight your battles and win them all for you in Jesus name.
Prayer point: O LORD, please fight my battles for me.
Key Dose: When you trust God with your battles, they become GOD’s BATTLE.
Pastor James Ademuyiwa
Senior Pastor (IHPCT)