THE WAY OF THE WARRIOR
The LORD is a man of war; the LORD is his name. (Exod. 15:3 ESV)
In our last devotional, we began looking at the Lord fighting ‘with’ his people, training warriors to be people of courage and character. We began looking at the battle of Jericho, in Joshua 5, where the Lord shows up as a fierce warrior, dressed for a battle. He is enlisting the Israelites as his army, and their leader Joshua, as their commander. The Lord begins the military training of the Israelites with the priority of holiness.
Joshua falls at the Lord’s feet (5:14 ESV) and the Lord’s first directive is: “Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so. (5:15). Holiness is a purity ethic, which all other attitudes and behaviors will fall under. It is not negotiable, it is primary, since all decisions and actions after this are done with a focused priority to morality and ethics, even in warfare.
Next, the Biblical text observes: Now Jericho was shut up inside and outside because of the people of Israel. None went out, and none came in. (6:1). The city was buttoned up tight, ready for a siege. This a was no nonsense city, and it was ready for a fight.
The Lord’s surveillance, of the situation was profound: And the LORD said to Joshua, “See, I have given Jericho into your hand, with its king and mighty men of valor. (6:2).
What!? There has been no attack, no fighting – nothing.
The Lord sees with the assurance of faith, the future — not the present, and he wants Joshua to see with the same eyes of faith. ‘See the future Joshua?’ in essence what the Lord says. Wait, the future has not happened yet, and the Lord is verifying, that the battle is already won!
It is hard to see with the same sort of assurance that the Lord promises. God promises victory. Do you believe that? Can you see with the eyes of faith?
Oh man, that is way too iffy and uncertain. Is it?
Biblical faith is very different than mere wishing, it is the thing of certainty. Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Heb. 11:1). Every promise in the Bible is based on this concept of faith. Every future event is to be taken as fact. Eternal life, Heaven, etc. are promised and you are to live your life as if they are fact.
We’ve noted two prerequisites in allying with the Lord: 1: Holiness; 2: Faith. One acts like the Lord then one sees like the Lord. Fact. Get used to it, they are not negotiable. Remember he is shaping you into a person who will impact the world. This is grown-up stuff. Israel is going to change the world, because God says: and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” (Gen. 12:3 ESV). He is in the blessing business. The spiritual realm impacts the natural realm.
And yes, that does involve conflict. Warfare is not the end game, it is part of the beginning. This is the same pattern that the Lord used with Moses, Joshua’s predecessor. First the Lord met Moses at the Burning Bush (Ex. 3:2-5) explaining that Moses was on holy ground. Then the Lord directed him to a contest with Pharaoh, the most powerful man in the world (Ex. 3:10). This is a virtually impossible task, but the Lord said: “But I will be with you… (3:12). First, holiness; followed by seeing with eyes of faith, a conflict won by the faithful. This is not new stuff, that Joshua is to follow – nor you.
Whereas, Moses was at first reluctant, Joshua was more prepared and doesn’t balk. Joshua was discipled by Moses. Spiritual maturity trains others into spiritual competence. That is part of our mission as believers – make disciples (Matt. 28:19).
Back to Jericho.
Well the Lord has a plan. He shares it with Joshua.
You shall march around the city, all the men of war going around the city once. Thus shall you do for six days. Seven priests shall bear seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark. On the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets. And when they make a long blast with the ram’s horn, when you hear the sound of the trumpet, then all the people shall shout with a great shout, and the wall of the city will fall down flat, and the people shall go up, everyone straight before him.” (6:3-5)
You’ve got to be kidding!? Come on!! This is a battle plan!? Marching and blowing horns?
Listen, the Lord can call Heaven and Earth to destroy Jericho. Remember Noah’s Flood? God wiped out the entire World, except for Noah and his family (Gen 6). What about the Red Sea? God wiped out an entire Egyptian army (Ex. 14). He is not lacking in firepower! He can make Jericho toast in a millisecond! Why this sort of strategy, then?
The Lord is partnering with us to impact the natural realm. The spiritual realm is the reality behind the natural. God is giving his followers insight, so the course of events in your life proceed, from the spiritual into the natural. The Lord will be our hands and feet, so people can know that the natural realm is not the only domain that can impact people’s lives.
So, the priests, the spiritual class of leaders, get the job, of making noise. Get used to it. Remember, if you are a genuine believer: But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. (1 Pet. 2:9 ESV)
We will see this work out in the actual battle for Jericho, in our next devotional.
THE WARRIOR’S PRAYER
Dear Lord, I continually find that I, myself, can be my worst enemy. Please change my heart, so I can live a victorious life, and by it, you can be honored. Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! (Ps. 19:13 ESV). I do not desire to harm you, Lord. I do not want my attitudes and behaviors, bringing you pain. Give to me a greater measure of grace, so that by my life, people will get an insight into your delight for them.
Let me be able to communicate the immensity of your concern us, and let others experience the truth of your care. May your mercy, be appreciated to those who do not understand the depth of your character. You desire that all come to know you, yet like me, they have placed roadblocks to their heart. They have not learned to trust you, and my desire, is that in some measure they get of glimpse of you, through me. Yet, I often feel unworthy, and yet you pursue me and bring me back to your heart. Thank you, Lord for your great kindness, to a broken saint. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
