Pastor Tunde Awoyemi
TEXTS: Josh 1:1-11; Ps 149:5-9
This is a wake up call to every believer. We must arise and contend for our possessions in Christ. Believers need to be aware of the fact that life is a battle. God expects us to arise like soldiers and take the battle to the camp of the enemy. God has blessed us with every blessing in the heavenly places and He has given us great and precious promises. God’s plan for us is a destiny of health, wealth and long life. If you do not arise and begin to contend for that which belongs to you in Christ Jesus, you will never possess anything. Giants are on the land and their sole purpose is to steal, kill and destroy destinies. Therefore, it is necessary for us to rise up and dislodge them so that we can recover from them the things that have been stolen from us because this is our season of restoration.
God told Joshua that in order to have good success, there are certain things you must do. Joshua was the military commander at that time and it was his responsibility to lead Israel to the battle front. To triumph in battle, you will need not only a physical sword, but a spiritual sword (God’s Word).The Word of the Lord shall not depart out of your mouth. You fight the battle putting your faith in God. You face the battle with the confidence that God will honour His words. God told Joshua on three separate occasions, in verses 6, 7 and 9, to be strong and of a good courage. God planned a great destiny for him and he must be bold in order to execute the plan. In other words, God said I am with you. I will back you up. I will never leave you nor forsake you as you go out to possess your possessions.
You need not be afraid of any one or anything. We must arise as brave soldiers to fight the good fight because without contention, there will not be possession. The greatest battle we will ever fight in life as Christians is the battle against fear, doubt and worry.
Surely, Joshua saw the wall of Jericho and he may conclude that the place was impregnable, but God impressed it upon his heart to be bold and of a good courage. All these elements – fear, doubt and worry – will take our focus away from God and there is nothing we can achieve when our focus is off God. So, banish fear from your heart. Be bold and be confident as you execute God’s judgment on the enemy. It was after Joshua received those words of encouragement from God that he commanded the officers, in verse 10, to pass through the host.
What were the implications of the words of encouragement spoken to Joshua?
- Know that you have divine backing and covering. Josh 1:9.
- Know that you have the Word of God. Josh 1:8.
What does it take to execute the judgment?
High praises. Ps 149:6-7.
Boldness and confidence. Josh 1:7
The death and the burial of Jesus Christ accomplished two goals:
- He sentenced the devil to eternal defeat, condemnation and death Col 2:15
- He purchased redemption and eternal salvation for us.
If you refuse to execute the written judgment of God over the enemy, you will limit the hand of God. You have a part to play and God has His own part. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Ps 149:9 says this is the honour given unto the saints of God. It is your honour and privilege to bind the devil. If you do not do anything, God can not do much. You are the law enforcing agent. According to Is 54:17, “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord.” A silent Christian will be a ‘signless’ Christian – there will be no signs and wonders in the life of such a believer. We have to enforce the victory Jesus won on the cross.
Luke 21:15 says, “For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.” It is never our responsibility to fight the devil. Jesus Christ has already defeated him and our sole responsibility lies in enforcing the victory won by Jesus on the cross. We must activate and read the cocktail (Ps 23, 91, 103, 112, Is 54, Ephe 1:17-13, Ephe 3:16-20, 1 Thess 5:23), to raise an altar against the enemy. Whosoever will enter into the house of a strong man will, first of all, have to bind the strong man before taking charge of his possessions. Bind the devil in your life.
The Word of God is your weapon. Banish fear from your heart as you pursue your dreams and you will overcome in Jesus name.
