You are probably familiar with that OT passage that declares: “Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.” (2 Chron. 20:15).

Perhaps you have quoted it to yourself on more than one occasion when faced with daunting circumstances in your life. However, it should be pointed out that while the battle is indeed the Lord’s, as is the victory (Prov. 21:31), that does not mean your role in this conflict is relegated to being some spectator. Yeah...give that one a moment or two if you would please.

We’re continuing on as we look back at the story of how Joshua led the Israelites into the promised land and their ensuing victory over their first test, the city of Jericho. (Joshua 6)

We’ve been looking at this subject of ‘sanctification’ and how there is a land in need of clearing of everything which is opposed to God and His character and likeness, which mainly ...is our carnal flesh nature (Rom. 8:7-8; James 4:4). Today, it is not the Hittites and Amorites that need to be removed from the ‘land of our defiled hearts’, it is pride, greed, anger, lusts, selfishness, bitterness, etc...that needs to ‘come off the land’ (Mark 7:21-23; 2 Cor. 7:1; 1 John 3:3). And need I remind anyone that it is NOT...’flesh and blood’ that we contend with, but ‘spiritual wickedness and powers of darkness’ that we are up against (Eph. 6:12)? I hope I should also have no reason to point out that none of us are equipped to overcome this spiritual enemy in our own strength; hence...the wise choice to enter into covenant with Jesus who empowers us to overcome all...the wiles and power of the enemy’ (Luke 10:19; Eph. 6:11).

What we learn back in our OT story is this was no different with God and His people either. It was already established that these nations which needed to come off the land were ‘greater and mightier’ than the Israelites (Deut. 7:1-2), but God assured His people that victory was imminent... provided they follow His instructions. Seems I’d want to pay close attention to what God had to say when facing such opposition, what about you?

So look first at Joshua 5:13-15. Who do you think is getting involved here before they go into conquer Jericho? Take an extra minute or two if you need to here...I’ll wait.

Now comes the big day, or week, I should say. We learn early on in chapter 6 that Jericho was fortified and securely shut in with imposing walls. And God makes it quite clear to Joshua: “See...I have given Jericho into your hand...”(2). Then, God gives detailed instructions as to how this is going to play out. Clearly...if you read ahead here, this does not sound like any ‘war strategy’ that you or I would have at the top of our list of ideas. And that’s the point; God’s ways our not like our ways, and we are repeatedly advised to ‘not lean in our own understanding’...as God has ‘chosen the foolish things of this world to confound the wise’...(Isa. 55:8; Prov. 3:5-6; 1 Cor. 1:27). Why does it take some of us so long to figure this out?

So what does any of this have to do with us today... regarding how God takes us through this process of ‘sanctifying’ or setting us apart to make us ‘holy’ and pure before Him? Well, if you were told early on that ‘all was good with your soul’ after you made some initial prayer to ‘accept Christ as Savior’, then what you’ve been reading here may seem a bit off, or confusing to you. But all I know to do is to continue sharing what the word has to say, and trust the Holy Spirit to do HIs work in those who are seeking truth, peace, and genuine freedom.

We know Christ is coming back for a bride (church) that is holy and blameless (Eph. 5:27). We are told that ‘without holiness/sanctification...no one will see the Lord’ (Heb. 12:14). It is the ‘pure in heart’ who will actually see Him (Matt. 5:8), and this ‘purifying’ comes about through ‘obeying the truth through the Spirit’ (1 Pet. 1:22). Paul would write that ‘having these promises...let us cleanse ourselves from ALL filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God’ (2 Cor. 7:1); and John reminds us that ‘everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure’ (1 John 3:3). How else do we think we’d be able to ‘love others as He loved us’ (John 15:12) and to ‘walk just as He walked’ (1 John 2:6)?

This was the plan all along...for as many as ‘received Him’...to them He gave the right or power to ‘become...children of God’ (John 1:12) but it is actually those who are ‘led by His Spirit...that are indeed the children of God’(Rom. 8:14) and we know that ‘all things work together for the good to ‘those who love Him’...as we are conformed to His image...since He (Jesus) was the firstborn of ‘many brethren’ (Rom. 8:28-29)

That’s probably why James exhorts us to ‘count it all joy when you encounter various trials/tests...knowing that the testing of our faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work that you and I may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” (James 1:2-4)

By the way...who told us that we were to be ‘perfect as our Father in heaven is perfect...that we maybe sons of our Father in heaven’ (Matt. 5:45,48)? And what is the purpose of all this instruction? Answer: That we be perfected in God's love and that we produce ‘love from a pure heart’ (1 Tim. 1:5; 1 John 4:12,17). Friends...this doesn’t happen simply because you ‘accepted Christ’, attend church 1-2 times a week and read your 3 chapters a day from your Bible.

When the Israelites fled Egypt and crossed through the Red Sea in dramatic and miraculous fashion...it was a glorious day indeed and they did break out in song and celebration (Ex. 15). But here’s the mistake they made, and many today have fallen into the same trap: They must have thought they had ‘arrived’; but on the contrary...they had only just begun, as the old classic song goes. And what happened to that first generation of ‘believers’ out there in the wilderness who thought they were on their way to a promised land flowing with milk and honey? They failed the test (Deut. 8:2) as their hearts were hardened.

They did not continue to believe and obey, and God was angry with them and did not allow them to enter the land of promise (Heb. 3:7-19). And we also, are warned to ‘fear’ lest we come short of going in to possess this land (Heb. 4:1,11). Sounds like there might be a lot of ‘foolish virgins’ who won’t be ‘ready’ when the bridegroom returns (Matt. 25:10-13) and will be left outside knocking on the door begging to be let in.

Have I mentioned how serious this all is, lately? (2 Cor. 13:5).... more tomorrow, Lord willing.