Conquering Canaan

In retracing our steps, the Lord conceived a people,  delivered them from bondage, showed them the way to Himself, judged their unbelief with forty years of wanderings until death overtook them, and introduces a new generation to the promised land. From here, the Lord directs Joshua in conquering Canaan and receiving the abundant life he and Caleb glimpsed forty years earlier.

The conquest demanded:

A CROSS OF COMMITMENT

to Obedience

To Joshua Before the Battle

“Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth: but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage, be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” Josh. 1:7-9.

To Us Before the Battle

“Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; and being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him…Heb. 5:8,9; Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me…Matt. 16:24; Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution…2Tim. 3:12; Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city…” Rev. 22:14; For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous…1John 5:3; Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” Matt. 22:37-39.

A CROSS OF COURAGE

to stand against the enemy-

To Joshua and the Children, a Promise of Conquest

“Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses…There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Be strong and of a good courage…Josh. 1:3,5,6a; And Joshua said unto them, Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage: for thus shall the LORD do to all your enemies against whom ye fight…10:25;  And ye have seen all that the LORD your God hath done unto all these nations because of you; for the LORD your God is he that hath fought for you…And the LORD your God, he shall expel them from before you, and ye drive them from out of your sight; and ye shall possess their land, as the LORD your God hath promised unto you. Be ye therefore very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefore to the right hand or to the left.” 23:3,5,6

To Us the Promise of Conquest

“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ…Phil. 1:6; I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me…Gal. 2:20; Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand…Eph. 6:10-13; Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Matt. 28:19,20.

A CROWN OF VICTORY

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To Joshua and the Children

“But cleave unto the LORD your God, as ye have done unto this day. For the LORD hath driven out from before you great nations and strong: but as for you, no man hath been able to stand before you unto this day. One man of you shall chase a thousand: for the LORD your God, he it is that fighteth for you, as he hath promised you. Take good heed therefore unto yourselves, that ye love the LORD your God…Josh. 23:8-11; Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD.” 24:14.

To Us

”Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place…2Cor. 2:14; Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entagleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully… 2Tim. 2:3-5; Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him…James 1:12; Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.” Rev. 3:11.