Day 84 Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Joshua 3–6
6 Ways to Prepare for Winning
A leader can face significant challenges, particularly if he follows someone successful. Will people have confidence in him? Can they have victory with his leadership? The opposition can sometimes be overwhelming—how can his people succeed, and what will be their strategy? Here are 6 ways to prepare for winning:
1. Have God on Your Side
In today's Bible reading, the LORD says to his newly appointed leader, Joshua, “Today I will begin to exalt you in the eyes of all Israel, so they may know that I am with you as I was with Moses” (Joshua 3:7, NIV). If God works through Joshua as he did with Moses, then the Israelites will place their confidence in him and follow him. Is God on your side? Is he leading you? If you stay close to the LORD like Joshua did, and follow God's exact instructions, He'll be on your side.
2. Make Spiritual Preparations for Battle
The Israelites are about to enter the Promised Land. They'll face countries with well-fortified armies in Canaan, some giant in size and strength. The LORD gives Joshua strange instructions. He tells them to consecrate themselves, to fully devote their hearts to God and his ways (Joshua 3:5). Why? Because this will be a holy war against the Canaanites. The Israelites are to sanctify themselves. This means they're to get rid of any uncleanness, make sacrifices for their sins, and dedicate their lives to God, for it is He who will lead them to victory.
Are you ready for spiritual battles? Have you confessed your sin and rid yourselves of it? Are your hearts totally devoted to God? (more...)
3. Trust God to Pave the Way
The next day, the Levites carry the Ark of the Covenant (a symbol of God's presence) to the Jordan River. It's at the flood stage. As soon as their feet touch the edge of the bank, the river parts and walls up to the city of Adam, a far distance from them. Immediately, the river bed where they are crossing dries up. The Levites position themselves with the Ark in the middle of the Jordan, as all the millions of Israelites cross.
Today, you don't have the Ark of the Covenant as a symbol of God's presence. Instead, if you're a follower of Christ, you have his Holy Spirit within you. Other people perceive you're a Christian when they see God is with you during the floods of adversity or by the victories he gives you. God paves the way for you to cross.
4. Memorialize God's Victories
After the Israelites are across the river, God tells Joshua to choose twelve men (one from each tribe) to go into the middle of the Jordan and pick out twelve large stones for a monument. It will serve as a memorial to God's power in drying up the Jordan River. When people see it, their children and other nations will learn to fear and worship the LORD (Joshua 4:20-22).What memorials do you have to show people how God has brought you victory?
When the nations west of the Jordan heard that Israel's God dried up the Jordan River so they could cross, “their hearts melted and they no longer had the courage to face the Israelites” (Joshua 5:1b, NIV).
5. Rededicate Yourselves to God
After they crossed, the Israelites didn't immediately engage their enemies in battle. Instead, the LORD said to Joshua, “Make flint knives and circumcise the Israelites again” (Joshua 5:2, NIV). Why did God order this? The Bible Knowledge Commentary says circumcision was a ritual symbolizing the cutting away of their ties with heathen nations, particularly regarding all sexual sins and perversions other nations were practicing. It was a covenant first instituted in the time of Abraham when God promised to bless his descendants if they were obedient (Genesis 17:4-14, 23-27). The first generation of Israelites out of Egypt was circumcised, but they didn'tt perform this ritual on their children. Physical obedience, however, symbolized spiritual obedience (Deuteronomy 10:16; 30:6; Romans 2:28-29).Under the New Covenant of Christ's death, God circumcises your spiritual heart when you believe in him for salvation—he cuts your sin away . Will you be obedient to God, leaving the life of your flesh behind?(Colossians 2:11).
After healing from the circumcisions, they celebrate the Passover. Why attend church when it's time to fight battles? Remember, this is a holy war, and God is their commander— he'll help them fight. You're not in a holy war, but do you seek help from God when facing conflicts, or do you fight our own battles?
6. Remember and Gain Courage
The Passover celebrates how God brought the Israelites out of Egypt. This is an encouragement to the Israelites—the same God who fought for them in Egypt will fight for them against the Canaanites. They hadn't observed the Passover since they were at Mt. Sinai (Exodus 12:43-49; Numbers 9:1-4). (Colossians 2:11).Although you're not in a holy war, you can learn this lesson: complete victory requires complete obedience to our commander. .
This song goes well with this Bible study: Expect to Win
Here is a video that goes with today's Bible study. Stop at 10:22 mark.
Discussion
How can Christians prepare to win their spiritual battles?
What lessons can you learn from the battle of Jericho?
Endnote: The Bible Knowledge Commentary of the Old Testament, edited by Walvoord and Zuck, ©1985, p. 337
Focus Verse
Joshua 1:9 (NIV) “Have I [God] not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
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Looking Ahead: God gave the Israelites a great victory, however, secretly, there was sin in the camp. Our next lesson is trouble; how to handle it. Please join us!
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