God has given to every Christian many possessions and we should be living a victorious life.

1 – There are some possessions to possess (vs. 1-4)

Notice four things:-

• Release. The children of Israel were heading towards the Promised Land. Egypt was a land of bondage. They had come out of Egypt by a miracle. When a person becomes a Christian they come out of Egypt. They wandered in the desert before they came to Canaan. The nation was mostly carnal in nature until God brought them into the Promised Land.
• Refreshment. They had to eat manna in the desert every day and they could look forward to a land of abundance in the land of Canaan.
• Rest. It was a land of rest. It was rest while they worked.
• Reality. They were going to get the reality. They had heard about this land and now they were going to experience it.

They had not yet possessed their possessions. In God’s eyes, the land already belonged to them. They could pray FROM victory rather than FOR victory. Their enemies were already defeated.

2 – There is a promise to plead (vs. 5-6)

Joshua falls down. The question is now, “What do you want to say to me?” Joshua is teachable in the midst of a difficult task. Joshua thought he needed his sandals and sword. The Angel of the Lord tells Joshua to take off his sandals. Joshua has to recognise God’s presence in all this. God has to be given His place. God wants to make us more like Jesus. This is an important task.

• A conquering power – There is power to do everything God asks you to do. God will use you if you let him. The power is there for when you need it.
• A continuing presence – The promises did not die with Moses. It will not die with Joshua. God’s presence is always there. He does not die. He will not leave you alone.

We have all we need to possess our possessions.

3 – There is a person to prepare (vs. 7)

We have got to be strong, courageous and obedient. We are not this naturally. Joshua was flesh and blood. God supplies what you need. God wants you to do these three things in his strength. We are to choose to do the right things. We can choose to fail. It is the grace of God that helps us.

4 – There is a plan to pursue (vs. 8-9)

God’s plan is for us is simple.

• We are to proclaim the Word of God – There is power in the Word of God. It is a sword in your mouth. It will help you to take the land.
• We are to ponder the Word of God – It is enough to proclaim it. We are turning it over in our minds constantly. It is like humming a tune. It must dwell in our minds. We are to practice the Word of God – This is where the rubber hits the road.
• We are to practice the Word of God in our lives. The other two are pointless if you don’t do this one. See John 14:21. You must keep His commandments. The Lord will be real to you if you are real to Him. You must keep the Word of God. The people of Israel struggled to practice the Word of God.

It is time to start possessing your possessions. God has already provided. You can become a victorious Christian – if you obey.

Categories: Joshua