THE BATTLE BELONGS TO THE LORD: 2 - Taking Jericho
Taking ground in life is seasonal/cyclical
Illus: grandchildren learning to ride bikes
Vision
Effort
Pushback
Battle
Possession
NEXT
This is every believer’s journey. Your path to victory will be unique.
During this sub-series, we will lean into Biblical principles for navigating battles. BUT when you follow Jesus, THE BATTLE BELONGS TO THE LORD!
Joshua 6:1 (ESV) Now Jericho was shut up inside and outside because of the people of Israel. None went out, and none came in.
CONTEXT:
God had promised the Israelites Canaan
Israel has left Egypt, following Moses, pillar of fire, cloud and and Angel of the Lord.
The come to their first (and key) city and it is locked down
Jericho represents things that are yours, but are shut up.
Jericho is often “first things” designed to discourage your from taking the first of many Jerichos in life.
Philippians 3:12 (NIV) Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.
Research Your Land
Joshua 2:1 (ESV) And Joshua the son of Nun sent two men secretly from Shittim as spies, saying, “Go, view the land, especially Jericho.” And they went and came into the house of a prostitute whose name was Rahab and lodged there.
The Kingdom of Heaven (ground you are to take and enjoy while following Jesus) is uncovered with effort
Matthew 13:44 The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
Research has natural value and uncovers what is
Don’t let research become some pragmatic that it discounts GOD!
Determining “How many loaves and fishes are there?” allows us to discover the size of miracle needed
Lift Up Your Eyes
We have a tendency to look down
To the natural
To what is
To natural solutions
Joshua 5:13 (ESV) “When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us, or for our adversaries?””
Psalm 121:1-2 (ESV) I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
2 Kings 6:16–17 (ESV) He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
Regard Your Land As Holy
Joshua 5:14-15 (ESV) “And he said, “No; but I am the commander of the army of the Lord. Now I have come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to him, “What does my Lord say to his servant?” And the commander of the Lord’s army said to Joshua, “Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.”
Never allow what God has give/is giving you to EVER become common
QODESH - sacred, set apart, belonging to god.
The profound reality - Joshua 1:3 Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
Play Spirit-Filled Music To Prepare For Spiritual Victories
Music has physical, emotional and spiritual qualities
Bring spiritual music into spiritual battles
Joshua 6:4-5 Seven priests shall bear seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark. On the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets. And when they make a long blast with the ram’s horn, when you hear the sound of the trumpet, then all the people shall shout with a great shout, and the wall of the city will fall down flat, and the people shall go up, everyone straight before him.””
1 Samuel 16:23 And whenever the harmful spirit from God was upon Saul, David took the lyre and played it with his hand. So Saul was refreshed and was well, and the harmful spirit departed from him.
Carry His Presence Into Battle
Don’t just pray and then venture into battle,
Engage and experience God’s Presence and carry His Presence into the fight!
Joshua 6:11 So he caused the ark of the Lord to circle the city, going about it once. And they came into the camp and spent the night in the camp.”
God’s Presence Is The Difference-Maker!
Exodus 33:15-16 And he said to him, “If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here. For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people? Is it not in your going with us, so that we are distinct, I and your people, from every other people on the face of the earth?”
Seek The LORD FIRST
Joshua 6:12 Then Joshua rose early in the morning, and the priests took up the ark of the Lord.”
There is something to be said about the discipline of getting God on you FIRST so He can get on everything you face.
Mark 1:35 And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.
Psalm 5:3 O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch.
It is not easy, but FIRST is a principle!!!
Joshua 6:12 So the people shouted, and the trumpets were blown. As soon as the people heard the sound of the trumpet, the people shouted a great shout, and the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they captured the city.