And This is Victory...

If I had to say the #1 lesson from Joshua, it would be: settle the sin. If I had to say the #1 warning from Joshua, it would be: expect battles. Yet, Joshua is a book of victory. It is crossing to new land, getting into the place God wants you to be, winning battles (you and I now know how to win a battle – we might not be doing it yet, but we know how), going from victory to victory. Just so we’ll know it, just so we’ll recognize it when it comes… this is what victory looks like.

Land still…
To our dying day we will have land still to win for God, and in that land enemies reside. Knowing that enemies reside and not running from it; we expect it… this is not what defeat looks like – this is what victory looks like.
Giants removed…
A different kind of enemy, giants are connected to our fears. As you and I identify our giants, if the next thought is how to walk into our God-given land and route out the giants once and for all – then we’re beginning to think victory!
Seasons of rest…
I love these verses… then the land had rest from war, Joshua 14:15 and the Lord gave them rest on every side, Joshua 21:44. In the midst of winning the land, in the struggle, after the battle, after the giants were removed… God gave rest. And God does the same for us. Find your home base and get some rest.
Shelters throughout…
48 cities were given to the Levites and six were cities of refuge. The city gates were always unlocked just as the arms of Christ are opened wide to anyone who will come.
Rev. 22:17 The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.
We know His protection, we begin to live and breathe and work from under His protection. We know God and we know ourselves, where we flee for safety, our refuge and our strength, shelter from the storm. When we begin to find our shelter and safety in God and none other, we are walking in victory!
Many Gilgals…
Gilgal… home base; God graciously letting you and I do it over again. Instead of looking at a do-over with frustration, try seeing it as a unique opportunity, a privilege, to do it again, this time for God. This indeed is victory!

My last word on this season, on Joshua commentary, on the past off-the-chart weeks of Crossings is this: you are more prepared than you think you are to cross into new land. And, if you begin to process what victory really is, my guess is that, in some ways, you are already walking in it.
Amen and Amen.