MOSES: VICTORIOUS THROUGH JOSHUA

And Joshua captured all the cities of these kings,
and all their kings, and he struck them with the
edge of the sword, and utterly destroyed them;
just as Moses the servant of the Lord had
commanded. Joshua 11:12

Joshua, fresh of facing the 5 kings led by gathered by king Adoni-Zedek of Jerusalem, once again faces a conglomeration of kings led by Hazor. Hazor followed the same pattern as Adoni-Zedek faces the same fate. Fighting the servant of God proved to be as expected. He gathered other kings, aware that he needed the help of every king he could amass to defeat the King of Kings.

These victories displayed the power of the Kingdom of God; Israel, and the faith and leadership of Joshua. But not only did they display the power of their army, the confirmed the power of God’s Word. While everyone was carrying out the battle plan, Joshua was fighting with more than the agreement between his captains and generals, He was fulfilling the Word of the Lord.

Long before Joshua faced his first king, he was privy to walk along side his mentor and spiritual father Moses. Moses, though gone, was still present in the life of Joshua, having served him greatly through both word and deed. Joshua had watched Moses spend time with the Lord, and marveled as he walked in faith according to what he heard from God.

Joshua watched Moses believe as he wandered in the wilderness. Joshua watched as Moses stood outside the promised land, believing God for what had yet to be obtained. Joshua watched Moses respond to his return with the fruit from the land and saw his steady face and hand as he talked about the giants in the land that were waiting to defend their territory. Joshua listened as Moses recount the promise of God, and march forward believing the providence of God.

Watching and Listening to Moses; Joshua
was shaped, molded and convicted about himself
and about the God he serves.

Moses was standing with Joshua in this moment. He learned from Moses and was following his example. Moses stood victorious in the wars won by Joshua and Israel because they were Prophesied first to Moses. Even in Joshua’s victory, Moses was validated as God’s servant.

Moses was promised that Israel would lay the kings in the promised land to rest, along with their people, their culture and their gods. Though this did not occur in Moses’ life time, God’s Word was fulfilled in Joshua’s life time. Moses died having seen and experienced the fruit from the promised land, but did not received the promise or the prosperity it would bring. He died knowing God would fulfill it, but knowing he wouldn’t get fulfillment from it. Yet, he served and continued to lead the his people.

Joshua was the continuation of what God started through Moses. He walked towards a promise not given to him, but fulfilled through him. Joshua had to believe that God would honor His word in His own time. Joshua, like Moses, had to accept God’s promise as true, though it was guarantee without a delivery date. Joshua and Moses had to walk in faith, and help other’s overcome doubt through their faith.

So the question for us today is not…
“Will God Fulfill His promise?”,
but
“When will God Fulfill His Promise?”

A Promise from God is not like a Promise from man. Man fulfills his word based on the his feelings about The Circumstances, and God fulfills His Word because of His Character. Man’s circumstances are a variable to any equation, but the character of God is consistent.

Joshua was able to live out the fulfillment of a promise made to His predecessor. Why? He saw why his predecessor wasn’t able to fulfill the promise made to him. Moses missed the promise because he didn’t believe God’s Word, thus didn’t follow His instructions.

Joshua was determined to be obedient to God, trusting His Word to become a fulfilled promise.

Joshua chose to speak to his rock.
And God chose to honor His Word!
Are you speaking to your rock?

What do you believe about God’s Word? Are you willing to follow God’s Word? Are you willing to push beyond your fears? Are you willing to take on major challenges? What do you believe about God’s Word both Past and Present?

We pray for the improbable!
We seek the impossible!
But we don’t believe that all things are possible.

The improbable is not possible or probable with God, but it is actual. You can depend on God’s Word, and will experience great victories, accomplishing great feats, and overcoming great challenges when we depend on God. Sadly, there are some undefeated kings because we have not been obedient to the Word God gave us.

I believe victory is found when we are obedient to His will and willing to sacrifice our fear, will, desires, and ego which often prevent us fully trusting and stepping out on His word and truth. God’s Word is a stable foundation, and we must remain steadfast, trusting it as not to creating new paths that are more comfortable to abide in.

#PastorJDO3