COV LIFE BLOG

Joshua 10 – God Works Victory For His People

Such is the way in which Christians also must obtain deliverance. If they attempt to resist their enemies in their own strength, they will infallibly be vanquished: but if they betake themselves to prayer, they cannot but succeed. Prayer calls Omnipotence to their aid: and while it is yet offering, God will both heat and answer it. Behold the Apostle Paul, how sorely he was beset, how grievously he was assaulted: yet scarcely had he been able thrice to repeat his cry for help, before the Lord answered him, “My grace is sufficient for thee:” and immediately you behold him triumphing, as if all his enemies were lying prostrate at his feet Thus the Christian, whatever confederacy be formed against him, has only to cry unto the Lord for help, saying, “I have no might against this great company that cometh against me, neither know I what to do;” and the victory will be no longer doubtful. The devil himself could not stand before such a prayer as that, but would instantly be put to flight. Joshua felt that there was danger of his coming too late: but no such danger exists in relation to the Christian; for his Lord is always near, a present, “a very present help in the time of trouble.”
 
Thus shall the Christian also be enabled to say with the Apostle, “Thanks be unto God, who always causeth us to triumph in Christ!” When once he has entered into covenant with Christ, “sin shall no more have dominion over him;” “being Christ’s, he shall be enabled to crucify the flesh with the affections and lusts. ” Yea, God will so give him the victory, that “Satan himself shall be bruised under his feet shortly.” See the victories granted to David in answer to his prayer: these were a counterpart of those recorded in the text, and of those also which every true Christian shall experience.
 
In like manner are we also taught to regard our victories as pledges of future and greater conquests. Whilst we are in this militant state, we shall find many enemies to encounter. Sometimes they may appear so formidable as almost to defy Omnipotence itself. But we need not fear. There are at all times “more with us than with them;” “we shall always have Jehovah himself on our side;” and “if God be for us, who can be against us?” Our own weakness is no ground of fear; because God “will perfect his own strength in our weakness” and “instead of breaking the bruised reed or quenching the smoking flax, he will bring forth judgment unto victory.” In this light then let us view the menaces and assaults of all our enemies: they shall only be the means of displaying and magnifying the power of our God. Only let us remember that encouraging direction, “Call upon me in the time of trouble, and I will hear thee, and thou shalt glorify me,” and then may we rest assured, that “no weapon which is formed against us shall prosper.” Yea, we may defy all the powers of earth and hell ever “to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Charles Simeon

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SCRIPTURES FOR THIS SUNDAY
Read Joshua 10:1-28 and consider the way that God works for his people’s deliverance – most significantly in our salvation. How does knowing God work for the victory of his people, though not always victory the way we perceive it, make a difference in your life? What difference can it make?

SONG FOR THIS WEEK
God Is For Us by City Alight