Victorious LivingSample

VICTORIOUS LIVING

INTRODUCTION

The list of Joshua and the Israelites’ victories were recorded completely in Joshua 11-12. This note not only told us historical truth but also told us about how the experience and faith journey of an ordinary man who was used by God. Likewise, Joshua, we are ordinary people as well but have been given a privilege to be indwelt by the Holy Spirit. He is the One who makes the work of believers' hands become extraordinary.

Entering a new season this year, as God's people, we are reminded by the story of Joshua who brought the Israelites into the land of Canaan. The journey into the plan of God is marked by victory after victory. This is the way God works in His people's life, whenever He brings us to enter a new level, His promise is victory. This good news is not just a figment, but it is God's own promise to us. If God is on our side, then who is our opponent? There is none! Therefore, when entering a new season, it is necessary for us to have faith that God will bring us to see victory. Victory over old sins, old habits, struggles, and spiritual warfare, triumph over Satan's tricks, and other triumphs.

DISCUSSION

There are three principles in which we can learn from the story of Joshua that we can apply to experience victory.

1. Hearing and Conducting God's Guidance

One interesting thing about the entering of the Israelites into Canaan was when Joshua came to God and asked for HIS guidance. As the leader of a great nation, he did not step on the move and make decisions on his own. God trained Joshua to be sensitive to every word that God revealed to him. 

A wonderful word given to Joshua from the Lord was recorded in chapter 1, verse 8, namely: "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” 

The Torah that God meant was the whole Words of God from the beginning to the time of Moses. They were records of the miraculous deeds of God's hands that have led the believers to live in submission to the living God. All of us believe that the word of God we have today is the proof of God's might in guiding His children to experience victory. 

There is no other more important priority than to meditate on the Word of God all the time, for the words we read and ponder will work supernaturally to guide us to the will of God.

2. Believing God is the only source of strength

There was no single fixed strategy used by God for Joshua to fight against the enemy. God threw Joshua's enemies with stones from the sky, He disrupted the enemy, even God stopped the sun and moon, and many more ways God defeated Joshua’s enemies. Those were extraordinary, weren’t they? Something that no human can understand. Joshua knew perfectly that the reason was only one, that was; God Himself who fought for the Israeli so that no one could stop them. Joshua's strength was God Himself. This was the key to the triumph of his life journey.

Isn’t that the same God who exists and loves us perfectly? Therefore, start by relying on the Almighty God, the God who brought Joshua to win battles and He also wants us to win the battles in our lives today. No problem will be too hard for our Lord, the problem is; will we still believe and be faithful and surrendered totally to Him?

3. Have an Active faith.

Joshua's faith was an active faith, not the passive one, it was a commitment. Commitment is something that is done and kept ongoing. Whenever Joshua had to confront an enemy, God simply said: "Do not be afraid!", Because that's exactly what Joshua needed. Who would not be afraid to see the number of enemies whose body size was much bigger? As the Canaanites were giant. This was not a myth or fairy tale, indeed the inhabitants of that country all were big, tall and, well-trained at war. While the Israeli troops were only ex-slaves who wandered in the desert for 40 years. However, Joshua's faith was an active faith, for he not only believed but also moved forward. Often the miracles in our lives will only  happen when we begin to walk. Show our faith to those around us that believe not only need to keep in the heart but also need to take an action. Believe that the new victory will be received if we begin to activate the faith as what has been exemplified by Joshua.

CLOSING

Living victoriously is not a cheap item that we can accept easily. We need to do our part then after that God will do His part. Live victorious is the result of our obedience to Him, complete obedience, and not only a part of it. Obedience only in some ways is not obedience at all. Therefore, if at the beginning of this year God asked us to move, to do something then take a step with active faith, and later God will allow our eyes to see His miraculous deeds. Begin by meditating on His words every moment, then we will find His heart, obey His will, and this is the victory.