Daniel Fast- Called to Fight Until Victory預覽

Day 2: Let Us Bow to the Almighty

The book of Joshua begins on a triumphant note! In its first chapter, God lays the foundation for His relationship with the new leader, establishing promises and instructions that serve as an unwavering foundation for the ministry's inception.

The Lord gives three firm promises:

1) The Promise of Possession - Inheritance

2) The Promise of Victory

3) The Promise of God's Presence

Furthermore, God gives explicit instructions to Joshua, delineating the actions expected for success – urging prudence in handling all things that God entrusts and leaving no room for oversight.

Consider the promise of inheritance – a possession!

The vast expanse of land designated for Israel becomes a focal point. God meticulously outlines the boundaries of this inheritance, commanding Joshua to claim every inch without leaving a trace for the adversary. Joshua's mission is clear – to give Israel the land as a sacred inheritance and allocate portions among the tribes, honoring God's sworn covenant with Abraham.

In Scripture, we can read in detail about Israel's life. We can read examples of their faith and unbelief, behaviors, and choices. Israel is a model, a prototype, through which God imparts essential life lessons. These stories unfold to illuminate God's character, His ways, desires, and instructions for our understanding.

Much like Israel, we, too, have been granted a glorious inheritance. What, then, is our possession?

Peter writes that through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, we are born again into "an inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade…this inheritance is kept in heaven" (1 Peter 1:4). God's power safeguards this inheritance until the revelation of salvation in the last days. By faith, we partake in the culmination of our faith – the salvation of our souls (1 Peter 1:5, 9; 2:2).

We must daily remember and meditate on our eternal inheritance. Reminding and reiterating this to one another and our children should never be a source of shame!

Our focus should not be on the currency of this world, as it is not our hope, trust, aspiration, or pursuit!

“Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires” (2 Peter 1:4).

As we navigate life's journey, Peter exhorts us not to get too caught up in things that fade away in this world. Instead, day by day, we need to fill our lives with virtue, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, mutual affection, and love. Possessing these qualities in increasing measure guards against ineffectiveness and unproductivity in our knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 2:5-8).

In granting Israel the land as a possession, God pledged peace – a land flowing with milk and honey, a terrain where His victory over the enemy had already been secured.

Similarly, God extends to us, His beloved, promises of a future universe and a promised rest. Hebrews 3 and 4 teach us that before we can possess a place of rest, our hearts must embrace that rest. It's not just about a physical place; it's a state of being. To enter such a place, one must harbor a heart filled with the peace derived from faith and obedience to the Lord.

A whole generation of Israel lay in the wilderness without ever entering rest because of unbelief, discontent, disobedience, and grumblings filled their hearts. Disobedience always breeds rebellion and grumbling, which never bring peace.

Our position is infinitely more favorable than Israel's. We are born into God's family. We have become His children through the Holy Spirit who indwells us.

«For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him, the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.»

2 Corinthians 1:20

Reflection Questions:

1. Begin in prayer - Consider where your time, energy, finances, faith, and patience are directed.

2. What kind of inheritance are you pursuing—earthly or heavenly?

3. Has your heart become His sacred inheritance, a place where peace, strengthened by faith and obedience, prevails?

4. What is it that disturbs this peace? Where does your faith waver? In what areas are you grappling with obedience to the Lord?

5.Embrace the joy declared in Luke 10:20:

"But rejoice that your names are written in heaven." Reflect on your home, family, and community—is it a dwelling place for this heavenly joy? Consider how you can expand and fortify the heavenly boundaries here on earth. Whose names are you lifting in prayer, desiring that they too may have their names written in heaven?

Prayer

1. May we focus and meditate on the heavenly things in our lives.

2. May we have the zeal to expand the kingdom of heaven on earth and increase our heavenly inheritance.

3. Pray for the African Big Region – may they see multiplication of disciples and teams in the world of sport, play, and fitness.

4. "Lord, I humbly request that, by Your divine authority, You work in a _________________ (specific territory, be it a country, city, neighborhood, or a particular community). Overturn the forces of darkness beneath the heavens, dispelling the spirits of delusion and dismantling the various authorities seeking control in these regions. Open up the heavens, unleashing the power of the Holy Spirit in abundance!"