Joshua 10 - Steve Wiggins Daily Devotional

“So Joshua conquered the whole region – the hill country, the Negev, the Judean foothills, and the slopes – with all their kings, leaving no survivors. He completely destroyed every living being, as the L_rd, the G_d of Israel, had commanded. Joshua conquered everyone from Kadesh-barnea, to Gaza, and all the land of Goshen as far as Gibeon. Joshua captured all these kings and their land in one campaign, because the Lo_d, the G_d of Israel, fought for Israel. Then Joshua returned with all Israel to the camp at Gilgal. Joshua 10:40-43

If I asked you to name your “spiritual struggle”, you would probably describe one major area. It might be lust, sickness, drugs, finances, loneliness, lack of passion for the L_rd…

Would it surprise you to know that nobody is above temptation? The enemy even sought to directly tempt Yeshua, at the prime of the Messiah’s life, 30 yrs old! We are all tempted, we all have struggles and (unlike Yeshua) sometimes we give-in to temptation.

I confess that every time I have given-in to temptation, it has not been because G_d wasn’t able to deliver me. It was because I chose to not seek His deliverance.

We all battle temptations, and we seem to keep them in check, as long as we’re fighting one-at-a-time. But there are times when the “former inhabitants” join together and launch an allied offensive. You know the days?

You’re sick, and the car breaks down on the way to the doctor. When you try to pay the mechanic, your debit card is declined, and about that time, your old drug dealer calls. He’s just been taking to the person you used to date (before you followed Yeshua) and asks, “Hey, we want to know if you’re still a Jesus freak, because we want to party!”

The scenarios may be different, but those types of days happen to us all.

There was a time when 5 major kings banded together, to fight Israel. Joshua sought the L_rd, and those kings were defeated. “Because the L_rd, the G_d of Israel, fought for Israel”. Follow Joshua’s example: Completely destroy & bury the “former inhabitants”, so there’s no chance of their return.

Search for the L_rd, and you’ll find Him. Seek His righteousness, and He’ll give you a battle plan. Fight as He directs, and He’ll fight for you! If G_d goes before us, who can prevail against us? (Romans 8:28-31)

Blessings,
~Steve Wiggins
Daily Devotional, Saturday, July 26, 2014