March 22, 2006 - Joshua 10-12 and Luke 1:39-56
Today, we read God's formula for victory. Israel was completely victorious over their enemies during this time. God wants us to live a life of victory each day, too. The formula is the same today as it was then. How is your life? Are you experiencing victory today?
The first part of God's formula for victory is to follow God's plan in faith. God caused all of the kings of the land to come out and attack Israel. (11:19,20) None of them wanted to make peace. God knew they would do this, so He used it to destroy them like He destroyed Pharaoh in Egypt. However, this could have been overwhelming to the Israelites. They could have been scared to death to see such multitudes coming against them. (11:4) They could have asked for God to do it their way and to just fight one king at a time. That would be the safe way, but it was not God's way. I am glad they trusted God. They were totally obedient to do it God's way and allow God to give them the victory. (11:15) So do you see the formula? God's plan plus total obedience equals total victory. We must always keep this in mind we when are tempted to make a plan of our own or to be partially obedient.
An extra ingredient in God's formula for success is miracles. Whenever we are faithful to Him in His plan, He can choose to work a miracle like He did here. He can even cause the sun to stand still, if that is what we need to win the victory. We must simply trust His power and know that God can do anything. We must not allow our lives to be confined to the realm of what we think is possible. With God all things are possible. Therefore, the Israelites won the victory. They conquered the 31 kings of the land. This was not the entire Promised land, but it was a great start. They had found God's formula for success. All they had to do was continue to follow the plan.
Luke 1 gives us even more insights into victory. Think of how Elizabeth and Mary experienced God's victory. Elizabeth was able to conceive a baby in her old age, even though she had been barren. Mary was carrying the Lord Jesus Christ. (1:43) Think of the joy and the blessing of all of this. Then, Mary's song shows us how this was possible. It was all the Lord. (v.49) Mary gave Him the credit. God is able to bring down the mighty and exalt the lowly. (v.52) That is what He did for Elizabeth and Mary, and that is what He wants to do for you and me, if we will submit to His plan in faith and be totally obedient like these two ladies. I pray that all of us will follow God's formula for victory today. Ask God to show you His plan. Then obey Him all of the way, even if it takes a miracle.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Joshua 13-15 and Luke 1:57-80.
The first part of God's formula for victory is to follow God's plan in faith. God caused all of the kings of the land to come out and attack Israel. (11:19,20) None of them wanted to make peace. God knew they would do this, so He used it to destroy them like He destroyed Pharaoh in Egypt. However, this could have been overwhelming to the Israelites. They could have been scared to death to see such multitudes coming against them. (11:4) They could have asked for God to do it their way and to just fight one king at a time. That would be the safe way, but it was not God's way. I am glad they trusted God. They were totally obedient to do it God's way and allow God to give them the victory. (11:15) So do you see the formula? God's plan plus total obedience equals total victory. We must always keep this in mind we when are tempted to make a plan of our own or to be partially obedient.
An extra ingredient in God's formula for success is miracles. Whenever we are faithful to Him in His plan, He can choose to work a miracle like He did here. He can even cause the sun to stand still, if that is what we need to win the victory. We must simply trust His power and know that God can do anything. We must not allow our lives to be confined to the realm of what we think is possible. With God all things are possible. Therefore, the Israelites won the victory. They conquered the 31 kings of the land. This was not the entire Promised land, but it was a great start. They had found God's formula for success. All they had to do was continue to follow the plan.
Luke 1 gives us even more insights into victory. Think of how Elizabeth and Mary experienced God's victory. Elizabeth was able to conceive a baby in her old age, even though she had been barren. Mary was carrying the Lord Jesus Christ. (1:43) Think of the joy and the blessing of all of this. Then, Mary's song shows us how this was possible. It was all the Lord. (v.49) Mary gave Him the credit. God is able to bring down the mighty and exalt the lowly. (v.52) That is what He did for Elizabeth and Mary, and that is what He wants to do for you and me, if we will submit to His plan in faith and be totally obedient like these two ladies. I pray that all of us will follow God's formula for victory today. Ask God to show you His plan. Then obey Him all of the way, even if it takes a miracle.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Joshua 13-15 and Luke 1:57-80.