“Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.” Romans 8:37
E.G. Cherry begins his great hymn, We Rest On Thee, by writing: “We rest on Thee, our Shield and our Defender: We go not forth alone against the foe; Strong in Thy strength, save in Thy keeping tender, We rest on Thee, and in Thy name we go.” What do we discover through these lines? The first thing is the clear declaration of the object of faith, none other than the Lord Himself. The second is the believer’s attitude of faith, not represented by passivity, but by the entirety of his expectation, hope, and assurance, “resting” wholly on the Lord. He then declares how he is appropriating the Lord. He takes Him, and rightly so, as his Shield, his Protector, against a spiritual enemy greater than himself, and his Defender, that One who actively, with all power and authority, overcomes, drives away, and protects the Christian warrior. The Lord’s soldier goes forth into battle with the knowledge that he is not alone, but that the Lord, his Captain, is not only with him, but is actively strengthening and keeping him. It is in the powerful Name of the Lord Jesus that, not only is the battle engaged, but the attitude of faith is a victorious one.
After the Lord had spoken to Joshua about his mission to take the people of Israel over the Jordan river, then to conquer Canaan, He revealed Himself to him as the “Captain of the Lord of Hosts.” This revelation was necessary for Joshua to understand that the conflict before him was not a flesh and blood matter primarily, but a spiritual one, where the powers of darkness manipulate that which is of flesh and blood to oppose the people of God. This great Captain, the victorious Christ, alone is able, willing, and committed to seeing His will done, even in the face of great resistance and spiritual conflict. Joshua is therefore called upon to see Him as holy, his Captain whom he is to follow, and the very confirmation of the victory that is his.
What therefore must Joshua BE if he is to accomplish his monumental task? He must first be certain of his calling. This is accomplished by the Lord speaking to him: “Moses, my servant is dead; now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel.” (Josh. 1:2) In submitting to that command, there are two promises that Joshua is to believe, and they have to do with his victory. The first is, “Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that I have given unto you, as I said unto Moses.” (v.3) Within the limits of the will of God, and the task at hand, there is not a place where Joshua walks, that is not a place where the victory of Christ is not to be manifested. Secondly, “There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” (v.4) Joshua goes into battle with the God-given assurance that there is no enemy that he cannot conquer if he follows the Lord according to his ways. The great certainty of God’s provision at every moment is seen in His words: “I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”
That which is key for Joshua to remain in an attitude of faith and truth, going forth according to the will of God, is obedience to the Lord’s command: “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth, but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest do according to all that is written therein.” (v.8) Herein is the promise of victory, “…then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” God’s work, done in God’s way, will never lack God’s supply.”
Dear Father, Give us grace today to be strong, courageous, and faithful, resting in Thee, as we go forth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.