OUR BATTLE WITH LIFE'S STRONGHOLDS - Joshua5:13-6:5; 20-21
 

The ancient city of Jericho was a great walled city. History tells us that it was surrounded by 2 massive stone walls. The outer wall was 6 feet thick and 20 feet high. The inner wall was 12 feet thick and 30 feet high. There was a 15 foot guarded walkway between these two walls. Before they could go deeper into the land of Canaan, Jericho had to fall first.

For us, this ancient city represents those things that are entrenched and rooted in our lives that prevent us from going on with God! Regardless of how pious you may want to think you are, there are things embedded in your life that hinder your walk with God. Whatever it is, it is a stronghold in your life and it stands between you and God's best for your life. Before you will ever receive all God has for you, that stronghold must be torn down!

I. 5:13-15 INVOLVES CONFRONTATION

A. With The Person Of God-This pictures the matter of Salvation. Before we can continue on to victory, we must first commence the journey. And, the journey is commenced at salvation.

B. With The Position Of God-This speaks of the great matter of our Sanctification. Sanctification is us acknowledging Him to be Lord in every area of our lives.

C. With The Power Of God- These speak to us about Surrender. What a lesson for the church! God is saying to this church this evening, "I am not here to take sides, I am here to take over!"

II. 6:1-5 INVOLVES CONFIDENCE--

A.     V.1-2 In God's Promises-Before Joshua goes to battle against the city of Jericho, he is reminded of the Lord's promises.

1-Past Promises -Josh. 2:9 The past promises reminded Joshua of what the Lord had promised to do. Rahab had known about these promises for 40 years.

2-Present Promises - Josh. 6:2. The present promises reminded Joshua that the Lord had not changed His mind about the matter. God still intended to give Israel the victory in this matter.

B. V. 3-5a In God's Plan-On the surface, God's plan for Israel's victory seems really strange. After all, what was really required of Israel to bring the walls of Jericho down? Nothing! When you get right down to it, all they had to do was to follow God's plan and the walls would fall down flat.

1.       They were to take seven priests. Priests are a picture of an advocate, or one who stood between men and God. This is a picture of a complete or perfect Advocate.

2.       They were to take seven ram's horn trumpets. The ram was a picture of Atonement.

3.       They were to take the ark of the covenant. The ark  

represents the Lord Jesus Christ in all of His fulness. These remind us that He is the fulfillment of the Law.

4.       They were simply to take these things and walk with

them around the city. God promised them that the walls of Jericho would fall down as a result! He wanted them to do nothing but to walk by faith!

C. V. 5b In God's Power - Israel was about to learn the truth that victory was in the Lord and not in themselves. They were about to participate in the strangest victory in the annuls of history. For them, victory would come about, not as the result of trying, but as the result of merely trusting God.

III. 6:6-21 INVOLVES CONQUEST

A. V. 6-15 Involved Determination - As has already been said, they simply did it God's way. When you do it God's way, there will always be victory! All we need to do is patiently do it God's way.

B. V. 16-20 Involved Dedication-Israel kept going in their dedication until they passed from the realm of their own power, into the realm of the power of God! That's the point of them shouting before the wall fell down! They were praising God for the victory by faith, even before it could be seen with the eyes! That is what faith is all about, Heb. 11:1. That kind of faith honors the Lord!

C. V. 21 Involved Death - After the walls fell down, the Israelites went into Jericho and killed everything that lives, with the exception of Rahab and her family, v. 22-25. Does this seem extreme to you? God knew that if the people of Jericho were allowed to live, they would influence the people of Israel away from Him. So, when the walls of that stronghold came down, everyone in the city had to die.

Conc: What is it that is keeping you from going forward with God? Is it lust? Is it hatred? Is it envy? Is it unforgiveness? Is it a bitter, critical spirit? Whatever it is, that stronghold needs to be conquered right now. Will you bring it to the Lord and defeat it His way?

Some of you are trying so hard. I invite you to come to Jesus, lay down you sword, hand Him your shoe and say, "Lord, I can”t do it, but you can." He will change your life. He will enable you to live for His glory.

Whatever the nature of the strongholds in your life may be, there is help and hope in the Person of Jesus tonight.