Possessing Our Possessions Pt2

For the LORD fought for Israel. Joshua 10:14 NKJV.

We’re looking at the book of Joshua, and how the LORD has possessions for us to possess.

The book of Joshua is one of the historical books of the Bible, and records the leadership of Joshua, various military campaigns and the quest to take possession of the promised land.

We’re looking at three key statements (truths) about possessing our possessions.

The first one was;

God has already given….

God had delivered the people from slavery. He led, fed and provided for them in the wilderness. Now as they near the promised land, all they really had to do was enter the land, destroy the people who were living there and take up residence.

But before they entered the land, it was already theirs. It belonged to them. God had already given it to them! Yes there was a battle to fight, but God promised them the victory.

Our second key statement is;

God fights for us.

You may have heard and read about how to gain and keep the victory, how to be a victor, or how to live a victorious life. The Israelites were given the land, but they had to move on to their land and destroy its inhabitants.

• And they said to Joshua, “Truly the Lord has delivered all the land into our hands, for indeed all the inhabitants of the country are fainthearted because of us.” Joshua 2:24 NKJV.
• And Joshua said to the people, “Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you.” Joshua 3:5 NKJV.

There’s a pattern in Joshua; it is in simple terms, God fights, Israel possess. Here’s what we repeatedly see in the book of Joshua:

1. The Lord delivers the enemy.
2. The Lord fights for Israel.
3. The Lord destroys opposing powers.
4. Israel participates, but God secures the victory.

This establishes a covenant warfare pattern:

1. Divine initiative.
2. Human obedience.
3. Supernatural victory.
4. Inherited rest.

In Joshua the Israelites fought the Canaanites, the Amorites and fortified cities. In the new covenant we are up against sin, Satan, death, principalities and powers. The battlefield shifts from geographical territory to spiritual dominion.

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12 NKJV.

When we come to Jesus and are born again, God has promised us so much, He has already given us so much. He had already given us the victory. The trouble is, often there’s mind-sets, beliefs and strongholds that are persistent and want to stay where they are – in our life and thoughts and beliefs.

The truth is, that Jesus has utterly destroyed the enemy’s power over us. (We celebrate that every easter, which is not far away). Why? Because Jesus is the greater Joshua.

The name “Joshua” (Hebrew: Yehoshua) means “The LORD is salvation.” “Jesus” (Greek: Iēsous) is the same name. Joshua brought Israel into earthly inheritance. Jesus brings His people into eternal inheritance.

The Cross as the Ultimate Divine Battle. God Fights — Through the Son.

And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the (certificate of debt with its) handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it. Colossians 2:13-15 NKJV.

Notice the warfare language. Disarmed. Public spectacle. Triumph. Just as the LORD routed kings in Joshua 10, Christ routs spiritual rulers at the Cross.

I love the daily confessions of the late Derek prince. Here’s part of one about our body.

The devil has no place in me, no power over me, no unsettled claims against me. All has been settled by the blood of Jesus. I overcome Satan by the blood of the lamb and by the word of my testimony and I love not my life until the death. My body is for the Lord and the Lord is for my body.

(See https://www.derekprince.com/cards/c-pc04-100).

• Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.
  Romans 8:33-34 NKJV.
• And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.
  Revelation 12:11 NKJV.

Yes God has given us so so much. He has given us possessions to possess. But in the process of possessing them we are involved in a spiritual battle. But Jesus fights with us and for us. And He is always victorious.

Here’s some great truths about this, (exact source unknown).

1. We do not fight for victory — we fight from
2. Spiritual battles are enforced realities, not uncertain outcomes.
3. Obedience positions us to possess what Christ has already secured.
4. Rest is not inactivity — it is confidence in accomplished
5. The Church advances not by sword, but by proclamation of a finished triumph.

Possession Our Possessions. Ah yes. God has already given. God fights for us. But what are some of these possessions the LORD has given us to possess? Let’s find out some of what they are in the next Brief Word.

My friend, you are very rich; in spiritual possessions God has given you. And Jesus, is our victory. In Him we inherit land – spiritual territory.

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 NKJV.