Don't give an INCH

Introduction

Joshua 9...This is such a fitting chapter of the Bible for us to dive into the MIDWK after REACH WKND. Why do I say that? Who remembers what happened in Joshua 8? We had this beautiful picture of Israel repenting of sin, cutting it out of their life, receiving victory over something that they had previously lost to (Ai), and then what did they do? They went to the mountaintops of where? If you get this I’ll give you a prize. Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim! They had a massive worship service on top of those two mountains and down in the valley as they looked over the whole promised land that God was going to give them. They had a mountaintop experience. Just like us at REACH WKND. It was a time of spiritual victory, a spiritual high, but this is an important time in your walk with God because it’s also a time when Satan attacks because he knows we are apt to trust in our experiences rather than in the Lord. The moment we let down our guard and think we have it made because of our past spiritual experiences, we are most vulnerable to the devil’s attacks. The judgment of God’s word here is that they “…did not ask for counsel of the Lord.” (9:14)

A few things that we learn here in Joshua 9:

1) As Christians, we are involved in deadly spiritual warfare with a power far superior to our own strength.

(2) To be delivered from our opponent and his schemes, we must cloth ourselves with our spiritual armor that’s given to us in Christ.

(3) The offensive weapons given to us by the Lord are the Word of God and prayer. Without the Word and prayer, we are sitting ducks.

(4) When God’s people are victorious or are prospered, it seems Satan doubles his efforts in attacks against them.

Satan’s subtle slip

All of our constant struggles as Christians have one objective: Full salvation and complete deliverance from sin. A battle won doesn’t necessarily mean a victorious war. On the other hand, a battle lost doesn’t mean that everything is hopeless. As long as sin lasts, conflict goes on. No sin or evil is significant or can be treated lightly: to compromise with Satan is to bring disaster. SO DON’T GIVE AN INCH. You guys have all received a little piece of paper that has an inch on it.

The secret to winning a war lies in the strategy. Look at how strategic Joshua was and how carefully they planned to attack those in the promised land in order to take it. He began by driving a wedge right in the middle of the promised land by defeating Jericho. This split the enemy opposition. When he did that he took away any ability for the people in the north and the south to combine together to become one great army. He will go on to head south, defeat those in the south, then head north later to finish the job. Joshua was strategic in their battle plans. It was carefully planned.

The issue with so many of us Christians is that we fail to apply divine strategy to daily living. If our Christian lives are hit or miss, it shouldn’t be surprising that we miss more than we hit! (Pause) Very seldom does the Christian apply himself to daily disciplined action or to planned war against the enemy.

The result is that many of us are completely outmaneuvered by Satan, who, is a master strategist. Satan isn’t just a roaring lion, but also a subtle snake. The roar of a lion is way less dangerous than the hiss of a snake.

Sprinkle of Application: If Satan is a strategist, then how much more should we plan out and be intentional for the Kingdom of Heaven? How are you planning to go on the offensive for the Kingdom?

The victories of the Israelites had made the word spread to the North and the South. The different tribes stopped fighting each other, put every difference they had aside to make an all-out effort to turn the tide against Israel. Know this: The more boldly the Christian faith advances, the more vocal and violent the opposition will become. (Say it again) Every time you step into and experience blessing from God you are on the verge of another attack from the enemy. Our blessings and battles go side by side. Here this: If you are being pressed on every front and are in the thick of the fight. PRAISE GOD!!! If you are being tempted right and left it is because you are going right through with the will of God in blessing. But if you’re feeling the other way like “I don’t know what he’s talking about; I haven’t been tempted in years…you need to get before the Lord and ask Him to show you what is wrong in your life.

So the Gibeonites decided to trick the Israelites. And Joshua and the leaders took the bait. (Tell the story) The subtle deception is what got to Joshua. Remember, the hiss of the snake is more dangerous than the roar of the lion. Satan knows that the Christian, the fully committed Christian, is not going to be trapped by an open frontal attack. So what does he do? He speaks to us about alliances that appear to be very enticing. He speaks to us about a certain part of our lives that he suggests the Lord Jesus has no authority and the things Christ has given no command against. He tells us “don’t overdo it” “don’t become one of those Christians that are just TOO MUCH” ya know what I’m saying? I want to be a Christian but I don’t want to be one of those Christians that are just TOO MUCH. They take their faith TOO seriously. Satan doesn’t come to you asking for it ALL. He comes up with small compromises that turn into big regrets.

Sprinkle of Application: Where do you see yourself more able to compromise? Are you aware of Satan’s tactics? Has he been trying to play this game on you? Persuading you that you must take things more easily, that you shouldn’t go all in for Jesus? Keep your guard up and don’t give Satan an INCH.

The Error of Prayerlessness

Joshua and the leaders of Israel made a major mistake: Look at verse 14 “So the men took some of their provisions, but did not ask counsel from the Lord.”

It seems to take us a long time to learn the lesson that neglect of prayer always leads to trouble, and destroys the spirit of discernment. It’s always a mistake for us to lean on our own wisdom or judgment and make our own plans apart from God’s direction. It was a mistake then… and it still is today. Proverbs 3:5-7 says this “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and turn away from evil.”

Though Satan knows he can never really defeat the Lord and he knows that he is a defeated enemy, he still turns to his tricks and deceptive ways to defeat God’s purposes for and with His people. Many times Satan will play off of our own common sense. But we should always go to God with everything. Never, never, EVER trust your own judgment in anything. When common sense says the course is right, lift your heart to God, for the path of faith and the path of blessing may be in a direction completely opposite to common sense.

Be okay with slowing down in order to take time to pray and talk to God and seek clarity and guidance from Him. If you are called on to act and you don’t have time to pray, then don’t act yet. Be strong enough and brave enough to dare to stand and wait on God, for none of them that wait on Him shall ever be ashamed.

God turns messes into ministry

Some of you may be thinking “I have already made my mistake; I’ve already messed up. It’s too late for me!” That’s a lie from the devil. Satan’s most subtle attack is this: “get the Christian to mess up and then whisper into their ear, “I’ve got you tied.” The beautiful response to that when we look at v. 21 when it says “And the leaders said to them, “Let them live.” So they became cutters of wood and drawers of water for all the congregation, just as the leaders had said of them.” Even as Satan whispers in subtle ways, God still has the answer in those moments. We may make mistakes, we may lose some battles, but listen disheartened, discouraged Christian: the war can still be won. Thank

As a result of the Gibeonite deception…the very thing they hoped to retain (their freedom-was lost). But the curse eventually became a blessing. Their punishment was to keep the altar fire going and draw water for the cleansing ritual of the temple.

This is the amazing way the grace of God works. He is still able to turn a curse into a blessing. While it is true that the natural consequences of our sin generally have to run their course, God in His grace not only forgives but in many cases He actually overrules our mistakes and brings blessings out of sin. They had the privilege of being brought close to the Lord and spiritual things on a regular basis. It is interesting that in later years, when Israelites would go into idolatry, the Gibeonites would still be standing at the altar where the true God ordained that sacrifices should be made for sins. As a result of what they had seen God do for Israel, they became convinced, like Rahab, that Israel’s God was the true God. Like Rahab, they evidently became loyal believers.

The beautiful thing for us today is this. The things that I have done in the past, the sins I have committed, the wrong I have done, though the memory of it often haunts my life, is what now drives me daily to the Cross for cleansing, for forgiveness, for power. The terrible man who once was bound by sin discovers that the very sin that bound hi is now the blessing, that more than anything else, brings him to consecrated service to his Savior Jesus.