I’m sorry I didn’t get this posted on Monday. Trying to stay true to my commitment on this experimental “Road Trip” series, but we’ve had a lot going on. Thank you for your grace!
I don’t really think about taking road trips into “enemy territory”.
I don’t like thinking of anyone as an enemy, and a “battle” image is not one I’m usually drawn to. I want to be a lover not a fighter.
But as I was reading Joshua 1-4 about his road trip across the Jordan and eventually into the enemy territory of Jericho, it struck me that we are constantly on a highway where the Enemy is actively trying to thwart our progress and we often forget that.
In John 16: 33 Jesus says, “In this world you will have trouble…”
And then there’s the whole lion thing in 1 Peter…
C. S. Lewis wrote, “There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. They themselves are equally pleased by both errors…”
I probably fall into the first camp of thinking too little of the schemes of Satan in my everyday world. After all, Satan in “Mayberry”? What?? But, daily the giants of envy, pride, bitterness, impatience, and selfishness lurk on the road. So it’s important that I pay attention to what Scripture says about the spiritual warfare I may be ignoring.
Read Joshua 1-4 (It’s so great!). What promises, phrases, and themes do you see repeated (especially in chapter 1) that make a difference in how you might go into your day?
Like a mom reassuring a toddler, God keeps saying here’s what I’M going to do. You can be strong and courageous BECAUSE I’m with you and I’M the one making your victory possible.
Those are the promises God makes – the things He’s going to do.
But there are two things He asks of Joshua and us also – that we obey Him, and that we honor Him by putting in place reminders of His faithfulness.
Questions
1. What you think of when you consider your part, God’s part, and Satan’s part in the challenges you face daily. Who are you most likely to “blame”?
2. In what way is your everyday world “enemy territory”? What are the top 2 “giants” that threaten to get you off track?
3. What is one way you can honor God today by acknowledging His faithfulness? What are your “12 stones” (4:21-24)?
4. What is the last part of John 16:33 that I left out?
