I was reading the story of Rahab. (She is one of the women highlighted in the book Faithful. This book is beautiful and inspiring. I hope you will read it and listen to the music from the project.)

God shifted my look to Joshua and the people of Israel.  I don’t like to think about their conquest.  It is hard for me to see our holy and loving God sending out an army to annihilate kingdoms and peoples.  But God commanded Joshua to go reclaim Canaan and destroy all of the people living there.  

I have to remember that there are no stories unheard by heaven.  There are no hearts overlooked and truly evil had taken over these cities and peoples. God’s mercy is confirmed in the story of Rahab, whose faith saved her house from destruction in Jericho.  

Back to Joshua…

I love that he was afraid.  One of my favorite verses in all of scripture is found in Joshua 1:9, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”  

The words “be strong and courageous” are mentioned three different times in just chapter 1.  God knows Joshua needed to hear it, and we do too.

Sisters, He sent them to battle to reclaim the land He had promised them, and He went first. Rahab tells us that the word was out.  People had heard of Yahweh who had parted the Red Sea and delivered the Isrealites from Egypt and the hearts of the entire city and all of Canaan were “melting with fear.”  

What battle is God preparing you to fight today?  What has evil stolen that He is ready to reclaim?  I am thankful that we are not involved in a physical battle right now.  But I am realizing that I have made comfort and complacency my idols.  

God never promised us comfortable lives.  Faith does not grow out of comfort, and my heart is trembling as I write those words.  I want to desire God more than “success” “happiness” and “security.” Those are all my fake idols.  They are temporary and fleeting, and yet I work so hard to hold on to them.  

God has called us to love Him first and then to love each other.  He has commissioned us to tell the good news.  He says to put on the breastplate of righteousness, take up the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, the belt of truth, and the shoes of peace.  

Our enemy is prowling like a lion.  He wants to steal, kill and destroy. He has stolen relationships around us. He has filled hearts with discontentment, greed, selfishness, lust, pride.  

Sisters – it is time to fight back on our knees. Speak the truth in your conversations with coworkers, friends, children, EVERYONE boldly.  God goes before you.  He is preparing the way, He is working on their hearts.  Be strong and courageous!  Speak the truth with confidence and joy.

The same God who brought down the walls of Jericho wants to take down the spiritual walls in our homes and our cities. Pray them down. Speak them down. Love them down. Worship Him until He brings them down. Blow the trumpets. The battle belongs to the Lord. Stand up – or kneel down and fight it today.

Father, mark our house with the blood of Jesus. Write your name on my heart and the hearts of my husband and children. I declare war on depression and discontentment. I claim your victory over our relationships. Father, draw us close to you so that we can look at your face and know that we have nothing to fear. Use us to further your kingdom, to bring you glory. I am overwhelmed and humbled that you would want someone like me in your presence and in your army. Father, I am your vessel. Fill me and pour me out. In Jesus name, Amen.