“No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you.” ~ Joshua 1:5
REFERENCE:
Some of the most selfish people on earth are hurting people who feel disadvantaged. Their pain, need, and hurt consume them; they think God and men owe them, so they subtly develop a sense of entitlement. But that is not the purpose of pain; if all you go through is just about you, then you are too small, and there isn’t much to you. Victory is in knowing this.
We will conclude Joshua’s recipe for victory today and will see the purpose of pain.
- It’s Bigger Than You: While Joshua mourned his loss, God told him that he would divide the land as an inheritance to Israel. Israel would have no land if he surrendered to defeat or his pain. You must strive for victory because your victory means victory for those connected to you (mentees, children, spouse, students, church, etc.). It is not just about you; leave a legacy for your children. Refuse to give them excuses; give them an inheritance. To have any share in life for your children or descendants, you must strive for unusual victories in life’s battles with tangible proofs of victory in your faith, career, marriage, and finances.
- Stay in God’s Word: The final and most crucial victory recipe that worked for Joshua was the Word of God. God told him, “This book of the law must not depart from your mouth.” His regard for and obedience to the word would yield victory. The word is your roadmap, treasure map, battle strategy, weapon of war, tonic, and faith booster. Stay in the word of God; there are pictures for your future there. You can only have victories where God has promised victories. By the word of God, you will make your way prosperous.
God’s victory covenant with Joshua was in force for his lifetime: “All the days of your life.” God has no plan for failure for you. There is no day in God’s calendar fixed for you to be defeated, oppressed, or dominated by circumstances. God offers you perpetual victory. You may say, “I am not in a good place right now, I feel like a failure, and I wonder what to do next.” That is not your bus stop. Israel was once in Egypt and in the wilderness, but their destination was Canaan.
“Victory is sweetest when you’ve known defeat.” – Malcolm Forbes. “Fear is not my future…”
PHOTO QUOTE
ADDITIONAL TEXTS:
Genesis 50:20-21, Deuteronomy 8:1-3, and Luke 22:31-32
CONFESSION:
My victory in life is assured. I step out to possess every portion that God has given me. Every area of defeat in my life is converted to success. I enjoy Divine Presence and rise up in courage from failure to uncommon victories. I subdue the giants of pain, lack, fear, sickness, and loss. I am getting stronger and stronger! I obtain victory in every raging battle in my life and family. Shouts of victory shall be heard in my house/family. I declare boldly, “Thanks be to God who gives me victory in all things and at all times in Christ!”