Joshua 11:16-23 – Be steadfast and determined in the journey

No one can deny that we will have to confront many opposing forces in our spiritual journey. But we know that with God’s help we will be able to overcome each of them. This fact is illustrated by the long and arduous battles that Joshua and the people of God experienced in the conquest of the land. In Joshua 11:16-23, the author gives us a summary of the list of the lands that God had helped Israel to conquer. We read in verses 16-17 that “Joshua took all that land, the hill country and all the Negeb and all the land of Goshen and the lowland and the Arabah and the hill country of Israel and its lowland from Mount Halak, which rises toward Seir, as far as Baal-gad in the Valley of Lebanon below Mount Hermon. And he captured all their kings and struck them and put them to death.” And as Joshua was careful to make sure that all the lands were conquered one by one, we too must see to it that we have a hold of every arena of life.  

Every one of us who desires to be victorious must be careful not only in the big issues of life but also in the minute details of it. In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul exhorts believers to be circumspect. The word circumspect can be illustrated this way. It is like putting one’s life underneath a giant microscope and scrutinize every detail so that we can make alignment for those areas that are unaligned. We must remember that the first step to change is self-awareness. If we are not aware of where we need to change, we need to be circumspect. It is said that a big door swings on small hinges, meaning a big victory is the sum total of the small victories we have in life. That’s why we are told that we will progress from victory to victory, faith upon faith and glory to glory.

So apart from being obedient and devoted to the battle, we also need steadfastness and determination. Verse 18 tells us that Joshua made a long war with all the kings. In other words, he fought for a long time. Determination and steadfastness are two qualities needed if we are to endure and come out victorious in a long and sustained journey. Like Joshua, we need to develop the quality of steadfastness and determination. We cannot throw in the towel too easily. Come what may, we will yield area by area to the Lord till He has a complete reign over every area of our life. We diligently allow Christ to establish His Lordship over every area and put it under His dominion. Remember the words of 1 Corinthians 15:58, “Therefore, my beloved brothers (and sisters), be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” Amen!