God disturbs the lives of the enemy as He prepares us to be more than conquerors. It is not in God’s plan that we should lose, but gain and possess His victories in our hearts, and in our lives. He gives strategies which when followed the outcome are triumphal. Therefore, we can celebrate Jesus, because he is good unto his people. Let us let Jehovah prepare us now for the victory set forth in our lives both personally and collectively as the Church. We are to become a “New Breed of Warriors” in the kingdom of God. Yet, we must note “the strategic plan of our God” that we might have faith in Him today.
“Fear was struck into the enemy”
What the enemy heard and knew that God did for you and concerning you effects them. In fact, the nations knew Israel because of her God not because Israel was a great army. In the community of this church there are lives - crossings only you can affect. Around you there are people only you can touch and minister too. Others came to the Jordan, but only Israel could cross on dry land. Note our text in verse one. God made the promise in yesterdays He would strike fear in their enemies (Exodus 23:27). The people of Jericho tormented themselves for this is what fear does to people (Joshua 2:9-11; 6:1). Because of God’s record, because of his exploits the enemy is struck with fear. So then, the people of God must take time to name what is an enemy to you. Is it your debt, your flesh, fear of giving, fear of witnessing? God struck fear in the enemy, but he builds us up in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 4:11-12). Jesus said, “In my name U.”
“God prepares His army”
Circumcision is God’s way of preparing us to fight and gain victory. This is that which bring us into covenant relationship (circumcision) with God. He cuts away the old, the old life and old way of thinking, and the old fleshly desires (9). Within the text God’s desire is to remove the reproach (shame-ness, ugliness, disdainment, disgrace). It was inevitable that this happen, the men of old were men of unbelief, doubt, men of fear and of no faith in the abilities and promises of God after witnessing His mighty acts (6). Jericho was effected by God’s act forty years earlier (Joshua 2:10). Israel’s thoughts of old were let us return to Egypt (sin). God is here to turn us away from old thoughts. Peter said, “I go a fishing” but while he was there Jesus came for his own. Jesus said to Peter, “Loveth thou these more than me.” God has come for his own now to prepare us for victory. It’s time for you to stop losing and going without. It is inevitable that saints must fight the good fight of faith.
Pain and difficulty are apart of God’s process to get us prepared. There is no circumcising without pain and discomfort. Yet, God will not allow us into combat until after we are whole (8). You can not fight the battles of God with reproach in your life. Wholeness and holiness must take place first. This is why there is that need for the church to remain together that we can encourage one another as we see the day approaching. The days of a coming battle . . . God will ensure that we have the strength to go on, for He is the strength of our lives. He will also ensure our protection in a vulnerable state. Hurts and pains of the pass put us in this type of condition. It leaves us with a distrustful spirit, but we can trust God’s protection. Note the prayer of our Lord for us (John 17:11-12). So then, this is the beginning of the new breed of Warriors.
