No Turning Back

Israel had suffered at the hands of the Egyptians. They had known deliverance through the blood of the lamb. Due to unbelief they had wandered for forty years in the wilderness.

They came to the brink sitting on the East bank of the Jordan, with the river of impossibility to face, the Lord brought them through the mighty Jordan.

They had observed the rite of circumcision and the Passover Lamb had once again been commemorated.

There had been much preparation much planing now the moment of truth had arrived now there is no turning back.

They stood facing Jericho, they had no where to run, and no where to hide this was it. The first taste of conflict in the Promised Land for this people.

What excitement

What apprehension

What anticipation

What doubts

I am sure there were many mixed emotions but this was it, the time had arrived it was make or break.

As we have just entered a new millennium with all of its challenges we face continuing spiritual warfare. It is sad that many have turned back, they have decided that it really is not worth it.

As I read Joshua chapter six, I believe we can see many reasons for wanting to turn back, and yet much encouragement for going forward.

Someone has said, "you are a poor soldier of Christ if you think you can overcome without fighting and suppose you can have the crown without the conflict".

The word of God lets us know beyond a shadow of a doubt that the Christian life is one of conflict but praise God, conflict and victory.

2 Tim. 2:3-4 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. [4] No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

But we are promised victory.

Col. 2:14-15 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; [15] And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Romans 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

I am told that there was a time when the king of France had two castles. Mantleberry was a place remote from danger, La Rochelle on the coast was liable for continual sieges.

A young man was once asked which commander does the king of France value the most?

"The king values him the most who has the hardest task and braves the greatest dangers"

The battles we face are a measure to how much the Lord values us.

May the Lord encourage us as we face spiritual warfare daily, may we not turn back but turn up and do exploits for our God.

Luke 9:62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

Let us take our place among the ranks of Joshuaís men and imagine some reasons why we might turn back and flee from the battle.

1.The mighty fortress.

Joshua 6:1 Now Jericho was straitly shut up because of the children of Israel: none went out, and none came in.

It is estimated this city covered about eight acres, archaeologists discovered two walls which surrounded the city. It is believed that this was probably the strong hold in the land of Canaan. Take this city and what encouragement Godís people would receive, what fear it would put in the hearts of Godís enemies.

Joshua’s strategy was to attack the centre of Canaan, thus divide and conquer, two cities lay in the centre, Jericho and Ai. Jericho came first.

Joshua 6:1 Now Jericho was straitly shut up because of the children of Israel: none went out, and none came in.

The city was in a state of red alert because of the children of Israel it was shut up none went out and none came in.

This great city with its mighty walls would appear a very daunting prospect remember forty years previously these mighty fortresses had cause Godís people to flee through unbelief.

Numbers 13:28 Nevertheless the people be strong that dwell in the land, and the cities are walled, and very great: and moreover we saw the children of Anak there.

Deut. 1:28 Whither shall we go up? our brethren have discouraged our heart, saying, The people is greater and taller than we; the cities are great and walled up to heaven; and moreover we have seen the sons of the Anakims there.