Stay the course

If you have been in the Memphis and Mid-South area this past week, I will receive a collective agreement when saying, "It has been a very frustrating and difficult week!" The week began in the early hours of Thursday Morning, February 3rd. The area had the beginnings of what is now called the "Ice Storm of '22." At the height of the storm, some 77.6% of residents and businesses were without power. On Sunday, February 6, the general question was, "Do you have power?" To which we learned, several were still without power. As the days without power have turned into a week and now double-digit days, we still have families without power, and the question is, "when will things be restored?" During this time, the church has stepped up; homes with power were open to hosting others, the church was available for warming, device charging, and in the coming days, limb removal will be offered for those that still need cleanup. The church and the church community have stayed the course. You have cared for the church community, the neighborhood community, and other families, co-workers, and friends. In short, you have been a witness. The church has taken a page from the playbook of Joshua regarding staying the course.

Last Sunday, in reading Joshua 10:1-28, we learned that Joshua had just been given a decisive victory over five kings of the land. They conspired together to stand against Joshua, but their attempts ultimately failed because it was impossible to win a battle against the Lord of Hosts. As the kings hid away in a cave, Joshua told his men to roll a stone at the entrance and continue to pursue their enemies with confidence that the Lord would do as He promised and give their enemies into their hands (v. 19). The destruction of the kings (of the promised land) shows the justice of God. It serves as a warning to all who reject God and worship idols. Thankfully, just as God chose Israel, He chose us at the cross. Christ bore the just punishment we deserved for our sin and extended the mercy of God to people who deserved His justice.

God has put a longing for justice in every person that can only be fulfilled in Jesus Christ. He is the true and better commander of God's army, and His victory will be decisive and complete, just like the victory God gave to Joshua. But, unlike Joshua, King Jesus won't only be given victory over five regional kings, but over every earthly king and kingdom so that every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is the faithful and reigning Lord (Phil. 2:10).

Friends, complete victory is the message that arises from the text of Joshua 10, at least in the southern campaign—the north was still ahead. When we march on God's side, we also can expect spiritual victory. We serve a vast God—and he is not just big when the hailstones fall, and the sun stands still (Joshua 10:13). He is big every day we need him. As the southern portion of the promised land was conquered, Joshua would continue to be pressed to stay the course in the remaining verses of chapter 10 and the entirety of chapter 11. The northern region of the promised land began to build their coalition to stop Joshua's progress, but once again, the plan of the Lord was victorious. 

When word of Joshua's victory in the south reached the north, Jabin king of Hazor began immediately to put together a northern coalition to attack this enemy. A conservative estimate of this army is around three hundred thousand soldiers, one hundred thousand cavalries, and twenty thousand chariots, by far the most significant and best-armed force that Israel had ever faced. Moreover, Hazor, the leading kingdom in this alliance, was the most substantial and best-fortified city in Canaan. It would be a big test for Joshua, and staying the course, calling upon the Lord, and not being afraid (11:6) was vital once again.

No matter the setback, circumstance, celebration, or difficulty of life, we are to stay the course. As we promote Christ and His Kingdom, we are to be a beacon of light in a dark world. When God gives you a task, a ministry, or a calling, pursue it with perseverance. Don't be afraid to make commitments to church relationships, live for Christ, and follow through on those commitments wherever they take you. Make sure your spiritual victories are complete even to conquering the "kings" of sin in your life.