In holiness, unity and full and complete obedience we will overcome every adversary.

On the way home, I heard God say, "You know Jericho was the first battle the Israelites fought in the promised land." I said, "Yes, Lord. Does that mean we have crossed over into our promised land?" He said, "Yes but being in the promised land does not mean you have time to rest and relax. You must be ready for battle because there are many giants to overcome and subdue."  

I came home to read the story and here are some of the things the Holy Spirit highlighted to me.  

Under the leadership of Joshua, the Israelites crossed the Jordan on dry land. Just as God parted the red sea, opening up the wilderness to them when they were fleeing from the Egyptians, God also parted the Jordan river for the nation to cross over into the promised land. It was a different process this time but it was also a very different obstacle and very different circumstances.  We must realize that God will always make a way for us, even where there is no obvious way.  

The first thing God commanded Joshua to do in the land of promise was to circumcise a new generation of Israelites. (Jos. 5:2). 

Verse 13-15 are very interesting. Jesus Himself appears to Joshua as he is standing near Jericho (the first stronghold that has to come down) and He tells Joshua that He is neither for the Israelites nor their adversaries. He commands Joshua to take off his sandals because he is standing on holy ground.  

Jesus came as the prince of the armies of the Lord with His sword drawn in order to ensure that God's will and God's purposes were carried out. He is still all about God's purposes today. Yes, the Father loves us with an everlasting love, but that does not mean that we can get away with laziness, disobedience and simply choosing not to fulfil His purposes.    

In chapter 6 Jesus gives Joshua instructions on how to take the city of Jericho which we know Joshua obeys. The Israelites overcome and the walls of Jericho fall.  

In Chapter 7 though, we have a very different scenario. We learn that God's blessing is tied to obedience. In their very next battle the Israelites are harshly defeated by the very small city of Ai because Achan had taken some of the devoted things out of Jericho.  

God wants a people who will obey Him and treat Him as the treasure, placing nothing above our love and devotion to Him. I believe this is a season of purification. What each of us does or does not do affects all of us. Duet. 30:6 says, "And the Lord your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, to love the Lord your God with all your [mind and] heart and with all your being, that you may live." It is a season of God's people allowing God to circumcise our hearts. Israel had to remove those who coveted and took the devoted things.  We will have to do the same. Let's ask God to search our hearts.  What is in our lives that must go? Let's be rid of it swiftly. What is He asking us to do that we haven't done? It is time to focus on what He wants (at all costs).

I believe we have come in to the promised land and Jericho has fallen. Let us pray that all of our people hear the voice of God in this season. Let us be quick to dispose of the trash. We need unity and holiness and complete obedience to God in order to win the battles ahead; the battles for our corporate destiny.  

Purify our camp oh God!