Another home run from Bob Gass devotional, The Word for You Today.”
One of my favorite Bible characters is Joshua. He was called on by God to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. Moses had turned the mantle of leadership over to Joshua, so it was Joshua’s responsibility to take his people across the Jordan riverto the “land of milk and honey” that God had promised them. But… that didn’t mean that there wasn’t going to be opposition. The Israelites had to fight for their inheritance.
When Israel entered the Promised Land, there were 5 kings with armies determined to stop them. But God helped Joshua defeat all of them and the 5 kings ran and hid in a cave. So Joshua told his soldiers to bring them out and put their foot on each of their necks. That day God’s Word to His people was: “Be strong and of good courage. Do not be dismayed.”
That word “dismayed” implies being “torn down by fear” and “falling apart.” There are enemies of your mind who want to tear you down by robbing you of your peace, your joy and your confidence. Your enemies (and you need to realize that YOU might be your own worst enemy!) will keep pouring on the pressure in hopes that you will cave in. That’s why God told Joshua to be bring each king out of the cave and deal with him decisively by standing on his neck and then hanging him on a tree. These 5 kings represent your 5 senses. God doesn’t want you to live according to their dictates.
The enemy of our mind works through our 5 senses… but, get this, God has given us a “6th sense”: faith. The Bible says to “walk by faith, not by sight.” Faith says: “In spite of what I see, in spite of what I hear, in spite of what I smell, taste and feel, I believe everything’s going to be alright. Why? Because God is with me!”
Our senses, which are highly susceptible to all that’s going on around you, are faith-killers. And, unless you “put them under your foot,” they will steal your dream, your confidence and everything else that God has promised you.
Our emotions are “problem-driven”, but faith is “purpose-driven.” If you allow your emotions to rule your life you will be up one minute and down the next. Life in Christ is not meant to be a roller coaster ride. God’s plan for us (I LOVE this!) is to get down on our knees to pray, then get up in faith and go do what He’s told us to do.
As you walk each day, take the time to recognize when one of those “5 kings” is trying to create negativity. When it happens, do not passively accept these negative thoughts. Your passivity gives them the right to rule over you. They have no power over you except the power you give them. So… go into whatever that cave is in your life and drag each “king” out. Place your foot on their neck and put them to death. God will be with you IF you acknowledge Him in your life.
