For Thus the Lord Will Do
Come near, put your feet upon the necks of these kings. Do not be afraid or dismayed; be strong and of good courage: for thus the Lord will do to all your enemies against whom you fight. (Joshua 10:24-25)
Josh. 10:15-24; 24:14-15; Ezra 8:31; Ps. 18:48; Mt. 5:43-44; I Cor. 15:25-26; Eph. 6: 10-12
What Is God Saying?
The Book of Joshua records in detail the campaigns led by Joshua against the enemies of God's people. The Promised Land came not without a price. It called for dedication and resolve. It consisted of three campaigns-South against Jericho and A1, Central against five Amorite kings, and North, a campaign against the powerful King of Hazor, who ruled a metropolis numbering 40,000 people-many times the size of the Jerusalem of David's day.
In the midst of these campaigns, our text is found, "Come near and put your feet upon the necks of these kings"-the kings of Jerusalem, Hebron, and three other cities who fled into a cave to escape the superior forces of Joshua. They were trapped and held there until Joshua ordered them released, and then he called for the customary gesture of subjection, "Put your feet upon their necks."
How Does This Apply To Us?
We live in violent times. Cruelty and hatred abound. As Christians, we follow the Lord who teaches us how to deal with our enemies. "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matt. 5:43-44). This does not negate the fact that we do have enemies (Eph. 6:12). For the Christian, having enemies is to be assumed. "A person is known, not only by his friends, but also by his enemies." Jesus had his enemies. We all have enemies. Sometimes we are our own worst enemies. Take confidence, "Thus the Lord will do to all your enemies against whom you fight."
Pray With Me
Lord, you tell us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us, and you know I have real enemies. I hear your words, "Do not be afraid or dismayed; be strong and of good courage."
Make me aware of all enemies that attack my fellowship with you. Let me know that the wiles of the devil are meant to unsettle the calm that I enjoy when I walk with you. Let me see that everything-- every influence, every suggestion, every compromise, everything that harms our relationship, everything that hampers my perfect freedom in Christ, everything that hinders the working out of your good purposes in my life, everything that is not of your will, all of these are enemies. Determined enemies must be met with determined action. In the triumph of truth and right, in heaven-sent victory, in the joy of Jesus' authority and vindication for all who trust and follow him, I will put my feet on the necks of my enemies. This is what God will do for me and through me.
In the cause and for the sake of Him who by the fact of the Cross, bids us face every evil as a conquered enemy. Amen.
Moving On In The Life of Prayer
Prayer is the time to isolate and identify our enemies, to see clearly who or what they are, to love them and pray for those who persecute us, to rise above pointless fighting where nothing is gained and no one wins, to see things from the broad expanse of Heaven, in the forgiving love that God himself is and in the peace that he gives. Kneel to pray for your enemies. Rise to stand against what they stand for.
