June 2020 – Page 3 – denisebalog…Grace filled devotionals.

Day 6 – Joshua Journals

Strong and Courageous –
31 Days of Victory Through Joshua’s Battles

Day Six – Lachish – Impregnable

“…the king of Lachish, one:” Joshua 12:11 NKJV

How can I find victory over an impregnable enemy who appears strong and not easily taken by force?

The key to success over Lachish can befound in this enemy’s first name.

“…Japhia king of Lachish,” Joshua 10:3 NKJV

“Japhia” means “shine”.

Lachish wants to shine his strong imprisonment of distractions into my heart; causing me to battle with him all day.

“Can you please let the dog in the back door?” “Do we have anymore paper towels?” or my personal favorite, “Is it time to eat again?”

Like Joshua, when I meditate, ponder, and store up God’s Word in my heart, I’m empowered with the strongest shield of Light and impregnable defensed against any battlefield tactic or diversion the king of Lachish can cause in my day.

“This Book of Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night…for then you will make your way Prosperous, and then you will have good success.” Joshua 1:8 NKJV

“Your Word I have hidden in my heart.” Psalm 119:9 NKJV

“I will meditate on Your precepts and contemplate Your ways.”Psalm 119:15 NKJV

“The entrance of Your Words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple.” Psalm 119:130 NKJV

Oh, mighty warriors, traveling companions of mine, when we meditate on God’s Word we are empowered to conquer the Lachish of our minds!

God bless you and thank you for joining the study.

Denise

Day Five – Joshua Journals

Strong and Courageous –
31 Days of Victory Through Joshua’s Battles

Day Five – Jarmuth – Height

“…the king of Jarmuth, one:” Joshua 12:10 NKJV

The enemy or king of battle today is one of the original five enemies who gathered to war with Joshua and his people. This king also holds a unique position because he has a sur name. Fellow warriors take note, I think this king is deadly.

“…Puram king of Jarmuth,” Joshua 10:3 NKJV

Puram’s name means – lot, portion andJarmuth’s name means – height, elevation, haughty to breed worms.

Oh Lord, keep me from breeding worms from a lofty position.

Accompanying Joshua through his failures, and success, I believe Joshua learned the importance of staying humble before the LORD. Experience taught him without God’s leading there would be no victory in his day or future.

Lord, may my heart be on bended knee (height), humbly sharing my portion and (lot) as You lead with those who are in need even if it is from a distance. Remembering the Your Son Jesus who came and conquered death for me.

“Tell the daughter of Zion,

‘Behold, your King is coming to you,

Lowly, and sitting on a donkey,

A colt, the foal of a donkey.”

Matthew 21:5 NKJV

Zechariah 9:9

Thank you to those who have joined the journey.

Denise

Day 4 – Joshua Journals

Strong and Courageous –
31 Days of Victory Through Joshua’s Battles

Day Four – Hebron – Alliance

“…the king of Hebron, one.” Joshua 12:10 NKJV

Lord, I’m excited to hear what You will say today. Lead me in Your “perfect” work for my feet are prone to stray. Keep my pencil steady; an open ear to hear. For as Joshua fought his battles, Your protection and guidance were clear.

Joshua learned the five warring kings who fought against him were gathered together and hiding in a cave.

Joshua, calling his men together, “brought out those kings” from their hiding place. Instructing his men of war to “Come near, put your feet on the necks of these kings…and they drew near…” then Joshua said to them,

“…for thus the LORD will do to all your enemies against who you fight.” Joshua 10:23-25 NKJV

The LORD gave Joshua great victory over the enemies he faced. I wondered if Joshua’s success at Hebron was in his remembering what he heard in God’s words when he began the journey.

“Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses.” Joshua 1:3

I believe Joshua aligned himself with the Word of God at Hebron. Relying on the faithfulness of God’s Word to achieve victory over the enemies he faced and defeated!

Thank You Lord, Your truths and promise don’t change with time or season. May I have a Joshua mind set aligning myself to Your faithful Word, today and forevermore.

“Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today and forevermore.” Hebrews 13:8 NKJV

Thank you for joining me as I set my heart to share Joshua’s battles and victories. I’m humbled to know you are taking the time to read and learn with me. Together, may we find strength and encouragement in this day, and the days ahead. Aligning ourselves as Joshua, meditating and remembering, “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you.” Joshua 1:5 NKJV

Denise xoxo

Photos captured climbing a hillside in the Dead Sea area in Israel 2011 © denisebalog

Day 3 – Joshua Journals

Day Three – Jerusalem – Founded in Peace

“…the king of Jerusalem, one;”Joshua 12:10 NKJV

Founded in Peace – Shalom Peace, health, and wellness of mind is the very foundation of the word Jerusalem. Yr’uw shalaim.

Hearing of Joshua’s successes in Jericho and ultimately in Ai, Joshua is face to face with a deadly opponent – Adoni Zedak. King of Jerusalem or otherwise known as the enemy of my peace.

Stirring up four other neighboring enemies or kings, together they are preparing to make war with Joshua and his people. Devious in their plan, instead of attacking Joshua directly the band of enemies war against the Gibeonities, the people Joshua vowed to protect.

Their plan reminds me of when those I love or the areas close to my heart come under attack. I’ll attempted to move heaven and earth to restore their peace.

“Joshua therefore came upon them suddenly, having marched all night from Gilgal.” Joshua 10:9 NKJV

Joshua with two victories under his leadership, had learned the lesson to his victory. “Joshua spoke to the LORD…” Joshua 10:12 NKJV

When the enemy comes against my house and loved ones, may I resist taking the fight into my own hands, but speak to the LORD first!

For He is the very foundation of my peace, health, and wellness of mind.

“So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven and did not hasten to go down the for about a whole day.” Joshua 10:14 NKJV

“And the LORD delivered up the Amorites…and there has been no day like that, before it or after, that the LORD heeded the voice of man; for the LORD fought for Israel.”Joshua 10:12-14 NKJV

Ruin to Bloom!

Strong and Courageous –
31 Days of Victory Through Joshua’s Battles

Day Two – Ai – A Heap of Ruins

What enemy or battle do I need to be on the lookout for today Lord?

“…the king of Ai, which is beside Bethel, one.” Joshua 12:9 NKJV

The king of Ai – a heap of ruins.

“Now Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is beside Beth Aven (nothingness) on the east side of Bethel (the house of God).” Joshua 7:1-5

Ai is one of the two major enemies Joshua faces in his battle for the land. Two major enemies I battle daily are my own thoughts and emotions. Either one can turn any day into a loss before I even get my first cup of coffee.

So how do I find success over Ai located beside Beth Aven the place of nothingness?

Coming from the fragrant place of Jericho’s victory yesterday, Joshua listen to the men he sent ahead to Ai to spy out the land. Heeding to the advice of others and not seeking God’s direction first, Joshua was unprepared for the battle with Ai. Joshua’s men fled before the enemy in fear and defeat.

Seeking God’s direction first and not what my eyes see or what the world says, God’s Word reminds me I am positioned not at Ai, but the east side of Bethel in (the house of God).

Reassured of His faithfulness, strengthen by His good promises, my mind and emotions are prepared for the day. Equipped and empowered to triumph over the lies of Ai the enemy of nothingness and ruin!

“Blessed are those who dwell in Your house; they will be still be praising You…

Blessed is the man whose strength is in You.” Psalm 84:4-5 NKJV

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, For He who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23 NKJV

Release the Fragrance!

Strong and Courageous –
31 Days of Victory Through Joshua’s Battles

Day One – Jericho – A Fragrant Place

“…the king of Jericho, one;” Joshua 12:9 NKJV

The meaning of Jericho is a Fragrant Place

What can I learn from Joshua and the fragrance of Jericho?

“Now Jericho was securely shut up…” Joshua 6:1 NKJV

The day is set before me; completely new, unseen, and unknown.

“And the LORD said to Joshua: “See!” I have given Jericho into your hand…” Joshua 6:2 NKJV

I can choose to go my own way or like Joshua, I can believe the LORD has already given me the day.

“You shall march around the city, all you men of war; you shall go around the city one. This you shall do six days.” Joshua 6:3 NKJV

Why would Joshua be instructed to march around the city six times before his victory if the LORD had already promised the city was his?

I can’t help but believe the time spent circling the promises of God, allowing His truths to settle into our hearts is the victory and fragrance over the shut-up Jericho places in our lives.

“Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.” 2 Corinthians 2:14

May His sweet fragrance infuse you in strength and courage as you take new land set before you today. Always remembering our loving Father never leaves nor forsakes us in Jesus Mighty Name! Amen.