“For there is peace and a good hope given to the sons of men.”
“When the choir of angels disappeared and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another,
“Let’s go! Let’s hurray and find this Word who is born in Bethlehem and see for ourselves what the LORD has revealed to us.” Luke 2:14-15 TPT
“You are wearied in the length of your way; yet you did not say, ‘There is no hope.’ You have found the life of your hand; therefore you were not grieved.” Isaiah 57:10 NKJV
“I created the fruit of the lips, “Peace, peace to him who is far off and to him who is near.” says the Lord, “And I will heal him.” Isaiah 57:19 NKJV
Poem by denisebalogc2021
Photographs captured by denisebalogc2015 – Prestonwood Christmas Program, Dallas, TX
Strong and Courageous –
31 Days of Victory Through Joshua’s Battles
Day Thirty – Gilgal – Circle
“…the king of the people of Gilgal, one.” Joshua 12:23 NKJV
Gilgal – means circle. Stemming from the Hebrew root word, galgal, whichmeans a wheel, or a cartwheel used in the process of threshing or crushing grain, and a tool used to draw water from a well.
Lord, You are a God of seasons and times. In Your perfect order, the road turns back around to circle the story of where the people began.
As Joshua completed his appointed circle of time, he reminded the people as they came to the end of their journey with him, to “hold fast to the LORD your God, as you have done to this day.” Joshua 23:8 NKJV
Joshua was circling back around to remind them of the faithfulness of God. “And you know in all your hearts…not one thing has failed of all the good things which the LORD your God spoke concerning you.Joshua 23:14 NKJV
In the place of their ending, the victory for the future would rely on their circling back around to remember the faithfulness and the Promises of God.
“All have come to pass for you;not one word of them has failed.” Joshua 23:14 NKJV
I don’t know what season you are personally walking through, but as Joshua encouraged the people to remember, may we too be encouraged to circle back around and remember God faithful and He keeps His promises.
“God, your God, chose you out of all the people on Earth for Himself as a cherished, personal treasure…He did it out of sheer love, keeping the promises He made to your ancestors.”Deuteronomy 7:6-8 MSG
Strong and Courageous – 31 Days of Victory Through Joshua’s Battles
Day Twenty-five – Taanach – Castle- Fortress
“…the king of Taanach, one.” Joshua 12:21 NKJV
Taanach – castle
Why is castle mentioned twice in Joshua’s story? Lord, is there a reason why You are bringing me back here again?
Is thesecond mention of castlea struggle with something generational? Maybe a fear or doubt Joshua went back to in his mind.
In all of Joshua successes, knowing there were still enemies to encounter, is it possible Joshua wrestle with a dark castle surrounding his headof hidden fears and doubts. Joshua’s father’s generation let fear and doubt in the LORD’s faithfulness keep them from reaching and entering the Promise Land. Was Joshua worried he would not have the faith to complete his journey?
For victory over the king of Taanach, Joshua’s would need to go back to where his journey began.
“Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.” Joshua 1:6 NKJV
The Promise remained the same. “…which I swore to their fathers.”
“Now Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him; so the children of Israel heeded him and did as the LORD had commanded Moses.” Deuteronomy 34:9 NKJV
Castles of fear and doubts cast out, Joshua the son of Nun, continued his journey with a victory shout!
“…being confident of the very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6 NKJV
May you be blessed by the Father’s mercy and grace to continue your own personal journey. In Jesus’s Name. Amen
Strong and Courageous – 31 Days of Victory Through Joshua’s Battles
Day Eighteen – Hepher – Pit
“…the king of Hepher, one.” Joshua 12:17 NKJV
Joshua would have heard Moses say, “Be strong and of good courage”three times before he was appointed the new leader of the people.
“Then He inaugurated Joshua, the son of Nun, and said, “Be strong and of good courage; for you shall bring the children of Israel into the land of which I swore to them, and I will be with you.”Deuteronomy 31:23 NKJV
The same words were spoken four times by the LORD, before Joshua began his assignment of going into the land and conquering Jericho.
Seven times Joshua heard these words of encouragement. Seven in Scripture speaks of completion. Did the seven-time reinforcement of the words provide Joshua with insight to his good success in defeating the king of Hepher – the pit?
The “strong” in Joshua’s “Be strong”, is the Hebrew word chazaq which means – to fasten upon, seize, to bind, to conquer, and strengthen oneself.
Perhaps on hearing these words seven times “Be strong!” from both His teacher Moses and the LORD, Joshua understood his destiny was complete. By “fastening” himself to God’s plans and binding this truth to his heart, Joshua was then enabled to “Be strong” and defeat the king of Hepher, the enemy of falling into the Pit.
Lord, I too can face the enemy of the Pit in my daily battles. Help me fasten myself to Your Word andgood promises to my heart, for my destiny is complete in You. I can either fall into the pit of unbelief or take the “pit” and plant the seed of Your Faithfulness growing to be strong and prosperous!
Thank You Father for Your Presence ever near.
Encouraging me in my weakness,
Casting out all fear.
Strengthening me as you teach me by Your hand.
For by the Power of Your Word
I am more than able to conquer the land..
“Then they came to the Valley of Eshcol, and there cut down a branch with one cluster of grapes; they carried it between two of them on a pole. The also brough some of the pomegranates and figs.” Numbers 13:23 NKJV
“Now the children of Israel moved on…”Numbers 21:10
Legend has it when God brought Moses to the top of Mt. Nebo, located in the Southern desert, he was able to see all the wayto the white cap top of Mount Herman in the north.
I wondered as Joshua traveled through the desert, when he looked to the north, did he catch a glimmer of the white snow on top of Mount Herman encouraging him to continue his journey forward?
Last night stepping into my closet, the laundry basket overflowed again with the day’s laundry, I questioned myself how does one family use all these clothes? As I sorted between the darks and lights, I was thinking on the word “whiteness” for today. Asking the Lord, “whiteness”, what does that mean to me? Why did Joshua need to have victory overwhiteness?”
I heard the soft voice say, “Why not whiteness, you spend your whole day sorting through darkness and the light.”
Like Joshua, I too have to decide daily, do I believe in, trust in, and look to the Truth, the purity, the whiteness of God’s Word and promises, or are my eyes clouded by what I see in my daily world preventing me from moving forward, walking by sight and not faith.
Lord, thank You for Your understanding of the battle word of whiteness. May I forever remember Jesus is the True Lightwho guides my way. May I never forget the price He paid, for “He was clothed with the robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.” Rev. 19:13 NKJV
Your Word empowers me to be victorious over the king of Libnah by remembering I am “…clothed in fine linen, white and clean…” because He paid for it with His Love. Revelations 19:14 NKJV
“When the LORD your God brings you into the landwhich you go to possess…because He loves you.”Deuteronomy 7:1-7 NKJV
Mount Herman is located on Israel’s farthest northern border. Jesus and his disciples would have walked from Caesarea Philippi here for what many believe is the location of the Mount of Transfiguration. I love how Scriptures gives us this little detail of the walking distance, “Now after six days Jesus…led them up on a high mountain…His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.” Matthew 17:1–2 NKJV
Mount Herman fascinates and stirs my heart. While sailing the Jesus Boat on the Sea of Galilee, a sparkle of sunlight caught my eye causing me to look up. There in the distance, I could see what appeared to be snow. Peering through the haze over the water, my eyes could make out what looked like a snow top mountain. Yes, it was Mount Herman, and each time we have returned its majestic whiteness never disappoints this pilgrim’s eye and heart. I can’t help thinking, Joshua and King David might have felt the same way too.
Thank you, fellow sojourners.. May you find safety and good health as we travel together following Jesus who loved us from the beginning.
My garden is full of delights! It fills the senses with beauty, color and wonder. It helps me to understand beautiful truths about God, the Creator of heaven and earth.
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