Let us anticipate victory and declare it outwardly to others, for it has been promised to us!
When you are about to go into battle, the more allies you have on your side, the better. Stronger allies make your chances of victory even more likely. Joshua knew that. The Lord had selected him to lead Israel into the Promised Land. It was time to move. But Joshua needed more forces—he needed to have an alliance with others.
Then Joshua issued instructions to the leaders of Israel to tell the people to get ready to cross the Jordan River. “in three days we will go across and conquer and live in the land which God has given us!” Then he summoned the leaders of the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh and reminded them of their agreement with Moses . . . To this they fully agreed and pledged themselves to obey Joshua as their commander-in-chief.
Joshua 1:10–16
The Lord wanted this victory as well. He had promised it to the people. Joshua knew that—so he declared victory before the battle took place.
Let us learn from Joshua. Let us declare victory before the battle has even begun! The declaration is not from a position of arrogance on our part, but from trusting what the Lord has already promised us! When we declare victory based on God and not on our own skill or luck, we have created an alliance with God—no one mightier, no one stronger!
Diana and I have a friend who just recently changed jobs. She was doing just fine in the job she was in, but she had been prompted by the Lord to move in a different direction—in a way that she could better serve others. She shared with us that she had sought advice and counsel from many before making her decision. But when she finally made her decision to leave the job she was in, she made it known to many that she was standing on the promise of the Lord. She told us her friends are waiting to see what glory will come to the Lord from her future endeavors. That is a great example of building an alliance with the Lord.
The Lord has much at stake in our success. We can make a stronger alliance with Him by making His stake in our success even bigger. How do we do that? By putting His name on our efforts ahead of time. Whether it is a prayer group, a job change, or anything else, let us proclaim that we are standing on His promises!
So today, we give glory to You, God, for already delivering us from our troubles before the battle has even begun. We rejoice in You for Your promises. Let us be public in our praise before we have been delivered so the glory goes to You, where it belongs. It is not our skill, not our effort, not our good luck that has delivered us from our enemies and given us victory, but it is You, oh Lord, You.
Have a great day.
