Day 24

“For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For he has put everything under his feet. Now when it says that “everything” has been under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself who put everything under him.” — 1 Corinthians 15:25-27

Sometimes the enemy believes more confidently in Christ’s victory than the people of God do. Here’s an example: When Joshua had succeeded Moses as leader of Israel, he sent two spies to look over Jericho. The spies made friends with a prostitute named Rahab. In

exchange for the promise to spare her life and her family, she hid them in her house on the city wall and told them, “I know that the LORD has given you the land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fearbecause of you. (Joshua 2:9) In verse 11 she says, “Our hearts melted and everyone’s courage failed because of you for the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.”

Rahab is a representative of Jericho, an enemy of God’s people. Jericho’s days were numbered, and the people knew it. By their own reckoning, they did not stand a chance. The victory already belonged to the Israelites. Meanwhile, the Israelites had been wandering the desert, scared of any advance into enemy territory. Even the spies sent out to investigate the strength of Jericho were cowering. It was only after Rahab had told them of Jericho’s confidence that God would give the land to Israel that the spies assured her, “Our lives for your lives! If you don’t tell them what we are doing we will treat you kindly and faithfully when the Lord gives us the land.” (Joshua 2:14)

Notice an important difference between the words of the spies and the words of Rahab. Rahab had said, “The Lord has given you the land.” To her, the defeat was already past tense, already determined and waiting execution. But the spies had responded that they would spare her life “when the Lord gives us the land”. To them, the victory was still future tense.

Every day that Jericho waited for the news that Israel was on its way to defeat them the Israelites were living in fear of the enemy they would have to encounter. Doesn’t that seem typical of us, God’s people... even now? Sometimes it is the enemy who believes most strongly in the victory of Jesus Christ. Even Satan knows his days on earth are numbered. Do we have confidence in the victory of Christ or are doubts and fears taking their toll?

Prayer: Lord, When I’m in the middle of a crisis, I sometimes can’t see beyond that to see you. forgive me whenever I doubt your sufficiency in any situation. Keep me always mindful of your strength that lives in me. thank you, Lord.

To reflect upon: How can I eradicate my view of God’s promises from “yet to be determined” to one of confidence that makes His victory real for me in the present?