We looked yesterday at the promise God gave through Joshua as he was passing off the scene, reminding the people of Israel that if they remained obedient and faithful, God would continue to fight for them. This actually was a principle he had received from Moses, before he had passed off the scene. Looking back to the time when the wilderness wanderings were over, and there were enemies they had to defeat even before they got to the Jordan River, God said through Moses:
18 “And I commanded you at that time, saying, ‘The Lord your God has given you this land to possess. All your men of valor shall cross over armed before your brothers, the people of Israel. 19 Only your wives, your little ones, and your livestock (I know that you have much livestock) shall remain in the cities that I have given you, 20 until the Lord gives rest to your brothers, as to you, and they also occupy the land that the Lord your God gives them beyond the Jordan. Then each of you may return to his possession which I have given you.’ 21 And I commanded Joshua at that time, ‘Your eyes have seen all that the Lord your God has done to these two kings. So will the Lord do to all the kingdoms into which you are crossing. 22 You shall not fear them, for it is the Lord your God who fights for you.’
To have victory over our enemies, our faith and our faithfulness must overcome our fear. First, we must not be selfish about our victories. Here, Moses addressed those who were staying on the East side of the Jordan river. They already had secured their towns, their homes. But they were not to stay behind; they were to go with their brothers, standing with them and fighting for them. This meant they needed to trust God with their families and their possessions - to believe that God would protect them and provide for them while they were away. This faithfulness to their brothers was connected to their faith; they needed to really trust God at His word, and not fear the unknown, the unseen. Moses had told Joshua: Your eyes have seen all that the Lord your God has done to these two kings. So will the Lord do to all the kingdoms into which you are crossing. What he and the people of Israel had seen was their foundation for faith and freedom from fear for what they yet had to see. Therefore: 22 You shall not fear them, for it is the Lord your God who fights for you.’
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