Joshua 5:13-6:27

The word got out about Israel’s miraculous crossing of the Jordan River. This was at the most difficult time of the year. The snow had melted from the mountains and the banks were overflowing. Don’t think God can only move when conditions are perfect.

We get more and more discouraged as things deteriorate, but God chooses those times to display His infinite power and glory. He’s not waiting for things to get better; He’s waiting for them to get the worst. Then the glory cannot be diminished but rather showcased.

Israel’s part was to renew their covenant, which required circumcision or the cutting away of the unclean. God’s new covenant circumcises our heart and cuts away sin’s unclean desires. We have a heart that wants what’s clean and good.

All those born in the wilderness were not circumcised. Like many of us whose parents didn’t obey or know the Lord, they had to experience covenant for themselves. Before we can enter into all that God has for us we must deal with the uncleanness in our lives.

Water baptism is where by faith our hearts are circumcised and the old affections and desires are cut off and buried.

In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.
Colossians 2:11-12

Some are being defeated by the enemy, because they’ve not obeyed God in his call to sanctify and prepare themselves by being baptized, spending time in the Word, and a become members of God’s army? Like Joshua, we need to get divine strategy in how we are to win our daily battles.

Joshua rose early and got in the presence of God. They marched 7 days, seven times. The number seven represents devotion every day, walking it out through the day, while resting in faith and speaking the Word.