Ready For A Fight

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"Every place on which the sole of your foot treads, I have given it to you, just as I spoke to Moses. - Joshua 1:3 (NASB)

   If you look forward from this point in Joshua you will find that Josh and the Israelites are constantly driving out their enemies. At every turn they are taking up their swords and routing another enemy. In some cases, the enemy routes them. Eventually they manage to conquer the Promised Land, but not completely, for they let some of their enemies stay because the fight was too difficult.    
   This brings me back to the verse above. The LORD told Josh that He was going to "give" the land to him. Give. When I think about someone giving something to me, I envision me reaching out my hand and simply taking hold of what is being given. The LORD said He was giving the land to Josh, he simply had to reach out and take what God was giving. It belonged to His people, but His people would have to fight to claim it.
   As Christians there are a number of possessions that the LORD gives to us. Peace, joy, direction, love, and contentment, are just a few examples of those things the LORD gives to His people. However, much like Josh, receiving those things is not always easy. The enemy of our souls, Satan, wants to keep you and I from receiving what God has promised. We too must sometimes take up spiritual swords and wage war until the enemy is vanquished. 
   Are you ready for a fight? What promise has the LORD given to you that you have not taken hold of yet? What enemy stands in your way to receiving that promise? Friend, today is the day to draw a line in the sand. Pick up your spiritual sword, pray, and fight for the "land" God has given you. 

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