I want to take a small detour before we move on to Joshua 11 and talk about distractions for a moment, and I want to do so very transparently, if you will let me.
Last week was a rough week for me. In fact, since I began this study on Joshua personal struggles, attacks, and battles have seemed to come out of nowhere for my husband and myself. isn't that the way the devil works? We may be on the verge of breakthrough, but the Enemy comes along and throws spikes over the road to stop progress. I found myself at one point this week feeling a little like I literally had no one fighting for me. I became so angry at those around me that just ignored what happened. I was hurt by those that didn't come to my defense. I was extremely hurt by the one that threw the attack at me. BUT....then I took a step back and surveyed the situation. I had to remind myself of Ephesians 6.
Ephesians 6:11-12 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (12) For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
I had let my guard down and not paid attention to the armor that I was supposed to be wearing so that I could withstand these attacks. Then I had to remind myself I do not fight the people in front of me. My enemy is in the spiritual realm and must be fought there. After it was all said and done, I was also reminded of the kings in the cave in Joshua 10. Joshua did not let his men get distracted with an enemy that was disarmed and of no threat at that time. You know, the enemy plans sneak attacks and ambushes for us. He lays traps and hopes we step in them. So, how do we prepare for those ambushes and sneak attacks? We do what Joshua did and keep our eyes facing forward at what is important.
1 Corinthians 7:35 And this I say for your own profit, not that I may put a leash on you, but for what is proper, and that you may serve the Lord without distraction.
Serving the Lord without distraction is much easier said than done, right? But yet, that is what Paul said to do. When we look at the story of Mary and Martha when Jesus came to visit, we see Martha is admonished by Jesus for being busy.
Luke 10:40-42 But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me." (41) And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. (42) But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her."
I must say, I would probably be a little like Martha at first. I would want to make everything perfect. I mean, the King of Kings is in my home and deserves the best of what I have to offer, but sometimes that best is resting at His feet in His presence allowing ourselves to be free of distractions focused solely on Him.
Colossians 3:1-2 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. (2) Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.
"Set your mind" means to exercise your mind. The KJV states it this way - "set your affection on." This means to interest oneself with concern or obedience, to regard, or to think. See, Mary had Jesus right in front of her and seated herself at His feet in His presence while she focused on Him. Now, Jesus is seated at the right hand of God. We should be setting our mind on where Christ is and seeking those things which are not earthly. Setting our mind on where Christ is and just resting in His presence is the best way to not be distracted. The enemy has no new weapons. In fact, he only has the power over us we allow him to have. He has no power if we do not succumb to distractions and if we are watching carefully for ambushes and traps.
So, this week I had to take a step back and regroup, if you will. Have you ever had a time in your life like that? A time where you really felt as though you had been abandoned by the very ones that should have defended and protected you? Or maybe you took it a step further and felt as if God had abandoned you. Every day we have to put on our armor: The helmet of salvation, the breastplate of righteousness, the belt of truth, the shoes of peace and we have to pick up the shield of faith and the sword of the spirit. Putting on our armor and understanding that our enemy roams the earth looking for whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8) allows us to withstand the attacks of the enemy and we definitely won't be surprised when they come. We have to keep our minds on what is above, on the Christ who is sitting at the right hand of the Father. And, we have to remember the battle is His and He has already given us the victory...
Last week was a rough week for me. In fact, since I began this study on Joshua personal struggles, attacks, and battles have seemed to come out of nowhere for my husband and myself. isn't that the way the devil works? We may be on the verge of breakthrough, but the Enemy comes along and throws spikes over the road to stop progress. I found myself at one point this week feeling a little like I literally had no one fighting for me. I became so angry at those around me that just ignored what happened. I was hurt by those that didn't come to my defense. I was extremely hurt by the one that threw the attack at me. BUT....then I took a step back and surveyed the situation. I had to remind myself of Ephesians 6.
Ephesians 6:11-12 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (12) For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
I had let my guard down and not paid attention to the armor that I was supposed to be wearing so that I could withstand these attacks. Then I had to remind myself I do not fight the people in front of me. My enemy is in the spiritual realm and must be fought there. After it was all said and done, I was also reminded of the kings in the cave in Joshua 10. Joshua did not let his men get distracted with an enemy that was disarmed and of no threat at that time. You know, the enemy plans sneak attacks and ambushes for us. He lays traps and hopes we step in them. So, how do we prepare for those ambushes and sneak attacks? We do what Joshua did and keep our eyes facing forward at what is important.
1 Corinthians 7:35 And this I say for your own profit, not that I may put a leash on you, but for what is proper, and that you may serve the Lord without distraction.
Serving the Lord without distraction is much easier said than done, right? But yet, that is what Paul said to do. When we look at the story of Mary and Martha when Jesus came to visit, we see Martha is admonished by Jesus for being busy.
Luke 10:40-42 But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me." (41) And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. (42) But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her."
I must say, I would probably be a little like Martha at first. I would want to make everything perfect. I mean, the King of Kings is in my home and deserves the best of what I have to offer, but sometimes that best is resting at His feet in His presence allowing ourselves to be free of distractions focused solely on Him.
Colossians 3:1-2 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. (2) Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.
"Set your mind" means to exercise your mind. The KJV states it this way - "set your affection on." This means to interest oneself with concern or obedience, to regard, or to think. See, Mary had Jesus right in front of her and seated herself at His feet in His presence while she focused on Him. Now, Jesus is seated at the right hand of God. We should be setting our mind on where Christ is and seeking those things which are not earthly. Setting our mind on where Christ is and just resting in His presence is the best way to not be distracted. The enemy has no new weapons. In fact, he only has the power over us we allow him to have. He has no power if we do not succumb to distractions and if we are watching carefully for ambushes and traps.
So, this week I had to take a step back and regroup, if you will. Have you ever had a time in your life like that? A time where you really felt as though you had been abandoned by the very ones that should have defended and protected you? Or maybe you took it a step further and felt as if God had abandoned you. Every day we have to put on our armor: The helmet of salvation, the breastplate of righteousness, the belt of truth, the shoes of peace and we have to pick up the shield of faith and the sword of the spirit. Putting on our armor and understanding that our enemy roams the earth looking for whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8) allows us to withstand the attacks of the enemy and we definitely won't be surprised when they come. We have to keep our minds on what is above, on the Christ who is sitting at the right hand of the Father. And, we have to remember the battle is His and He has already given us the victory...
James 4:7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
