Prevailing against enemies

Pam Padgett ... teacher

In Joshua 10 we have an account of how the children of Israel defeated inhabitants of the land God had given to them, completely destroying them, as God had commanded.  Israel prevailed against their enemies, one after another.  This was possible because God fought for Israel ....

Joshua 10:40 So Joshua smote all the country of the hills, and of the south, and of the vale, and of the springs, and all their kings: he left none remaining, but utterly destroyed all that breathed, as the LORD God of Israel commanded. 41 And Joshua smote them from Kadeshbarnea even unto Gaza, and all the country of Goshen, even unto Gibeon.  42 And all these kings and their land did Joshua take at one time, because the LORD God of Israel fought for Israel.

It is the same for us.  We can prevail against our enemies ... enemies that try to cause us to go in ways that are not ways of God .... because God helps us. 

We are not fighting in physical combat, as Joshua was, but we must constantly deal with thoughts from the devil, seeking and clinging to truth from God.  We must deal with evil that is so rampant in the world, trying to keep ourselves in peace, unspotted by the world and not going along with the evil in any way.  And we must also deal with our own flesh as Paul did ... I Corinthians 9:26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

Jesus dealt with the same things we deal with on this earth, being tempted just as we are.  Yet He overcame, being without sin, and always pleasing the Father.  

John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

God helps us and provides everything we need as we walk on this earth and deal in each battle …

All of our sins have been paid for, so we are free to serve God. 
Romans 6:17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. 18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

We have been given the Holy Spirit to help us. 

John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.  27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

We have been given the Bible. 

2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Jesus sits at the right hand of God interceding for us. 

Romans 8:34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

Hebrews 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

As I considered these things, I recalled that Paul said … If God be for us, who can be against us? 

Romans 8: 28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. 31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?