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Scripture for the day: 2 Corinthians 2:14, 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place …. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.
Thought for the day: I’ve got good news and I’ve got bad news. The good news is that the Lord God of the universe has promised us victory, so it’s as good as done. The bad news is --- well, never mind, I don’t have any bad news. If He’s promised we would win, the battle is already done and victory is ours. Let me re-phrase that – He has promised us victory and the battle’s already been fought; we win. Where there is disappointment, there comes encouragement. Where there are enemies, there will come captives or, better yet, allies. 
 Look again at the stories we read in the book of Joshua. How many times did the Lord speak of the battles they would fight in the past tense? He didn’t tell Joshua to lead the people into the land that had been promised so many years before. He told the people to go up and possess the land “I have given you.” Past tense, as good as done. All they had to do was listen to God’s direction and do what needed to be done His way. 
 When I think of the battle of Jericho, I’m reminded of the importance of following His lead whether His plan makes any sense or not. From a human point of view, the battle plan that included no weapons was ridiculous. The victory that was theirs when the walls fell in on themselves should have given them all the confidence they needed to do everything God’s way from then on. Instead, the children of Israel decided they could go their own way and take Ai without God’s intervention. When I think of the battle of Jericho, I’m also reminded that the promises of God can be applied to each of us individually. He has provided us each our “Promised Land” and has invited us to go up and take it. Are there battles to be fought? Of course, but they’re as good as won. Will there be disappointments? Certainly, but He’s already provided comfort and hope in the midst of them. Are there enemies to be confronted? You bet, but the Lord speaks of them in the past tense; they are already defeated. All that is left is for us to trust Him and do things His way.
 And how do we make sure we’re following His plan as we should? 2 Corinthians 3:18 tells us: “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” There’s so much more to say about this, and I will, I promise. 
 Tomorrow I’m going out of town for the day and must leave very early in the morning. On Thursday, we’ll talk more about the victory we’ve already been promised. In the meantime, stand fast in the Lord, relying on His guidance, and take heart, especially if you feel as if you’ve blown it. Moses didn’t always get it right. Neither did Joshua, Elijah, Elisha, David, Daniel, the disciples of Jesus, Paul, the heroes of the faith down through the ages, or the one writing these devotions every day. 
Now go take on your world.  -  Bill