Victory to Victory

The third chapter of Joshua tells of how Israel crossed over the Jordan on dry land. In the sixth chapter of Joshua, Israel conquers Jerhico. From one miraculous victory to another.

Imagine living that sort of life!

I believe what Israel did in chapters 4 and 5 are examples of what we can do after achieving breakthrough or victories in our own lives. In the fourth chapter of Joshua, immediately after the victory, Israel gave tribute to what God had done by building a memorial using rocks from the Jordan River. But sometimes it isn't enough to just give God our praise and thanks, sometimes we need to give him more. We need to give Him our everything.

In the fifth chapter of Joshua, they rededicated themselves to God. Now as a grown male I can imagine how quickly the celebrating ended after Joshua told of God's plans.

At that time the LORD said to Joshua, “Make flint knives for yourself, and circumcise the sons of Israel again the second time.”

Joshua 5:2

Thankfully Dr. Thede did that for me when I was a couple of days old, so I can only dreadfully imagine the pain those men endured . However, what God will ask of us is that we circumcise our hearts. As you may know, when Jesus focuses His attention upon a part of our lives that has not been surrendered to Him, it can be very painful. No matter what it may be in our lives, if we continue to hang onto something Jesus has asked us to surrender, we are being proud and stubborn.

God wants little to do with the proud. If we don't turn to His ways, He will give us over to our own selfish ways. It is up to us to yield our hearts to Him. By saying Yes to Him and no to our own ways we are actually allowing Him to circumcise our hearts. Our walk is continually like our Salvation. At His leading, we have to acknowledge that He is God and we are not. His way is the only way and our ways lead us away from Him.
So after a any Victory or a any breakthrough, no matter how great or seemingly insignificant, we need to acknowledge Him who is the giver of all good things. Then, we need to open up our hearts to His correction, His love and allow Him to circumcise our hearts and just like in Joshua 5:8, we must allow time for healing.

Instead of using flint knives to go from victory to victory

(thankfully)

we can simply begin by praying:

How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart?
Cleanse me from these hidden faults.
Keep your servant from deliberate sins!
Don’t let them control me.
Then I will be free of guilt and innocent of great sin.

May the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Psalm 19:12-14

Remember it is God who does the work!

We merely have to be willing to yield to His correction, His way.

The LORD your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live.

Deuteronomy 30:6