“Who leadeth us in triumph” (II. Cor. ii. 14).
Every victor must first be a self-conqueror. But the method of Joshua’s
victory was the uplifted arm of Moses on the Mount. As he held up his
hands Joshua prevailed, as he lowered them Amalek prevailed. It was to be
a battle of faith and not of human strength, and the banner that was to
wave over the discomfited foe, “Jehovah-nissi.” This, too, is the secret
of our spiritual triumph. “If we are led of the Spirit we shall not fulfil
the lusts of the flesh.” “Sin shall not have dominion over you, for ye are
not under the law but under grace.”
Have we thus begun the battle and in the strength of Christ planted our
feet on our own necks, and thus victorious over the enemy in the citadel
of the heart been set at liberty for the battle of the Lord and the
service of others? It was the lack of this that hindered the life of Saul
and it has wrecked many a promising career. One enemy in the heart is
stronger than ten thousand in the field. May the Lord lead us all into
Joshua’s first triumph, and show us the secret of self-crucifixion through
the greater Joshua, who alone can lead us on to holiness and victory!