Ephesians 6:10-13 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
The Book of Joshua offers more than a military history; it reveals the spiritual dynamics behind every victory and defeat in the life of a believer.
Israel’s stunning defeat at Ai reminds us how one hidden sin can cause spiritual collapse. God refused to bless their next battle because Achan’s disobedience defiled the camp. Ephesians 6 calls us to stand, clothed in the whole armor of God, but no armor will hold if we walk in impurity. Victory requires integrity. Faith cannot thrive in the shadows of secret sin. The moment we tolerate what God has forbidden, we forfeit divine protection and invite defeat—even when our strategies seem sound.
But God’s mercy always opens the door to restoration. Once Israel repented and removed the accursed thing, God told Joshua to rise and go forward. That same grace is ours today. When we confess and forsake sin, the blood of Yeshua (Jesus) cleanses us, and the Spirit reequips us. God doesn’t just forgive — He renews. Our past failures don’t disqualify us; they can deepen our dependence and sharpen our obedience. The voice that once said “Do not go up” now says, “See, I have given it into your hand.”
Yet not all battles come with swords drawn. The enemy often comes in disguise. The Gibeonites fooled Israel with moldy bread and clever words—because Joshua and the elders “asked not counsel at the mouth of the Lord.” Likewise, many compromises in our lives begin with something that seems harmless. The devil is a master of suggestion, of false reasoning that blurs conviction with compassion. That’s why spiritual discernment is armor as much as the sword. Our best defense against deception is to stay in step with the Spirit and seek God’s voice before making any decision.
Later, when Joshua brought out the five kings from the cave and commanded his men to place their feet on their necks, it became a prophetic picture of our victory in Him. Paul tells us to stand — not strive, because the Lord has already conquered. The enemy we face is a defeated one, and we overcome not by might, but by positioning ourselves in the triumph of Yeshua. If we are in Him, we are more than conquerors. We don’t need to beg for victory — we need to believe, stand, and walk in it.
Even the unrelenting waves of resistance that Israel faced were orchestrated by God. Joshua 11:20 reveals that it was the Lord who hardened their enemies’ hearts — so they would rise up and be defeated. In this, we see God’s mysterious plans: every battle we face is tailor-made to train us. What feels like opposition is often a divine opportunity. The giants that stand before us today are the platforms of tomorrow’s testimony. God wastes no enemy and permits no trial without a purpose.
So stand, not in your own strength, but in the strength of the One who goes before you. The battles you face are not signs of abandonment — they are invitations to deeper trust, fuller surrender, and greater victory. Let every defeat drive you to Him. Let every compromise be burned away by truth. Let the light of God’s counsel expose every disguised enemy. And when the enemy rises again — as he will — remember: the ground beneath your feet is not one of fear or striving, but of conquest already won. The Captain of the Lord’s Host still stands with sword drawn, not to assist your agenda, but to lead you into His. Put on the whole armor of God. Take your place. And having done all to stand.
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[worthy_plugins_devotion_single_body]As we approach the end of the age we are overwhelmed with the amount of evidence of the reliability and accuracy of the Bible. In the last century, archaeological discoveries have significantly reinforced the Bible’s credibility. A pivotal moment was in 1947 with the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls, an event whose significance was underscored with the timing of the reestablishment of the nation of Israel.
Yeshua (Jesus) gave us some signs and indications of what society would look like just before His return. One sign was the sign of Lot.
People read this verse, and think God is telling them to be passive — to overlook what happened. That is not a bad thing — but it isn’t exactly what Yeshua (Jesus) was saying. Turning the other cheek is not about being passive. It’s about being active! So active that it actually confounds your enemy! Turning the other cheek is about taking an action so revolutionary, so shocking, so out of the ordinary that it shocks everyone around. It confounds the world — and can also change it!
For over 25 years we’ve been covering Christian Persecution, and whenever I come across an amazing story of how a saint endured such hardships, it encourages me. I remember reading about Watchman Nee and his imprisonment. The Chinese government would change the guards at his cell daily for fear that Nee would lead them to the Lord. Their fears were justified — many of those guards did come to faith! Apparently Watchman Nee had learned a powerful lesson from the Apostle Paul.
A careful reading through the life of the Apostle Paul will yield insight concerning those who surrounded him. In this brief devotion, I want to focus on two of Paul’s friends — Luke and Demas.
Whew! What must the disciples have felt back then as they saw the waves crashing against their boat? They we’re being swayed from side to side in the deep dark sea. They were afraid for their lives! But our Lord was there all along. He just wanted them to trust.
As a pastor who has traveled extensively and also met and ministered to believers from all walks, backgrounds, and denominations, I feel I have a unique perspective on what is happening in the world and among the Body of Christ.
As I look at the big picture, I have noticed that since the recent war broke out in Israel in October of 2023, several ministries that have played a key role in Israel’s spiritual revival have come under intense attack.