POWER
“You are a numerous people and have great power.” Joshua 17:17
The children of Joseph were concerned with the fact that Yehovah God had multiplied their number, and then the land allotted to them was small. They were given the forested hill country, and they complained that the Canaanites on the plain were warriors, having “chariots of iron” (Josh 17:16). Sometimes you and I may feel overwhelmed by the circumstantial tribulations we encounter (the forested hill country), as well as the spiritual trials and temptations we face against principalities, powers, spiritual wickedness in high places, and the rulers of darkness in this age (the Canaanites with iron chariots; viz., Eph 6:12). We may feel this individually at times. We may also feel this collectively as a local church. Like the numerous people of Ephraim and Manasseh, our need is great. Nevertheless, we have a greater power than our temporal circumstances because we serve the Great Christ. Our strength in Christ (Eph 6:10) is mightier than the most formidable spiritual foe because Christ Jesus crushed the authority of Satan when the Lord’s heel was bruised on Calvary’s tree (Gen 3:15). Joshua, a type of Christ Jesus, reminds us that we are powerful in Christ. Like the sons of Joseph led into the Promised Land, you and I were led into all the gospel promises of Christ, and every blessing and inheritance therein. It may take much prayer by you and me, assisted also by the prayers of the brothers and sisters in our local church, but we will clear the forest on the hills so that only one tree stands upon a singular hill— Christ’s cross upon Mount Calvary. By those prayers, we will also drive out the spiritual forces, as strong as they may be, for in Christ we are much stronger than they. Yes, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Phil 4:13). Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Hallelujah! Yes, praise the Lord,
Christ, our Savior is strong;
And by pray’r, standing on His Word,
His pow’r, to us, belongs.
