Joshua | Week 2 | Pastor Ben Pierce

Possessing Your Promise

Life is full of transition moments when we move from one season to another, stepping into new opportunities, challenges, and promises. Whether graduating, starting a career, entering marriage, or overcoming personal struggles, these transitions shape our journey. In the timeless story of Joshua and the conquest of the Promised Land, we find profound lessons on possessing God’s promises for us. This message, delivered by Pastor Ben Pierce of Generation Church FL, offers a robust roadmap for embracing God’s promises through faith, obedience, and unity.

Understanding the Journey: From Preparation to Possession

Before the Israelites could claim the land God promised them, they had to undergo preparation. Pastor Ben reminds us that God always prepares us before placing us in a new season or fulfilling a promise. This preparation is often internal work God does in our hearts and minds before external change happens.

Crossing the Jordan River symbolized this transition. The Israelites stood in the land but did not yet own it. They were at the edge of their promise, ready to move forward but facing obstacles that needed to be overcome.

This journey mirrors our own spiritual walk. We often stand at the precipice of what God has promised, but we must learn how to possess those promises fully. The story of Joshua provides a battle plan for moving forward, not just physically but spiritually and practically.

The Significance of God’s Promises

Did you know the Bible has roughly 7,500 promises God has made to humanity? These promises cover every aspect of life, from eternal life and unconditional love to guidance and provision. Yet, as Pastor Ben points out, it’s sometimes easier to trust a human to keep a promise than to believe God will come through on His.

For instance, you might trust a friend to grab you a coffee without hesitation, but doubt creeps in regarding God’s promises of healing, freedom, and forgiveness. This message encourages us to strengthen our faith, reminding us that God’s promises are not just words on paper; they are available realities for us to walk in.

Common Promises to Hold On To

• Eternal Life: John 3:16 assures us that whoever calls on Jesus will have eternal life, no matter how far we’ve wandered.
• Unconditional Love: Romans 8:38 tells us nothing can separate us from God’s love, which is not based on our actions but on His nature.
• Guidance: Proverbs 3:5-6 promises that if we trust God, He will direct our paths, so we don’t have to rely solely on our understanding.
• Provision: Philippians 4:19 declares that God will supply all our needs according to His riches.

These promises are gifts from God, meant to be lived out in our daily lives. But possessing these promises requires action, faith, and overcoming barriers.

Overcoming Spiritual Obstacles: Lessons from Joshua’s Battles

After crossing the Jordan River, the Israelites faced their first major battle at Jericho. Pastor Ben shares a profound insight: the 31 kings and cities Joshua conquered in the Promised Land represent spiritual obstacles that stand between us and the promises God has for us.

Names carried deep meaning back then, often describing a person’s character or a city’s spiritual significance. Understanding these names helps us identify the spiritual opposition we face today.

1. The Battle of Jericho: Obedience Over Intelligence

The city of Jericho was known as a fortified stronghold, an imposing barrier of Fear, unbelief, and spiritual strongholds. God’s instructions to Joshua were unconventional: to march around the city silently for six days and seven times on the seventh day, then shout loudly to bring down the walls.

This strategy might have seemed foolish to the Israelites and laughable to their enemies. But obedience is the first key to keeping God’s promises even when they don’t make sense.

Key takeaway: We must obey God even when it doesn’t make sense. Obedience often looks foolish before it looks victorious.

Pastor Ben reminds us of biblical examples like Naaman dipping in the Jordan River seven times for healing, a seemingly illogical act that required faith-filled obedience. Similarly, the Israelites’ silent march was a test of faith, not logic.

Action step: Trust God’s strategy, even when it appears strange. Walls will fall when you walk with God.

2. The Defeat at Ai: Purging What Poisons Your Promise

After Jericho, the Israelites faced the city of Ai. Unlike Jericho, this battle was lost initially because of hidden sin in the camp. Achan had taken devoted things that were supposed to be destroyed, burying them under his tent. This sin poisoned the promise and led to defeat.

This story highlights how hidden sin and unconfessed issues can hinder our progress toward God’s promises.

Key takeaway: You have to purge what’s poisoning your promise. Hidden sin hinders visible progress.

Pastor Ben encourages personal and communal examination, confessing sins regularly (1 John 1:9) to avoid the spiritual pitfalls that can derail us. He also calls parents to be vigilant over what their children bring into their homes spiritually, emphasizing the importance of cultivating faith and holiness in the family.

Action step: Confess and clean the house personally and communally. Don’t let hidden sin block your spiritual inheritance.

3. Don’t Repeat Defeat: Learning from Past Failures

After purging their sins, the Israelites successfully returned to conquer Ai. Pastor Ben’s third lesson is powerful: past defeat doesn’t mean permanent defeat.

We can be tempted to believe that if we have failed before, whether in addiction, relationships, or other struggles, we are doomed to repeat the same patterns. But God’s grace offers new beginnings.

Key takeaway: Don’t repeat defeat. Your past failure doesn’t cancel your future favor.

Romans 8:1 reminds us there is no condemnation for those in Christ. So, don’t hold your past mistakes against yourself. Instead, move forward with faith and confidence, knowing God’s power can bring victory.

4. The Gibeonite Deception: Discern Before You Decide

Next, the Israelites faced the Gibeonites, who deceived them into making a treaty by pretending to come from a distant land. The Israelites accepted their offer without consulting God, resulting in a problematic alliance with people who were supposed to be destroyed.

This teaches us the importance of discernment. Not every opportunity or seemingly good option is from God. The enemy uses deception to derail us, and only by seeking God’s guidance can we avoid being misled.

Key takeaway: When you’re taking land and moving into new territory, you’ve got to discern before you decide.

Pastor Ben warns that good options can sometimes be the enemy of God’s best. Deception is the number one sign of the last days, so we must guard our hearts and minds carefully.

Action step: Develop a rhythm and culture of inquiring about the Lord before making decisions. Ask, “God, am I still on track?”

5. Fighting with Faith, Not Fear

When multiple kings allied against Israel, Joshua prayed boldly, asking God not only for victory but for more hours in the day to finish the battle. God answered by making the sun stand still, allowing Israel to overcome their enemies.

This story encourages us to fight with faith rather than Fear. Sometimes, we need to make big, audacious requests of God, trusting His power to intervene.

Key takeaway: Fight with faith, not Fear. Trust God for miraculous breakthroughs.

The coalition of kings represented obstacles like false peace, pride, spiritual laziness, and gluttony, barriers we face today in our spiritual walk. The enemy often has more unity than the body of Christ, which Pastor Ben highlights as a serious concern.

6. Persevering in the Power of Unity

Joshua’s success wasn’t just about individual tribes conquering land; it was about a unified effort. The tribes had to come together as one people to possess the land.

Psalm 133 describes unity as a refreshing anointing that brings God’s blessing. While God commands blessings where there is unity, He never commands unity itself; we must choose it.

Key takeaway: Persevere in the power of unity. You cannot possess God’s promises alone.

Whether starting a business, raising children, overcoming addiction, or building a church, unity within the body of Christ is essential. The devil seeks to isolate us, cause offense, and weaken our connection to the community of faith.

Action step: Choose to be part of a church community, serve, pray for one another, and build unity. When we stand together, God commands a blessing.

Final Reflections: Will You Get Your Promise?

God’s promises have already been given. The Bible says all His promises are “yes and amen.” The missing piece is our willingness to step out obediently, faithfully, and unitedly to claim those promises.

Will you obey God, even when it looks foolish? Will you purge the sin that blocks your progress? Will you refuse to repeat past defeats? Will you discern carefully before deciding? Will you fight with faith, not fear? Will you persevere together with others in unity?

The story of Joshua is not just ancient history; it is a spiritual template for our lives. Every obstacle Joshua faced mirrors the internal battles we must fight to inherit God’s promises.

Victory comes through obedience, repentance, reliance on God, vigilance against worldly distractions, and unity in the body of Christ.

Invitation: Step into God’s Promise Today

If you have not yet taken the step of faith to receive Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, this is your moment. The promise of eternal life is available, but spiritual blindness can keep us from seeing it.

You don’t need to see to believe; you need to think to see. When you invite Jesus into your life, the blinders disappear, and God’s promises become real.

Here is a prayer to help you begin your journey:

Father God, I want to know you personally. Would you come into my life and make your home in my heart? Forgive me of all my sins and every mistake I have made. Help me to live a holy and set-apart life. Create in me a clean heart. Thank you, Jesus, for dying on the cross so I could live for eternity. I surrender my life to you and call you my Lord. I will follow you all the days of my life. Amen.

If you prayed this prayer, know that you have made the most critical decision of your eternity. Welcome to the family of God. Your journey to possessing your promise has begun.

Conclusion

Keeping your promise is a journey that requires faith, obedience, repentance, discernment, courage, and unity. As we walk through the spiritual battles of the cities and kings Joshua conquered, we learn how to overcome Fear, hidden sin, deception, and discouragement.

God’s promises are sure and steadfast. The question is not if God will give them but if you will get them. Step out in faith, trust God’s strategies, purify your heart, seek His guidance, fight Fear with faith, and unite with others to claim the abundant life God has promised.

Remember, you don’t have to do this alone. Together, as the body of Christ, we can possess our promises and change the world.