The Victory Side of Life #13
The Legacy of Victory by Gerald Van Horn
The final words of a Godly man on his quest for a life of victory are recorded in our texts. Please notice that there is no ego trip for Joshua. It is rather the gentle admonition of a loving and caring leader. Who also had the responsibility of all of Israel.
The results of the conquest of Canaan “And I have given you a land for which ye did not labor, and ye dwell in them; of vineyards and olive yards which ye planted not do ye eat.” 24:13.
There is much talk about leaving a legacy all the way from the presidents to prominent business people. The greatest legacy anyone can leave their family is a spiritual legacy. Joshua’s admonition is a powerful one.
1. It is a powerful legacy because it invokes the fear of the Lord. v. 14.
Three key words are in verse 14:
* Fear - Psalms 111:10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”
Psalms 85:9 “Surely his salvation is nigh those who fear him.”
Psalms 25:14 “The secret of the Lord is with those who fear him.”
*Serve -Psalms 100:2 “Serve the Lord with gladness.”
John 12:26 “If man serve me, let him follow me.”
Galatians 5:13 “by love serve one another.”
Romans 7:6 “But now we are delivered from the law, that being
dead in which we were held, that we should serve in newness of
the spirit.”
Colossians 3:24 “for ye serve the Lord Christ.”
* Put off false gods. We are to stop putting things ahead of the Lord. Our God is a jealous God. Joshua admonishes them to “incline your heart unto the Lord.” v.23.
2. It is a powerful legacy because it has a great history.
God was with Israel all the way from Egypt, in the wilderness and
fighting their battles for them. There is a note of victory in these words of admonition. They were delivered from bondage. Signs and wonders
were preformed for them. v.17. God drove out their enemy from
before them. v.18.
When Jesus died on the cross He said, “It is finished.” Jesus paid the price that the victory over sin, death and hell might be ours. His desire is that we no longer live in bondage.
Romans 8:15 “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again for fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption whereby we cry Abba, Father.”
Galatians 5:1 “Stand fast therefore in the liberty with which Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”
Fear in Romans 8:15 is called a spirit. This refers to an evil spirit. So we conclude that fear is prompted by and evil spirit. We have not been given the spirit of fear but of power and love and of a sound mind. 2Timothy 1:7.
3. It is a powerful legacy because it provokes to holiness and righteousness.
In some circles holiness is a bad word. It scares some people. However,
a careful study will reveal that holiness is really a beautiful word. It reals
the character of God. Our God is a holy God. Holiness is one of the God- like attributes that can be transferred to His children. The Hebrew word is qodesh pronounced “ kodesh.” It means separation or consecration. As a direct result of such separation from unholy things and dedication to God you become righteous. Further more it is a work in progress.
Joshua challenged Israel to become all that God intended for them to be.
It was matter of the heart. v.23. They all agreed that they would. Lip service is so easy. It takes more then mere lip service. Later the Lord said,” you say with you lips I will serve the Lord but your heart is far from me.” “For with the heart man believes unto righteousness.”
We conclude our study in Joshua with I Corinthians 15:57 “Thanks be to God
He gives the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Contents:
The Victory side of life by Gerald Van Horn
#1 Facing Our Obstacles. Joshua 1:2-9
#2 Life On a High Plain. Joshua 1:10-18
#3 The Cost of Victory. Joshua 2:1-2:24
#4 Claiming the Blessing. Joshua 3:1-17
#5 The Memorial of Victory. Joshua 4:19-24, 5:9
#6 The Consecration for Victory. Joshua 5:1-10
# 7 Enter the Captain of the Hosts. Joshua 5:13-15
#8 The Shout of Victory. Joshua 6:20
#9 Setbacks in Canaan. Joshua 7:13
#10 Recovery from Setbacks. Joshua 8:30
#11 Overcoming Hugh Obstacles. Joshua 10:12-14
#12 Claiming the Promise. Joshua 14:6-14:15
#13 The Legacy of Victory. Joshua 24:13 + contents
