Lessons of Faith from Joshua - Sabbath School Lesson 4 - Friday Further Thought
The Cosmic Conflict and the Battles of Life
Scripture Reading: Ephesians 6:12 – “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
Devotional Thought
When reading the book of Joshua, it can be difficult to understand why God commanded Israel to go to war. Yet, when viewed through the lens of the cosmic conflict—the great controversy between Christ and Satan—the picture becomes clearer. The conquest of Canaan was not simply a human war for land; it was a visible manifestation of an invisible spiritual battle.
From the rebellion of Lucifer in heaven (Revelation 12:7–9) to the temptation of Adam and Eve in Eden, Scripture reveals that all human history unfolds within a larger struggle between good and evil, truth and deception, love and selfishness. The Canaanite nations were not destroyed arbitrarily. They had reached such depths of corruption and cruelty that their continued existence threatened to erase the knowledge of the true God from the earth. God’s command to Israel, therefore, was part of His plan to preserve truth, righteousness, and the promise of redemption through His people.
The great controversy still rages today, though the battlefields have changed. Now the war is fought not with swords and spears, but with ideas, values, and loyalties. Every choice we make—every word we speak, every act of love or selfishness—aligns us either with the Kingdom of Light or the powers of darkness. As Paul reminds us, “The weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds” (2 Corinthians 10:4).
Our role in this ongoing conflict is to live as faithful witnesses of God’s character and grace. We are called to put on the “whole armor of God” (Ephesians 6:13), to resist temptation, to love our enemies, and to proclaim the gospel of peace. Through faith, obedience, and prayer, we join Christ’s army—not to destroy lives, but to save them.
Even in a world torn by division and violence, we can rest in the assurance that the war will not last forever. At the cross, Jesus already won the decisive victory (Colossians 2:15). Our task now is to stand firm in that victory until the day when He returns to make all things new.
Prayer
Lord of Hosts, thank You for revealing the greater battle behind the conflicts of this world. Help me to see life through the lens of the great controversy and to stand firm on the side of truth and love. Clothe me daily in Your armor, that I may fight not with anger or fear, but with faith, courage, and compassion. May my life bear witness to Your victory over sin and darkness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
More: The Conflict Behind All Conflicts - Sabbath School Lesson 4 - The Lessons of Faith from Joshua
Sabbath School Quarterly Online: The Lessons of Faith from Joshua
No comments:
Post a Comment