A BATTLE YOU CAN'T WIN

When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us, or for our adversaries?” And he said, “No; but I am the commander of the army of the Lord. Now I have come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to him, “What does my lord say to his servant?” And the commander of the Lord’s army said to Joshua, “Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so. (‭Joshua‬ ‭5‬:‭13-15‬ ESV)

One of the most fascinating places in Israel is the area of Jericho (perhaps the oldest civilization on earth).  This is the first city that the Children of Israel would have encountered after passing over the Jordan River.

This city lies between the Jordan River and the Judean Mountains.  It was insurmountable by all human terms and it was the fortress by which they must take down before proceeding further into the land.

It was a battle that they could not win.

Have you ever been in a place where you just couldn't seem to get ahead? You know... those times when it seems that you take one step forward and 2 steps back.

Maybe you have made one of these statements:
...I just can't win!
...I am fighting a losing battle!
...It is a lost cause!

I have some good news and some bad news concerning the spiritual battle that you may be fighting today: The bad news - "You" can't win the battle! The good news- Jesus has already won the war! If you are born again, you have access to a warrior who HAS NOT and CANNOT be defeated!

1 Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.You can have victory... but it will ONLY come through JESUS CHRIST!

In this life we will face great challenges and there are times when it seems that victory is not possible. And sometimes the reason for that is that we are trying to fight the battle alone. Maybe you have been fighting so hard for so long that you just can't go on any more. In order for you to move toward victory you must fix your eyes upon Jesus!

That is what happened in the life of Joshua, Here in Joshua chapter 5, Israel was about to go to battle in the city of Jericho. Before the battle begins Joshua goes to inspect the area. It was at that moment that Joshua had a divine encounter. There on the battlefield he encountered the true leader of Israel. Joshua came face to face with a pre-incarnate Jesus Christ. This was a humbling experience for Joshua. But it was an encounter that prepared him for victory!

Perhaps you are looking at your situation right now and can only see the odds against you and the fact that you will never win.  But take a step back and notice who is also standing with you.  Look at that fact that Christ is standing with you and He has already won the battle.  The odds are now in your favor.

It is true that I can't win in my own human strength but I can win with Christ by my side.

Whether you realize it or not you are in a similar position to Joshua.
- You have been called by God

- You have been chosen by God 
- You have been commissioned by God

If you are saved you have been enlisted into God's army. There are battles that must be fought! These battles may be long These battles may be intense but like Joshua you have a promise from your Lord - Hebrews 13:5 ...He has said, I will never leave you, nor forsake you.

Without Christ you will never defeat Satan. Satan is much more powerful than you! When you go into battle it must be with the same mindset that young David had when he fought Goliath. 

Remember what he said when he confronted the enemy? - 1 Samuel 17:45 Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. 46 This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.

If you want to find victory in your life you must realize that "YOU CAN'T...BUT HE CAN!!"

    - Some of you are fighting battles with your health and ... YOU CAN'T WIN!!
    - Some of you are fighting battles in your marriage and ... YOU CAN'T WIN!!
    - Some of you are fighting battles concerning your finances and ... YOU CAN'T WIN!!
    - Some of you are fighting battles concerning your job and ... YOU CAN'T WIN!!
    - Some of you are fighting battles within your family and... YOU CAN'T WIN!!
    - Some of you are fighting battles in your spiritual life and... YOU CAN'T WIN!!

You have been fighting for so long and you have made zero progress. You are depressed, discouraged and defeated. You don't feel that you can go any farther.You don't feel like you can fight another day! You must do what Joshua did... take off your shoe (spiritually speaking) surrender to the Lord and say I CAN'T BUT YOU CAN!!!