I love these two verses in Chapter 2. They close out the chapter and enforce what Joshua and Caleb said after they came back from spying on the land when Moses sent the twelve. If you will remember earlier in the chapter Rahab told the two spies how fearful everyone was because of all they had heard regarding what the Lord had done on behalf of the Children of Israel. We have a similar report that was given to us.
Colossians 2:15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.
With His death and resurrection, Jesus defeated death, hell and the grave. He disarmed the enemy, the principalities and powers the word says, and made a spectacle of them. The original word for spectacle means "to exhibit" or "show." I like to think there was a ticker tape parade through the streets so the people that crucified Him would know He was the One true messiah, the Mighty Conqueror. But, in all actuality there was probably no ticker tape and it is doubtful there really was a parade, but the words chosen to describe what happened would say that those that were defeated were at least put on display (exhibit) for all to see their defeat. Not only did Jesus put them on display, but He disarmed them. He took away the weapons they needed to fight.
So here we are two thousand years later continually fighting an enemy that has no weapons. And many of us are not living in victory! Why is that? Why are many of our brothers and sisters not living in victory and overcoming the storms of their lives? Could it be because they have not believed the report that has gone before them? Jesus could have quietly descended into hell, disarmed the principalities, taken the keys, and ascended to the right hand of God all without any fanfare. But that is not what He did. Not only did He defeat them, He put them on exhibit!
Revelation 1:18 I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.
If Jesus holds the keys to Hades (Hell) and the keys to Death, then what else could possibly have any power or victory over us? Nothing! Jesus holds all power over life and death. He also said apart from Him, we can do nothing (John 15:5).
The enemy is aware of their defeat. It doesn't prevent the fight. It just changes the outcome of the fight. The two men that Rahab hid and helped to escape the king of Jericho told Joshua in essence the Lord had already given them Jericho because the inhabitants did not have the heart to fight (fainthearted). In Exodus, God had already told Moses and the children of Israel what He was going to do when He told them about the Promised Land, the Land of Canaan.
Exodus 23:31 And I will set your bounds from the Red Sea to the sea, Philistia, and from the desert to the River. For I will deliver the inhabitants of the land into your hand, and you shall drive them out before you.
Yet, the two spies Joshua sent in came back and said, "You know what? It is true! The Lord has delivered the land to us!" Can you imagine the confidence booster that was? I am certain their attitudes changed somewhat, don't you think? Maybe now the task didn't look so formidable or scary. Maybe now, after the report they received...that had gone before them...they were a little more willing to obey the command of the Lord. Because even though the land had been delivered to them by the Lord and the inhabitants were fearful, the Children of Israel still had to fight. They still had to conquer the people. They still had an action to complete before it is was fully within their possession.
So from this point forward,
Romans 3:4 Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar. As it is written: "THAT YOU MAY BE JUSTIFIED IN YOUR WORDS, AND MAY OVERCOME WHEN YOU ARE JUDGED."
Isaiah 53:1 Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
Psalms 1:1-3 Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; (2) But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. (3) He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.
Psalms 20:7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the LORD our God..
So, today, which report are you going to believe? The one that has gone before you that has spread the word of Jesus' victory? The one that says He holds the keys to death and hell? Or the words of men that say the opposite of what the report of the Lord says?
And what did Moses say to Joshua before Moses' death?
Deuteronomy 31:8 "And the LORD, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed."
This weekend, concentrate on walking in the victory that is yours because of the life you have in Christ Jesus. Tell the enemy he has been stripped of power in your life because of the very blood of Jesus that has washed you clean. Tell the enemy he no longer has any place in your life and he is defeated!
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