In what ways can we "take all the people of war" spiritually today? Joshua’s Call and Our Parallel “Then the LORD said to Joshua, ‘Do not be afraid or dismayed. Take all the people of war with you; arise, go up to Ai. See, I have delivered into your hand the king of Ai, his people, his city, and his land.’ ” (Joshua 8:1) Joshua was not told to select a handful of elite soldiers; he was to bring every fighting person. The whole covenant community was to move forward together, confident in God’s promise. That same pattern carries over into the New Testament call that every believer is a soldier in Christ’s army (2 Timothy 2:3–4; Ephesians 6:10–18). Recognizing the Spiritual Battlefield • The real conflict now is “against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12). • Victory is secured in Christ (Colossians 2:15), yet the fight for holiness, truth, and souls remains active until His return (1 Timothy 6:12). Who Are “the People of War” Today? • Every born-again believer—regardless of age, gifting, or role—has been enlisted (1 Peter 2:9). • Pastors and teachers equip; the entire body engages (Ephesians 4:11-12). • No spectator seats exist in the kingdom; “each part” must work properly (Ephesians 4:16). Practical Ways to Gather the Whole Army Corporate focus • Assemble consistently: “Do not neglect meeting together” (Hebrews 10:25). • Cultivate unity: “Stand firm in one spirit, contending together for the faith of the gospel” (Philippians 1:27). Collective prayer • Church-wide prayer meetings mirror Israel’s united march (Acts 4:24, 31). • Pray Scripture aloud, declaring God’s promises as Israel rehearsed God’s word before battle (Deuteronomy 31:6-8). Shared witness • Evangelism is a team effort (Luke 10:1). • Encourage one another to speak the gospel boldly—“Let the redeemed of the LORD say so” (Psalm 107:2). Mutual care • Bear one another’s burdens; this disables enemy footholds of isolation (Galatians 6:2). • Restoration of the straying is warfare against the prowling lion (James 5:19-20; 1 Peter 5:8-9). Inter-generational training • Older saints train younger warriors (Titus 2:2-7). • Children are taught early to know Scripture, just as the young Israelites marched with their parents (Deuteronomy 6:6-9). Engaging the Battle Equipment • Truth buckled on—daily meditation in God’s Word (Psalm 1:2–3). • Righteousness guarding the heart—quick repentance keeps armor intact (1 John 1:9). • Gospel shoes—readiness to step into conversations and service opportunities (Romans 10:15). • Shield of faith—active trust in every promise, especially when circumstances shout otherwise (Hebrews 11:33-34). • Helmet of salvation—fixed assurance of identity in Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:8). • Sword of the Spirit—verbatim Scripture recalled and declared (Matthew 4:4, 7, 10). • All-occasion prayer—continual radio contact with Command HQ (Ephesians 6:18). Staying in Step with the Commander • Follow the Spirit’s leading: “Since we live by the Spirit, let us walk in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25). • Obey promptly; delayed obedience cost Israel at Ai earlier (Joshua 7). • Celebrate victories together; Joshua built an altar after Ai (Joshua 8:30-31). New-covenant parallels include baptism testimonies and the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:26). Encouragement to Advance Together God still says, “Do not be afraid or dismayed.” When every believer steps onto the field—praying, speaking truth, serving, and loving—the church “takes all the people of war” into the fray. United obedience positions the whole body to see the Lord deliver strongholds into our hands, for His glory and the spread of the gospel. |
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