Joshua 8:18 And the Lord said unto Joshua, Stretch out the spear that is in thy hand toward Ai; for I will give it into thine hand. And Joshua stretched out the spear that he had in his hand toward the city.
The city of Ai, that earlier routed Israel, was now under attack again, but this time under God’s command and direction. When the army began its ambush and attack, Joshua was told to stretch out the spear in his hand toward the city. As soon as he responded in faith and obedience, the army prevailed and took the city.
This event would have reminded Joshua of the battle he led against the Amalekites in the wilderness. At the time, when Moses lifted up his arms the army prevailed. Outwardly, to human reason, there is no obvious cause and effect relationship between holding up arms or holding out a spear and winning a battle. But inwardly, it was a matter of trust and obedience, doing what God says. In the heavenly realm God sees the response and acts in the earthly realm to win the battle. And so we march from victory unto victory.
To human reason it doesn’t make sense that the sacrifice of the Son of God on the cross should bring victory and joy into our lives. But it does. Jesus was obedient unto death, stretched out his arms, and died. Surprise to the visible and invisible world! This obedience brought the enduring spiritual warfare to a victorious conclusion. It is finished! Surrender to God’s will is the key to a joyous and victorious life. We may not get the connection of the cross and the tomb to my life and death, but faith sees.
We can’t see the connection between our daily problems and taking up the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Hold up the words of Scripture and point it toward the issues in your life. The Word works. Believe it. Joshua didn’t argue with the Lord and say, “Why do that?” He just believed and did it.