JOSHUA CHAPTER THREE VERSE TEN (Part 2)
by Christian Nwokoye

GLORY TO THE MOST HIGH!

In my earlier message sent to you, [which, for clarity sake, I should now want us to regard as JOSHUA CHAPTER THREE VERSE TEN (Part 1)], we saw how it came to be that the Children of Israel, spearheaded by Joshua and Caleb, after the exit of the pioneer Leader, Moses, by the plains of Pisgah, were immensely strengthened and encouraged towards the ultimate and greatest challenges of all, indeed the very climax and pinnacle of their wilderness exploit experience for which the previous, varied experiences of the past decades were only  progressive, build-up processes that would culminate into, and hatch out the very thematic episodes whose resounding echoes would continually reverberate through all time and eternity!
And so it was, that, apart from the confrontations with, and the rapid-fire conquests and utter demolition of the massive forces and endless hostile chains of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Hivites, the Perizites, the Girgashites, the Amorites and the Jebusites, it was on this west side of the Jordan that the stage was set!  It was here that the LORD GOD designated Joshua as a STRATEGIST!  It was here that MAN made the impossible to happen; where victory over the power and might of the enemy came by remote control; where mere circumvention caused the entirety of formidably fortified and re-enforced, towering city-walls to quake from its very foundations and rumbled down, sunken down to ground-level; where, for the very first time ever, for the planetary motion of the universe, with all its awesome, mind-blowing complexities, to call a momentary halt, having met its equal in the commanding voice a man! (Josh 6 vs 8 -- 21; Josh 10 vs 12 - 14).

All these great and momentous, glorious feats and experiences were only made possible through situations that were preceding behind the ultimate, awesome displays. Situations, FROM EGYPT TO JORDAN!

Now, coming nearer home, let us always remember 'GETHSEMANE'.  Though it is never an attractive picture, particularly when we remember all the garnishing and trappings of Sunday morning church settings; the usual 'confetti' of "Hi's" thrown from one end of the church premises to the other, with faces full of smiles and warmth; the gentle pat on the shoulders...the 'togetherness' feelings that usually pervades within the four walls...the warm, comfortable cushioned and padded seats... and then, perhaps, the subconscious anticipation for the well-timed Sunday Roast  in the oven at home to synchronize with the final benediction from the officiating minister of the day.
"... As My Father hath sent me, even so send I you."- They are the words of our BIG BROTHER...THE SECOND PERSON OF THE GOD-HEAD...THE MASTER Himself! Except by some special grace from the Master, it could be a very lonely path indeed; when one has got to take the STAND all alone; when your mettle comes to the test; when the spot-light is turned on you; when your dearest friends and allies, loved ones, relations and well-wishers are beyond reach; when your 'life-support', inner-circle comrades, your 'Peter-James-And-John' (against their own will) become totally incapacitated, because then it is all about you - for your hour has come; when the very steering wheel of DESTINY is right within the grips of your hands! when all the eyes of the Heavenly Champions from the Heavenly Arena are all fixed on you!

In retrospect, therefore, my brethren, whether we find ourselves under the lime-light of the climactic glory of the Valley of Ajalon or under the pale, doleful, forlorn spotlight of Gethsemane, let us all recognize that it is indeed crucial, absolutely critical, to patiently follow through the build-up processes, the situations, whatever they may be, knowing that they will eventually instil into us the necessary fuel and ingredients that will ultimately support, re-enforce and fortify us at the moment of direst need, even as the initiating Master, Himself had it and succeeded, as a result of a preceding life of thorough discipline. As HE HIMSELF walked softly before HIM WHO alone is the righteous,JUDGE, (not walking according to the instigation or sway of the crowd), so we all owe it to Him to walk according to HIS blue print as ordained for each and everyone of us.For the art of combat is learnt from the school of jungle combat itself!  Even when under the glorious, blazing lime-light, we definitely need the 'double anointing' of discipline to save and deliver us from the heady wine of intoxication, the "Uzziah-syndrome," and keep us humble.

MAY THE LORD HELP US ALL