In their journey to the Promised Land through three major military campaigns involving more than 30 enemy armies, Israel under Joshua’s capable leadership learnt that:

1. victory comes through faith in the living God; and
2. obedience to His word, rather than through military might or numerical superiority

This pattern repeats throughout the time of the kings of Israel and Judah, to wit David, Jehoshaphat and Hezekiah.

These basic truths are eternal and remain applicable in the lives of New Testament believers as reinforced by the Lord’s words in Luke 6:46-49 and Matthew 17:20-21, the latter indicating that the counterparts of prayer and fasting fatten or grow existing faith.

And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great. Luke 6:46-49

And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting. Matthew 17:20-21

Matthew 21:18-22 speaks to the connection between the spoken word as the declaration of believing faith and the result. Believing faith speaks things into life, and victory out of challenges and apparent defeat. Psalm 116:10 says, “I beieved, therefore have I spoken,” this is quoted again in 2 Corinthians 4:8-13.

We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. So then death worketh in us, but life in you. We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak. 2 Corinthians 4:8-13

Indeed throughout 2 Corinthians we learn about our call to faithfulness to Christ and to the integrity of His word, and not to self’s ability. Where is your strength dearly beloved saint? Selah


Pastor Afolabi Oladele