We must fight to enter Canaan. Under Moses, God delivered the Israelites from the bondage of Egypt. He brought them to Himself on eagles' wings. Israel did not have to fight in order to escape Egypt.

But after Moses died and the crown of anointing passed to Joshua, God spoke of the Israelites invading Canaan on their feet.

We do not have to fight in order to come out of Egypt (out of the world, to speak figuratively). But in order to enter Canaan we must enter warfare. God will not do all the fighting and we cannot achieve victory by ourselves. We must learn how to follow the Lord and work with Him if we are to accomplish the goals the Lord has set before us.

Notice that Paul spoke of our discipleship as being a race and also a warfare.

Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. (I Corinthians 9:24)

Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. (II Timothy 2:3)

Being forgiven and brought spiritually to the right hand of the Father obviously is only part of the whole plan of redemption. God's grace in bringing us to Himself must be followed by grace that operates to guide us all the way from the world to the fullness of our inheritance. Otherwise our inheritance remains a vision in the mind of God. The actual goals are not realized.

Whoever would be a victorious saint must learn the balance of resting in God, on the one hand, and pressing forward in the Lord, on the other hand.

It is "the sword of the Lord and of Gideon." God has to do His part and we have to do our part. God will not redeem us with no effort on our part.

We must know when to rest in the Overcomer, Christ, and when it is our turn to overcome through the Spirit of the Lord.

A study of the life of King David, the way in which he fought his battles, is an illustration of the proper manner in which to march forward in the plan of redemption. David looked to the Lord for each battle. He did not rely on prior victories. God would lead David one way, and then another, but always to victory.

There is a time to stand still and see the salvation of the Lord. There is a time to march around the wall. There is a time to set an ambush. There is a time to wait for the sound of the army of the Lord.

Victory comes only as two armies march, the army of saints (the Lord's judges) with the army of angels led by Michael.

We are not to rush out "in faith." We are to look to the Lord and very carefully, very prayerfully, take one step at a time. We are to commit all our ways to the Lord. Sometimes we must make a decision and the Lord does not tell us exactly what to do. In that case we must proceed with utmost caution, watching carefully the results of our actions.

To be continued.