No Turning Back
And it came to pass, when the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD were come up out of the midst of Jordan, and the soles of the priests’ feet were lifted up unto the dry land, that the waters of Jordan returned unto their place, and flowed over all his banks, as they did before. -Joshua 4:18
In two instances—when the people crossed the Red Sea, and when they crossed the River Jordan—God was showing His miraculous power for His people in moving forward. And in so doing, it was also clear that the people couldn’t go back the same way that they came.
Obedience brings protection
Many times in life, God makes provision for those that are willing to move forward and walk in His will. Notice in the description of the whole armor of God in Ephesians chapter 6, that there is nothing that’s meant to be a protection from behind. “Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked” (Ephesians 6:16). A shield can only be used properly if you’re facing your enemy, not if you’ve turned away.
In walking in God’s will, there is a special safety. He has a special way of orienting our path so that we will meet danger head-on, and not from the sides or back where we will be unprepared. He has made provision for us, and shields us from any flanking of the enemy.
For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield. -Psalms 5:12
Resistance against sin brings victory
Sometimes there can be something in our life that is hard to deal with: we want to sidestep the issue, or pretend it doesn’t exist. But God commands us repeatedly to take a stand against the devil, and against sin: starting in our own hearts, and in our own lives.
“In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.” -Hebrews 12:4 (ESV)
“Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” -James 4:7
“[R]esist [the devil] stedfast in the faith” -1 Peter 5:9
Yet in this fierce resistance, which is so clearly taught in the Bible, it should be made clear that it is spiritual, and not physical enemies. “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers . . . against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12).
When it comes to our physical struggles, it seems that the Lord gives us quite a different message. He is always reminding us that fellow man is not our enemy, but it is really the spiritual darkness that rests behind them that is our true enemy.
Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. -Matthew 5:38-40
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