top of page
Allen Domelle

Places of Spiritual Battles


Joshua 12:8

In the mountains, and in the valleys, and in the plains, and in the springs, and in the wilderness, and in the south country; the Hittites, the Amorites, and the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites:

In order to take the Promised Land that was given to Israel by God, they had battles in every imaginable place. Joshua led these battles in the mountains, and in the valleys, and in the plains, and in the springs, and in the wilderness. Each of these places where Joshua fought a battle represents places of battles that every believer will have to fight. These places are critical to possessing the Promised Land of God’s will for your life. If you want to live in the will of God your entire life, these are the places of battles that you will fight regularly so that you can stay in God’s will.

The mountains are the first place of battle. The mountains represent great spiritual victories. Many people have had great spiritual victories only to lose the battle of the mountaintops to pride and satisfaction. Just because you won a battle does not mean your battles are done. You must beware that after every great victory is another battle against pride, discouragement, or apathetic attitude that you don't need to conquer more. Just because you have conquered one mountain does not mean there are not more to conquer. Never stop conquering after a great spiritual victory.

The valleys are the second place of battle. The valleys represent low times of life. You cannot live on the mountaintop perpetually, but you must walk through the valleys in order to enjoy the mountaintop. However, it is in the valleys of life where you will enjoy God’s presence the most. Don’t let your valleys become a quitting point because there are great mountaintops to enjoy if you keep going.

The plains are the third place of battle. The plains represent the times when the newness wears out. In between the excitement of the newness and the mountaintop are the plains where you must keep doing right. These are the times when nothing special is happening, but you must keep doing what you are supposed to do despite the lack of the euphoria of the mountaintop and the excitement of the start. Your true Christian character is determined by what you do when the newness wears out. Never let the plains of the spiritual walk be an invitation to stop pursuing what you initially stepped out to do.

The springs are the fourth place of battle. The springs represent the time of blessings. Many have acquired the blessings of God only to focus on the blessing instead of staying focused on God and the task of continually serving Him. Many have backslid in the time of blessings because they forgot the God who gave them the blessing. Rejoice and thank God when the blessings come, but never let the blessings be the catalyst that causes you to stop moving forward by faith.

The wilderness is the fifth place of battle. The wilderness represents those times when nothing seems to be happening in your life. These are the times when your prayers don't seem to be answered, the souls you are leading to Christ are not coming to church, or the church attendance seems to be stagnant. In the dry times of life, keep pursuing. The wilderness is God’s proving ground to see if you are serious about serving Him and acquiring His blessing. You will find the blessings will fall again if you don't quit in the wilderness.

Comments


bottom of page