I once had to sign an Official Secrets Act. My lips are sealed about which country I worked for, but I will tell you that the information I had access to was nothing more sensitive than the number of bread rolls consumed by military units in a certain region. I worked in a ration office. So, spies, don’t bother trying to track me.

The two spies that Joshua sent into Jericho brought back far more helpful intelligence. They discovered that the city was terrified of Israel and God. The Canaanites had heard news about Israel’s crushing victories over Egyptians and Amorites, and the miracles that God had done for Israel. According to inside information provided by agent Rahab, Jericho was braced for a beating.

I know that the Lord has given you the land, and that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land have melted away before you. For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed. When we heard it, our hearts melted and no courage remained in any man any longer because of you; for the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath. (Josh. 2:9-11)

Centuries earlier, God had planned to place Israel in a strip of land between the Mediterranean Sea and the EuphratesRiver. The nation would be an instrument for spreading His kingdom worldwide. Whenever God commits to a plan, nothing can stop it. Even, the melting of Canaanite hearts was predicted forty years earlier when Israel stepped up from the Red Sea (Exodus 15:15). Canaan should have bowed to the unstoppable will of God.

The enemy knows God’s irresistible determination. The crushing defeat of sin and death on an old rugged cross still haunts Satan. Demons are astute theologians; they understand the truth and they tremble.1

But do you and I know that they tremble? If the king of Jericho had captured Joshua’s spies, the Israelites would never have known the extent to which fear had paralyzed Jericho. If the ruler of darkness can keep Jesus’ followers in the dark, then he makes their battles so much harder. That is why Satan pursues anyone who recognizes the extent of Jesus’ victory and who is in a position to proclaim that victory to others.

Now that the secret is out, make sure that you keep reading the biblical intelligence reports about the victory and unswerving purposes of God. Get the truth about the condition of the enemy clear in your mind. Let that truth produce a new boldness to march into whatever God has called you to. Feed the information to as many people as you can and do prayer warfare for the spies who spread the good news to others in the King’s army.

The goal of Bible Maturity is to promote spiritual growth and faith in God. Please share these short Bible devotions with your friends and family and pray for revival.

1. James 2:19. [↩]