And the Lord said to Joshua, “Do not fear them, for I have given them into your hands. Not a man of them shall stand before you.” (Joshua 10:8 ESV)
I coached football with a man who usually said, “All it takes is one point. A victory is a victory.” But then after ONE game, in which our team had been able to rack up a LOT of points… so many that the game was ended early, he said, “ok… THAT is really a victory!”
God’s promise to Joshua seems to acknowledge that. Joshua and his amateur army had won surprising victories. But this time, against the mighty Amorites, almost a local superpower, God promised a real victory. No nudging ahead in the last few seconds. No careful exertion of just enough power. No cautious battle, with the result only known as the last sword is swung.
God promises absolute, total, complete victory.
Because He can… and because He knew what a comfort that would be to Joshua.
We face superpowers, too. The enemies of God and His people (Ephesians 2:1-3) are experienced, intimidating, and tricky. But on that Old Rugged Cross, the flesh was overcome and is being transformed, the world was thrashed and is being transformed, and the devil was crushed.
And those victories were not careful, cautious, “just enough” victories.
Not an enemy remains standing.
Fear not, because God has won. REALLY won.