Daniel Fast- Called to Fight Until VictorySýnishorn

Day 18: Breaking All the Strongholds

“The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”

2 Corinthians 10:4-5

The Israelites journeyed through the wilderness for forty years, a lengthy trek that could have taken merely 11 days (Deuteronomy 1:2-3). Let's stop and think about why this happened. Was it enemies or dire circumstances? What prevented them from taking the inheritance?

The answers lie not in external circumstances but internal thinking—their prevailing mindsets, deeply ingrained strongholds that became their refuge. They lingered on the mountain, hesitating to venture into the land flowing with "milk and honey" (Deuteronomy 1:6, Exodus 3:8). While we may marvel or even criticize the Israelites, the truth is that we, too, sometimes circle the same strongholds—zones of disobedience, rebellion, fear, and doubt. Instead of progressing, we find ourselves ensnared in repetitive patterns, delaying victories that could have been swift. The older generation failed to envision the future promised by the Lord; their thoughts, conversations, and actions were anchored in the bondage of Egypt. Lacking trust in the Lord and His promises, they sent spies to investigate the land (Deuteronomy 1:20-21). Despite the land's evident beauty (Deuteronomy 1:25, 14:7-8), the majority's fear of the formidable inhabitants led them to view themselves as mere locusts (Numbers 13:34).

Self-centeredness, rather than God-centeredness, and a focus on circumstances over God’s promises obscured the promise from the older generation's sight. Despite being destined to enter prosperous cities and partake in blessings from the Almighty (Deuteronomy 6:10-11), they resisted, forsook their God, and vented grievances, doubting their capability (Deuteronomy 1:26-28). Submitting to the fear propagated by the majority, their unbelief and rebellion forfeited the promised land. God's response was swift, with punishment (Numbers 14:26-35) and death for those who spread panic (Numbers 14:36-38). Subsequently, attempting to rectify their error, the Israelites suffered a devastating defeat in battle, having ventured without God (Numbers 14:39-45, Deuteronomy 1:41-46).

The underlying issue wasn't God's promise but the restless thinking and strongholds within the people. Our internal struggles, contradictions, and sins are formidable foes, surpassing any external challenge. Galatians 5:17 underscores this inner conflict, stating, "The flesh desires contrary to the spirit, and the spirit contrary to the flesh: they contradict each other so that you do not do what you would." This internal battle, the clash between the old and the new, the flesh and the spirit, is universally experienced. The new generation, tasked with entering the promised land, was not reliant on their merit but on God's promise. To inherit Canaan, they had to traverse the Jordan waters and conquer the Jericho fortress. They needed to abandon the old, embrace the new, and draw near to God on His terms, leaving behind desolate, slavish, self-centered thinking. Every stronghold of disobedience, rebellion, fear, insecurity, and doubt had to be dismantled. Jericho, the initial target, stood as an occultic stronghold, a city entirely occupied by the enemy. Despite its formidable, double-walled structure, God's strategy was unconventional—no weapons, military tactics, or siege plans. The people were to march around the city in silence for six days and, on the seventh day, encircle it seven times, shouting on the last trumpet blast. The walls would crumble, and the city would be wholly devoted to the Lord (Joshua 6). By faith, Jericho fell, demonstrating the Lord's victory.

Similar to the fall of Jericho, God desires to liberate us from everything that enslaves us and dismantle strongholds and fortresses the enemy erects within our hearts. He seeks to free us from legalism, selfishness, and dependence on fleshly desires, yearning for our complete surrender to Him. In moments of fleshly rebellion, when resistance seems insurmountable, we must remember that we died in Christ and were resurrected to new life. Our victory over sin and strongholds has been secured. In Christ, we are dead to sin and alive to God (Romans 6:11-13). However, breaking strongholds is not a solitary endeavor; the Holy One fights for us, and victory is already won through Jesus. It is by His power, the Holy Spirit's force against the desires of the flesh, that we prevail (Romans 8:5-13), living in accordance with the Spirit rather than the flesh (Galatians 5:16, 25).

The flesh offers nothing but enslavement, pain, suffering, and stifled spiritual life. Despite this, we often gravitate back to it, similar to the Israelites yearning for Egypt, forgetting their past enslavement, beatings, and hopelessness. Egypt is behind us, Jericho's fortresses are destroyed, and we step into a new land, relishing the blessings of life with the Lord.

“So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.”

Galatians 4:7

Reflection Questions:

1. What things from your past life are pulling you back?

2. What in the present denies you peace, robs your joy, and instills fear and trembling?

3. What internal struggles are you contending with today? What strongholds of your mind need demolition to fully embrace spiritual blessings?

4. Pause and seek God's guidance for a warfare strategy to expel every enemy from your heart, allowing only His rule to prevail.

Prayer:

1. For complete freedom from the strongholds of the enemy.
2. That the sports ministry leaders will not walk according to flesh.
3. For Latin America – may they see multiplication of teams and disciples in the world of sport, play, and fitness.