A CITY ON FIRE

Joshua 8:8 And it shall be, when ye have taken the city, that ye shall set the city on fire: according to the commandment of the LORD shall ye do. See, I have commanded you.

To my fellow reader, this word was made real to me as I read in Joshua 8 of the protocol that the army of Israel took when they conquered the cities that the Lord delivered unto them. They were called to put the city on fire when they conquered it.

The main cry from the hearts of the church that I heard all my life so far, was the cry for a revival. Rightfully so, we need a mighty touch, a consuming touch of God upon a people, that will cause knees to bow and tongues confess to Jesus’ Lordship!

We are truly on the verge of a mass outpouring from the heavenlies to not just one nation, but many worldwide!

Let us look back and see why God commanded Israel to put cities on fire when conquered.

Joshua 13:14 …the sacrifices of the LORD God of Israel made by fire are their inheritance…

Throughout the word of God in the Old Testament we see that when Israel over took a city, at the command of God, they burnt the city with fire. Many times, if not everyday, when the people were called to give a sacrifice unto the Lord was called to be burnt by fire. When the fire consumes the sacrifice, it results in a type of savoring smell and the smoke was even a sign of something consumed. Think of the time God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. That was the first account given of cities that were destroyed by fire from heaven and the smoke was a sign unto Abraham that God over took the city, destroying it completely due to its wickedness.

We all agree, as Disciples of Christ, that wickedness is not good, obviously, and judgment will fall where there is wickedness, and it surely will. However, I encourage us all to look at the spiritual implications we can receive now under New Covenant, from the times of conquering warfare God delivered through Israel.

I believe that spiritually, when Israel would burn the city not only was it a judgment of God upon a people who were counted as unrighteous and not in covenant with God, but the burning of the city was a massive offering given unto the Lord. An offering of Victory!

God is consumed in His own Glory! I believe if we ask God what He likes to do, the answer would be that He likes to Glorify Himself. Therefore God will deliver victory to those who desire it, only so, that He will receive the glory!

Of course God would give Israel any city that stood in their way, because He knew that the new generation under Joshua’s command will give God glory for each victory. Also, look in the book of Psalms as David, being a man of war, constantly gave God glory for each victory.

Now we cry for revival in the land! For cities to be put on fire! I believe it will happen only to a region that God knows will receive total the glory from it! Not for ones own self gain, or own church growth or kingdom development. Salvation is of the Lord! We are called to Repent for the Kingdom of God, (not self) is at hand! Matthew 3:2.

Joshua 8:4 And he commanded them, saying, Behold, ye shall lie in wait against the city, even behind the city: go not very far from the city, but be ye all ready:

I encourage us all who is praying for a mighty outpouring to take place in the region where we live, if not world wide, that God will pour down upon a people who is desperate for change according to God’s Word and Salvation and will give Him Glory! He desires to receive the offering of the victory of souls, into His Kingdom!

As we continue to wait upon the Lord in prayer and fasting, not wondering far from the place God wants to conquer through our lives, ready at all times on His command, we will see a city ambushed by the reviving and refining fire of God Almighty! May we be on fire to put the city on fire! That no matter where we go and who we meet, fire will spread! The fire of God's love, authority, Victory that is conquered in Jesus name!

Romans 8:37 in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

I encourage us all to just begin to give a big praise offering to God for the outpouring He will bring to a lost generation! Let every heart in all regions, in every nation, see and respond to submission to the conquering victories of the Lord! May the Almighty Living God set the cities on Fire!

Romans 4:11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

God Bless