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Scriptures: Psalm 35:1, Isaiah 49:25-26 and Joshua 10:24
Introduction
Life often presents challenges that seem insurmountable. Sometimes, these challenges come in the form of opposition, obstacles, or even unseen spiritual battles. For many, these battles create limitations, barriers to progress, fulfillment, and purpose. But God promises to contend with those who contend against us. This assurance is not just a poetic statement but a profound truth rooted in the very character of God.
Psalm 35:1 declares, “Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me.”Isaiah 49:25-26 reinforces this promise, saying, “Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken, and the prey of the tyrant be rescued; for I will contend with those who contend with you, and I will save your children.” These scriptures are a powerful reminder that the limitations others try to impose on us whether physical, emotional, or spiritual cannot stand when the Lord fights for us.
The Nature of Contention
To grasp the depth of these promises, it’s crucial to understand the word “contend.” In Psalm 35:1, the Hebrew word רִיב (riv) is used, meaning “to plead a case” or “to fight.” It evokes the image of a legal advocate in a courtroom or a warrior on a battlefield. David, in his plea, is asking God to step in as both his Advocate and Defender against those who seek to harm him.
Similarly, Isaiah 49:25-26 portrays God as the ultimate Rescuer, one who liberates captives and reclaims what the enemy has stolen. The word captives comes from the Hebrew שְׁבִי (shevi), which refers to prisoners of war, while prey (טָרַף, taraph) symbolizes the spoils taken by oppressors. These terms highlight God’s active involvement in reversing injustices and restoring freedom to His people.
God’s Commitment to Fight for You
When God promises to contend for us, He is making a covenantal declaration. This is not a passive commitment but an active, intentional engagement on behalf of His people.
Throughout Scripture, we see God stepping in to fight battles that seemed impossible. When the Israelites stood before the Red Sea, pursued by Pharaoh’s army, Moses declared, “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still” (Exodus 14:14). In that moment, God not only parted the sea but also destroyed their enemies. This event exemplifies God’s ability to remove limitations and obliterate the forces that contend against His people.
Breaking the Limitations
Limitations can come in various forms—external barriers, internal fears, or spiritual attacks. External limitations are those imposed by others or by circumstances beyond our control. Internal limitations, on the other hand, often stem from doubt, fear, or feelings of inadequacy.
The story of Nehemiah rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls illustrates how God enables His people to overcome external limitations. Nehemiah faced intense opposition from Sanballat and Tobiah, who sought to discourage and hinder the work (Nehemiah 4:1-9). Yet, through prayer and action, Nehemiah and his team completed the wall, proving that no opposition can stand against a God-ordained mission.
Internal limitations are equally powerful but often more subtle. Gideon’s story in Judges 6 highlights this struggle. When God called him to deliver Israel, Gideon’s response was marked by self-doubt: “My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family” (Judges 6:15). Yet, God saw him as a mighty warrior and equipped him for the task. This transformation demonstrates that God not only removes external barriers but also equips us to overcome the internal ones.
God’s Tools for Removing Limitations
God uses specific tools and strategies to remove limitations. One of the most powerful is His Word. Scriptures like Isaiah 54:17 “No weapon formed against you shall prosper” serve as declarations of victory. These truths are not just comforting words but spiritual weapons that dismantle barriers.
Another tool is the anointing of God, described in Isaiah 10:27: “The yoke will be destroyed because of the anointing.”The anointing represents God’s power and presence, which breaks every chain and dismantles every stronghold.
God also uses worship as a means of removing limitations. In Acts 16, Paul and Silas were imprisoned, their movement restricted, and their future uncertain. Yet, as they worshiped, God caused an earthquake that broke their chains and opened the prison doors. Worship, in this sense, is not just an act of devotion but a declaration of God’s authority over every limitation.
Living Without Limitations
To live without limitations is to walk in the freedom and authority that God provides. This requires active faith, obedience, and a willingness to step into the opportunities God places before us.
Faith is not passive; it demands action. James 2:26 reminds us, “Faith without works is dead.” When God removes a limitation, we must have the courage to step forward. Imagine a bird trapped in a cage. When the door is opened, the bird must fly out to experience freedom. Similarly, when God breaks our chains, we must move forward in faith.
Obedience is another critical element. In 2 Chronicles 20, when King Jehoshaphat faced a vast army, God instructed the Israelites to position themselves and watch His deliverance. Their obedience allowed them to witness a miraculous victory without lifting a weapon.
Theological Depth of Contending
God’s promise to contend for us reflects His unchanging character. He is a covenant-keeping God who acts in accordance with His nature. Romans 8:33-34 describes Christ as our intercessor, using the Greek word ἐντυγχάνω (entynchano), meaning “to plead on behalf of another.” This reinforces the image of God as both our Advocate and Defender.
Furthermore, God’s ultimate act of contending was through Jesus Christ, who defeated sin, death, and every spiritual power on the cross. Colossians 2:15 declares, “Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.”
Put your feet on the Neck of the Enemy.
Joshua 10:24: "When they had brought these kings to Joshua, he summoned all the men of Israel and said to the army commanders who had come with him, 'Come here and put your feet on the necks of these kings.' So they came forward and placed their feet on their necks." (NIV)
When God promises to contend for us, He is making a covenantal declaration. This is not a passive commitment but an active, intentional engagement on behalf of His people.
The story of Joshua provides a striking example of this truth. In Joshua 10:24, after capturing five Amorite kings, Joshua summoned the commanders of Israel’s army and instructed them to place their feet on the necks of the defeated kings. This act symbolized complete victory, authority, and dominion. It was a declaration that the once-formidable enemies were now powerless under God’s sovereignty.
This event was not just about physical conquest; it was a prophetic statement of God’s promise to give His people dominion over their enemies. The scene foreshadows the spiritual victory believers have in Christ, as affirmed in Romans 16:20: “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.”
Breaking the Limitations
The act of placing their feet on the necks of the kings serves as a vivid reminder that every limitation the enemy tries to impose fear, doubt, spiritual opposition is destined to be under the feet of God’s people.
1. Victory Over Fear
In Joshua 10:8, God assured Joshua, “Do not be afraid of them; I have given them into your hand. Not one of them will be able to withstand you.” Fear, a common limitation, must bow under the authority of God’s Word.
Imagine the scene: commanders standing over the kings, feet firmly planted on their necks, declaring that what once threatened them was now powerless. As believers, we too must declare that fear, doubt, and anxiety have no place in our lives.
2. A Prophetic Act of Authority
The act in Joshua 10:24 prefigures the victory Christ secured for believers. Paul’s words in Romans 16:20 confirm this: “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.”
This is not just a promise for a distant future; it is a reality believers can walk in today. Through Christ’s victory on the cross, we have authority over every spiritual stronghold and opposition. “No weapon formed against you shall prosper”(Isaiah 54:17).
3. Faith in God’s Power
Just as Joshua trusted God to deliver the enemy into Israel’s hands, we too must trust that God fights for us. The challenges we face, be they spiritual strongholds, emotional battles, or physical trials are opportunities for God to demonstrate His power.
Picture this: You stand over the very thing that once sought to destroy you, financial struggles, depression, or generational curses. With unwavering confidence, you declare, “You are defeated in the name of Jesus!” This is the reality of living under God’s dominion.
The story of Joshua and the promise in Romans are not just historical events or theological concepts; they are practical truths for daily living.
Declare Victory: Speak God’s Word over your situation. Whatever tries to rise against you must bow to the authority of Christ within you.
Stand in Authority: Like Joshua’s commanders, take your place of authority. Recognize that you are more than a conqueror through Christ (Romans 8:37).
Live Without Fear: Remember God’s words to Joshua: “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Be strong and courageous” (Joshua 10:25).
Joshua’s act of placing feet on the necks of the kings is not just a symbol of Israel’s victory but a prophetic declaration for believers today. The enemy’s attempts to limit, oppress, or destroy you have no power when you stand in Christ’s authority.
Imagine yourself in Joshua’s place. The challenges that once seemed overwhelming are now beneath your feet, powerless and defeated. That is the power of living without limitations. It is not a concept; it is a reality for those who trust in God’s promises.
Conclusion
God’s promise to contend with those who contend against you is a guarantee of victory and an invitation to live without limitations. It is a call to trust Him as our Defender, to rely on His Word, and to walk boldly in faith. The battles we face are not ours alone; they belong to the Lord. Just as Joshua’s commanders stood victorious over their enemies, so too can you stand victorious over fear, doubt, and every spiritual opposition.
This is the year of “No Limitations.” This is a declaration that no enemy, no obstacle, no internal fear can stop God’s purposes for your life. The Lord is your Advocate, your Warrior, and your Deliverer. Stand firm, and watch Him remove every barrier, break every chain, and destroy every limitation. God will contend for you. Victory is already assured. The God who crushed kings under the feet of Israel and promised to crush Satan under your feet is the same God who fights for you today. Walk boldly, live victoriously, and declare with confidence: “The battle belongs to the Lord, and my enemies are under my feet!”
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