Joshua 11

Micah and I have been reading through the book of Joshua in our morning devotional time for school. I have really been struck by the parallels between the conquering of Caanan and our own spiritual warfare as we fight the flesh and the old nature.
In Joshua 11, a coalition of kings comes against Israel to fight. God assures Joshua of victory in the battle . In addition to fighting and conquering the attacking kings, Joshua turns and attacks Hazor. Verse 10 says "Then Joshua turned back at that time and captured Hazor and struck its king with the sword for Hazor formerly was the head of all these kingdoms." Joshua knew that it wasn't enough to establish victory in the fruit of the problem. If he wanted to permanently hold the land, he needed to destroy the head.
I think I miss this often, and attack the fruit of the issue rather than dealing with the ruling sin that produced the issue.

Only Jesus

I was reading in John 18 and was particularly struck by verses 18-19. Pilate is offering to release Jesus, but the people cry out for Barabbas. Following their cry is Scripture's declaration: "Now Barabbas was a robber".
Isn't it the truth that whenever we choose something or someone over Jesus, that thing or person is a robber? Jn. 10:14 "The thief does not come except to steal,and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly". I'm not sure why I can't seem to grasp this when all the little decisions (and the big ones) of life present themselves. It is a daily struggle to choose Jesus and not the robbers, but I don't always see that that's the choice being made.