Thursday, January 14: Joshua 10: God wins.

 

This breathtaking chapter condenses time and many battles into a brief narrative, showing that God is in control. In the center of the chapter is the amazing account where God alters the routine of evening and morning by allowing the sun to remain in the sky throughout a full day evening and day again. God does this so that His army can totally destroy an attacking pact of nations.

From the human vantage point, creating an alliance to increase forces in order to defeat invading Israel was a stroke of genius. Unfortunately, the wisdom of man is no match for the wisdom and might of Almighty God. For the Lord this alliance simply enabled Israel to defeat 5 kingdom cities in one battle, multiplying Israel’s (i.e. God’s) military effectiveness. In order to get the job done, God slides His hand into the universe, holding the sun in place when it should have set.

We serve a mighty God! Even the laws of the universe obey Him! What an encouragement that must have been for the army of Israel. I cannot even imagine what that would do for the moral of those opposing Israel. It could even be said that that miraculous and decisive defeat created a plague of despair that allowed Israel to slice through the southern kings with ease.

Thoughts spring around my mind. First what the enemy meant for harm, God changed to produce good. The enemy thought multiplying numbers would defeat Israel but God used it to establish His name and provide a decisive victory! God affects outcomes. Learn that lesson well.

Secondly, God works all things for the good for those who follow Him. Paul says it masterfully in Romans 8:28, We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. This chapter is an amazing illustration of that truth.

Lastly, I am reminded that God wins. No matter the seeming odds against God and His people, God wins. It is true in this reading and it will be true when Jesus returns to restore all things, to defeat the enemy for all time, and to establish His kingdom for eternity. God wins! May that give faith and courage to you and me as we live this day for Jesus, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords…

O, God, today or tomorrow I will face a situation that looks impossible. It may be an internal issue of sin that I deal with or it may be a spiritual issue in my workplace. Whatever it may be, I can grow disheartened. I can become faint and prone to give up, to not pursue You or Your will in the situation. Remind me what Joshua faced.  Remind me that when I am doing Your bidding, no enemy is too big, no time to short and no odds against are to high to thwart Your will from being done. Yes, You win! Alleluia, Amen!