Taking the Lord (Joshua 10-11)
The promises of God never fail. Indeed, as Joshua continued to lead the people, God’s promise to give them the land of Canaan came true. God’s intervention and faithful provision were unmistakable as He fought for the Israelites in every battle to take the Promised Land.
How do we see God’s omnipotence at work in today’s Bible passage? How do we see Joshua’s faith at work?
In Joshua 10, the Lord spoke directly to Joshua to instill comfort and confidence and to remind him that the Lord had already established victory for His people. God brought destruction on His enemies by throwing them into confusion, leading them to run away in panic, striking them down with hailstones, and causing the sun to stand still so His people could win the battle. Following this, even more armies rallied their forces against Israel. But God promised Joshua that all of Israel’s opponents would soon be killed (Joshua 11:6). God proved Himself all-powerful by intervening against the forces of both man and nature to grant His people victory in battle.
Joshua took God at His Word and faithfully fulfilled his role as Israel’s leader. Joshua moved in confident submission toward the things of the Lord and trusted in God’s promised deliverance. Scripture even tells us that on a day like no other, Joshua asked the Lord for the sun to be still, and God listened to His servant! Joshua trusted in God’s promise of victory and led the Israelites to do the same.
Consider what an act of faith it was for God’s people to fight each battle, one city at a time, trusting God’s promises despite the opposition ahead. The belief that God is all-powerful not only aided the Israelites in their mission to conquer the land; it also serves to encourage us as we live by faith and not by sight. God trampled over the Israelites’ flesh-and-blood enemies. He has likewise vanquished the powers of sin and darkness by sending His Son. Lead the boys and girls in your care to see the power of God who fights on our behalf and the love of His Son who died on the cross in our place and rose again.
Christ Connection: God fought for Israel, and all their enemies were defeated. Jesus lived a sinless life and defeated our enemies—sin and death—when He died on the cross. If we believe in Him, we receive His righteousness.
