Todays' reading contains the account of more victories for the children of Israel as they defeat kingdom after kingdom. Their story shows that there's no giants, no kingdoms, no complexities too difficult for the Lord. If He fights for us, we can be confident He will give the victory!
I love how the Bible shares how the armies of the enemy were so great, they were like the sands of the sea, but God said, "Don't worry Joshua. I've got this!"
We also find the famous battle where Joshua commanded the sun to stand still! And the sun obeyed. It actually obeyed the command of Joshua! The Bible says there was never before a day like this, and there's never been one like it since. Wow!! Speaking of this amazing miracle and the defeat of the enemies that God had promised would occur, Ellen White writes the following:
Before the evening fell, God’s promise to Joshua had been fulfilled. The entire host of the enemy had been given into his hand. Long were the events of that day to remain in the memory of Israel. “There was no day like that before it or after it, that Jehovah hearkened unto the voice of a man: for the Lord fought for Israel.” “The sun and moon stood still in their habitation: at the light of Thine arrows they went, and at the shining of Thy glittering spear. Thou didst march through the land in indignation, Thou didst thresh the heathen in anger. Thou wentest forth for thesalvation of Thy people.” Habakkuk 3:11-13
The Spirit of God inspired Joshua’s prayer, that evidence might again be given of the power of Israel’s God. Hence the request did not show presumption on the part of the great leader. Joshua had received the promise that God would surely overthrow these enemies of Israel, yet he put forth as earnest effort as though success depended upon the armies of Israel alone. He did all that human energy could do, and then he cried in faith for divine aid. The secret of success is the union of divine power with human effort. Those who achieve the greatest results are those who rely most implicitly upon the Almighty Arm. The man who commanded, “Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon,” is the man who for hours lay prostrate upon the earth in prayer in the camp of Gilgal. The men of prayer are the men of power.
This mighty miracle testifies that the creation is under the control of the Creator. Satan seeks to conceal from men the divine agency in the physical world—to keep out of sight the unwearied working of the first great cause. In this miracle all who exalt nature above the God of nature stand rebuked. (From Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 508-509)I'm reminded again of Romans 8:31, "If God be for us, who can be against us?" Let's remember that with the trials we are facing today.
Tomorrow's Reading: Josh 12-15 and Romans 13
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