February 11...

Joshua 5:13-Joshua 10

The Battle Belongs to the LORD

Joshua was given the battle plan for the siege of Jericho by a messenger of God. The plan did not sound like it would work, but Joshua had learned that he had to trust God. He had learned that the battle was not his – the battle belonged to the LORD.

Trust and obey. The theme has repeated itself over and over throughout our readings in the Old Testament. After Jericho was destroyed, Joshua delivered a curse that Jericho was never to be rebuilt. Anyone who tried would pay dearly with his firstborn son and his youngest son. Why would it be a problem for someone to try to rebuild a city in this perfect spot along the trade route? [By the way, a guy by the name of Hiel tried to rebuild Jericho – and it didn’t go so well. See I Kings 16:34]

God had always required Israel to give their first fruits from their harvest which showed that they recognized God as their provider and that they trusted Him to take care of them. As they entered the Promised Land, Jericho was their first victory. All that was in Jericho – gold, silver, and bronze – was to be given to God as a first fruits offering as He commanded. There would be more victories and more gold, silver, and bronze – they just had to trust Him – and obey.

An intriguing storing is when the sun stood still... wow, that doesn't make sense! There was not enough time for that battle. The sun doesn't stand still.
What about gravity? Could it be that nothing is impossible for God? Could it be that when timing just isn't right in your life, that God can still make things right... if it's for His Honor and Glory?
When you go begging God for help... is it for your glory or His Glory? Is it to make Him more famous, or it is to make your life easier?

Think about it:
Are you, as a Christian, called into battle today? If so, how?
How do you confront evil in your world?
Do you remember that the battle is the LORD’s and wait for His direction or do you claim the battle as your own and try to do things your way?
Do you recognize that God is your provider or do you put faith in yourself to provide?
Do you give God your first fruits of your time, talents, money, etc. – or do you give Him your leftovers?
Do you depend on God to get you through, even if it doesn't make sense?
Where are you in your faith with God when a tough battle comes along? All in? Still waiting to decide? Somewhere in the middle?