DATE: 9th January, 2023
TOPIC: THE LORD FIGHTS OUR BATTLES
TEXT: Joshua 10:1-11
KEY VERSE: Joshua 10:10
“And the LORD discomforted them before Israel, and slew them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, and chased them along the way that goeth up to Bethhoron, and smote them to Azekah, and unto Makkedah.”.
The modern state of Israel was born on May 14, 1948. Before the celebration of their statehood ended, five mechanised Arab armies invaded it. The Jews had only 35000 fighting men, no air force (except a small training plane out of which the pilot dropped a grenade), and only six tanks. The Egyptian army alone had 40000 soldiers, 135 tanks, heavy guns and an air force of over 60 planes, including Spitfires and bombers. The Jordanians had the Arab Legion, which were trained by the British. Yet, against all odds, the Jewish fighters won. Many of Israel’s battles were fierce and would have been lost but for divine intervention.
Today’s text is an intriguing narrative of how the four confederate nations and their kings, led by Adonizedek, king of Jerusalem, were defeated. Israel enlisted support from the Lord, the God of battles. Earlier, Adonizedek had led a punitive mission against the city of Gibeon to serve as deterrence to other Amorite cities planning to make peace with Israel.
They thought they would be stronger together as a force united against a common enemy; but the Lord fought for Israel and crushed them. More people were killed through hailstones than by the sword. One unmistakable fact in this passage is that God was fighting for Israel. His supernatural and wonderful presence with them determined the outcome of the battle.
Battles and troubles are unavoidable experiences in life. God has promised to fight our battles if only we can hand them over to Him and stop worrying. Joshua would have been paralysed by fear considering the sheer number of enemies which confronted him. But he trusted God and was not disappointed.
When all else fails and our efforts and resources prove too few and feeble, we should hand over our battles to God and watch Him defend us.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
When God fights your battles, you can never be a loser.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Genesis 26-28
